The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-07-24

10 her. we dop't wa nj q s'press her.
understa n. nerely to-er-to miti-
gate her, 20 70 speaks
Again the post ofYice door opened,
and again she OF the auburn hair is
sued an ultimatum.
| "Such OF you as expect any mail
may come in now-single file. remem-
Der. No. Thomas Kctrhun.~ holding
up a warning hand. you amt even
had a circular from a whisky-house
in q year Yon stay out"
but 1 want some terbacker," ex-
postulatcd the man.
'-Wait till the mails distributed"
she snapped I'm not a sforekeeper
now; Pm the gov'ment's representa-
tive"
The last letter and paper were
handed ont 10 the file that came and
went, but the crowd ioitered outside
as moral support to Tom. who en-
tered last and alone. The minutes
went by. but no sound was heard
from within.
Il tell We, boys" gloated Jack,
Toms the one for Miss Merry. He'll
give her just that mixcher o. firm
ness an blarney that.l cam even a
red-headed woman. Why amt we
thought % this afore? While he's
courtin' her, we boys kin hev some
liberties when we come To town
The door opened with explosive
suddenness. Tom. with petriiied face
came hastily down the steps. and Miss
Merry appeared so quickly behind
him as to almost tread ON his spurs.
IF any Of you men want 70 buy
goods hero, come on, II not, get
away from my premises" Her square
jaws fairly snapped shut. ''And il
your business is done, get back to
work. Towns no place for you,"
And Toms spirit was broken. He
took his share of the work in dull,
dogged manner that hurt his fellows
Whatever Miss Merry had said or done
had been as an acid that bites deeply.
A smothered aversion to the woman
came to life, and among those who
frequented waxhaw. and loitered to
trade with Miss Merry and listen TO
her vinegary speeches. the Flying
Flag men were conspicuously abb
sent. One usually transacted business
for the outfit, and even his visit was
brief
At first Miss Merry ignored the abb
sePce Of the Flying Flag" contin-
gent. but finally curiosity failing
common even to goddesses-mast
her. She WINS handing sheaf Of mail
across the counter TO Timber Jack.
The Flying Flag seems to he Civ
ing us a needed rest she observed
sarcastically. HAS the foreman
really got them TO work at last?-
They're mostly tal<in' turns at
nursin' Tom ketchnm in their spare
Time" answered Jack. nonchalantly,
as he slowed away the mail.
.What ails Ketchum?" she queried.
a shade of interest crossing her face.
Seems TO hcv been breakin' down
fer the las three months replied
Jack. Acts jest like man | knew
at got clawed up with a wheat. an
los his sprrret. Sos when a cayuse
at Tom was breakin' fell on him two
weeks ago. an smashed some ribs,
he kind a. give up an got fever.
We boys don't know much TO do; but
Bob Nermillion. ats been boss
doctor. he fixes up some mashcs now
an then. Were all sorry
"A horsc-doctor. What a pack Of
fools" scolded Miss Merry. You'll
kill him amongst YOU
T., .. a T.
and draw led. gently, ~oh. no. Miss
Merry; his death won't be at our
door. We all knows what's killed |
Tom. He allays had more backbone |
an life than any man on the range. !
and no man er gang O. men could do
him up hathaway"
'.Who's that?- asked Sam. later In !
the day, pointing across the prairie.
A blackboard drawn by a rangy sor-
rel was approaching.
rig b'longs TO the estin'house - /
waxhaw.- said Jack, but 1 can't see
who's drivin..-
just then a turn Of the road !
broIgit the slanting sun direct on
the figure On the drivers seat. IL
WAS Wonnn. anu even AT rnat dis
lance they could see the CLINT Of
FURNISHED copper.
'.Miss Merry jaculated Bob. "Now
were in fer it.-
II don't see it hathaway answered
Jack. cycling the approaching figure
stern'y. --Wee'l meet her in a body.
an ca'mly ask her to 60 back TO
Waxhaw. whar her talents1l he more
Toms he'd 'nough o. fe-
male wiI-cats.-
A Miss Merry jumped nimbly to the
ground in front Of the group. Jack
advanced frife-
1--WE boys thirk ye'd better 90 back.
Miss Nervy-meanin' no disrespec.'
They amt nothin' fer We to do here"
For brief moment only Miss Merry
cokcd at Jack. but twas long enough
10 shriyel him into nothingness.
lyon boys Think" The repetition
was snarled with telling effect. Turn
ng- she drew bulky package from
Under the seat Of the blackboard.
You boys have been thinking good
while, and now suppose you do some