The Laclede blade., 1903-05-02
CHAPTER III.
V1IAI Z IN III.
OFF FOR THE HOP-FIELDS.

Nv
craft was saying as the three
trudged slowly in the blazing su1
across the meadow towards the city
"The mill where I've been workin
these six years, an where Jim's just
startin' in, has shut down month
for repairs, so we're gettin' holiday
Ma always goes pickin' hops, an
Mame-she's my sister-but Jim an
me, we amt so lucky every year."
you like it, then?" inquired Ros'
sitter.
you'd better believe I do. Sod
you if you were shut up in a mill all
the rest of the time"
Haven't you a good position?"
ooh, yes, I'm not kiclin'. I'm
under-overseer in the cardin'-room.
I'll get to be overseer, perhaps, one
of these days, an then" He broke
off. There was a happy look in his
eyes and he gave little laugh, while
Jim chuckled audibly.
"What are you snickerin' at, you
young jay?" cried his brother, MAX
ing a pretense of being provoked,
and vainly trying to cuff the offender.
The more Rossiter talked with the
elder Becraft the more did he grow to
respect, if not to admire, him, he
was so wholly natural, so independ-
ent, so self-poised, and yet so en-
tirely without conceit. He was un-
educated, save in rudimentary way,
having been the mainstay of the fam
lily for eight years, yet he kept him
self informed on the topics of the
day, and had his opinions on public
affairs, which were more free from
bias than the views held by most Of
those in his station in life. Crude
he was, but earnest, frank and warm
hearted, and Rossiter was shamed
when he contrasted his own weak
ness and lack of purpose with this
young fellows unassuming strength.
AS the three reached the square
beyond the railway tracks, Rossiter
noticed that Joe Becraft was begin
ming to lag and show signs of ex-
haustion.
you'd better have drink Of
whisky to brace you up he said.
"a milk-shake will do the busi-
ness" Becraft replied. "It's too hot
for whisky. May be you'd like a nip,
though" he added, with a peculiar
sidelong glance, which the vagrant
caught. 1t was as though the young
er man was surmising what the
elders habits might be.
ooh, no." Rossiter said, not be-
traying the fact that he noticed Be-
crafts scrutiny, "I'm not much on
whisky myself. I like little beer
low and again, however"
eyes, beer amt bad, but the shake
s what I need now. l feel bit
empty"
They stopped at small corner
lrug store, where all three had the
rink which Joe Becraft craved,
hough the clerk looked askance |
When he came to serve Rossiter.
"My mothers waitin' at the Cot |
age hotel" said the elder Becraft,
vhen they again stood upon the side
walk. 'That's where the hop
to come for us about two
'clock. Now before we go up, for
We want you to come along with us,
we got something to propose.
you'll take it all right, won't you?'
perhaps I know what it is" an
wered Rossiter, for several times
e had seen Becraft furtively regard
ng his hair and beard.
'Do you?"
81 can guess"
"Well, if that's the case, you amt
-goin' to mind, are you? You can
ay me back, you know"
you'll trust me to pay you back,
hen?"
"Trust you to? Why. of course 1
ill. You'll pay me if you've got
nythin' to pay with, an you'll have
, all right after little"
81 don't believe there are many who
-ould take your view of it."
"P'raps not, for, to tell the truth,
ou amt what the boys would call
swell But shave an hair cut'n
lake a sight of difference. / know
place close by where we1l go.
chap from our town keeps it."
AS they turned from the main
which was called Ken
SEQ street, puff of warm wind blew
cloud of dust in their faces.
"Thunderi" calculated Joe Be-
aft, 'sI'ye swallowed enough nasty
,uff for one day. Do you know" he