St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-08-22
and again she Of the auburn hair IL
sued an 1lltimatum.


sued an ultimatum.
"Such Of you as expect any mai
may come in now-single file, remem
Der. No, Thomas Ketchum," holding
up warning hand, "you amt ever
had a circular from q whisky house
in year. You stay OUT
But want some terbacker," ex
postulated the man.
wait till the mails distributed
she snapped. I'm not storekeepel
now; I'm the gov'ment's representa-.
tive"
The last letter and paper were
handed out to the file that came and
went, but the crowd loitered outside
as moral support to Tom, who en-
tered last and alone. The minutes
went by, but no sound was heard
from within.
II tell ye, boys" gloated Jack,
Toms the one fer Miss Merry. He'll
give her just that mixcher o. firm
ness an blarney that'n cam even a
red-headed woman. Why amt we
thought y 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 petrified 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 to buy
goods here, come on! If not, get
away from my premises!" Her square
jaws fairly snapped shut. "And if
your business Is done, get back to
work! Towns no place for you'll"
And Toms spirit was broken. He
took his share of the work in dull,
logged manner that hurt his fellowe.
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 alb
sent. One usually transacted business
for the outfit, and even his visit was
brief.
At first Miss Merry ignored the alb
sence of the Flying Flag" contin-
gent, but finally curiosity-a failing
common even to goddesses-mastered
her. She was handing sheaf of mail
across the counter to Timber Jack.
'The Flying Flag seems to be Civ
ng us a needed rest" she observed
"Has the foreman
:eally got them to work at last?"
They're mostly taHn' turns at
lursin' Tom ,Ketchum in their spare
ime," answered Jack, nonchalantly,
Is he slowed away the mail.
what nils Ketchum?" she queried,
) shade of interest crossing her face.
Seems to hev been breakin' down
er the las three MONTHS" replied
lack. "Acts jest like man I knew
At got clawed up with q wheat, an
os' his sperret. Sos when a cayuse
1t Tom was breakin' fell on him two
veeks ago, an smashed some ribs,
e kind o give up an got fever.
We boys don't know much to do; but
lob Vermillion, ats been a hoss-
octor, he fixes up some mashes now
n then. We're all sorry"
"A horse-doctor! What a pack of
ools!" scolded Miss Merry. You'll
i'll him amongst you"
Jack was at the door, but he turned
nd drawled, gently, "Oh, no, Miss
ervy; his death won't be at our
DOR. We all knows what's killed
ON. He allays had more backbone
4 life than any man on the range,
nd no man er gang O. men could do
I'M up Hathaway"
'Who's that?" asked Sam, later in
le day, pointing across the prairie.
blackboard drawn by a rangy sor-
j was approaching.
rig b'longs to the eatin'-house at
axhaw," said Jack, "but can't see
hos drivin,.'
ought the slanting sun; direct on
e figure on the drivers seat. Il
as a woman, and even at that dis
nee they could see the CLINT Of I
copper.
Miss Merry" calculated Bob. ''Now
IRE in fer it," 7
4 don't see it that-away," answered
ok, cycling the approaching figure
ernly. "Weel meet her in body,
: calmly ask her to 60 back to
axhaw, whar her talents'n be more v
preciated. Toms he'd 'nough o. fe>
ale wiP-cats.''
As Miss Merry jumped nimbly to the I,
ound in front of the group, Jack
vanced a trifle.
We boys think ye'd better go back,
IS Nervy-meanin' no disrespec.' "
ey amt nothin' fer We to do here"
You boys think" The repetition u
s snarled with telling effect. Turn W
:, she drew bulky package from NJ
der the seat Of the blackboard.
u boys have been thinking a good
lie, and Eow suppose you do some
ng. Mister Jack, 60 to the cook
aD.y and bring me kettle of hot
ter-hot, mind you-for herb-tea. 81
nuel Smith, you take me in to Tom
tchum. and let me see how near
I've ali come to killing him. Bob
you've been doctor long n
'ugh; you'd better go back to n
'ses. and you can begin by taking
e of mine. The rest of you clear
). When want you I'll let you AL
wv" !
t was after supper. The men "
nged on the crisp buffalo-grass 7
t sloped away from the houses. j
hush fell over the group as
nan came walking briskly over the
IS toward them. Miss Merry stood r