The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-01-23

give as a prize. And don't believe
he has any plantation in Cuba, either"
Shickshack's wife came in late, and
sat by the schoolhouse door, looking
steadily at the speaker. 1t was the
first time the village had ever seen her
at any meeting. The women nearest
were more occupied in being repealed
by her than they were. with the annex
alton of Cuba. 1t surprised nobody
that she should come out to hear
Shickshack's enemy. But it surprised
some who departed slowly after the
dismissal that she had word or two,
and touched hands with the stranger
as he passed by her at the door. An
unlovely nature had worked SO long
on features striking for angularity that
she carried habitually malignant
look. The boys of New Salem liked to
venture on Sally Shickshack's door
step, or climb her garden fence, and
have her chase them with gourds OF
hot water. Though she had been so
short a time in the village, it was al
ready known that Antywine La
Chance, former husbands son, had
not inherited fip'ny-bit of his fathers
property; and as fip'ny-bit was
smaller than the proverbial shilling
with which heirs were sometimes cut
off, it was plain that Antywine La
Chance had been cheated by his step
mother.
Don Pedro Lorimer mounted his
horse the following morning, and took
the notwithstanding road which
separated north and south beside the
Sangamon. He nodded to everybody
he saw along the narrow street. His
departure was as public as his errand
had been, and a not unkindly feeling
went with him and would welcome him
again. For a man who Travelled around
at his own expense, without charging
price, to lecture on the annexation
of Cuba, must be in earnest; and from
tiersmen respected person in earnest.
Lincoln usually closed his store
soon after the village supper-time, in
order to recite his daily lesson to
Minter Grayham in the cooper-shop.
Few customers were so belated as to
need anything at the store when
candles were lighted. Those who
dropped in met to talk and white:
and since the nightly study blaze had
begun to show in the cooper-shop these
gossips felt obliged to seek another
rendezvous. The law student therefore
found himself delayed by Shickshack,
who entered with Antywine as he was
about to blow out the lights.
~soJr
shack?" said Lincoln. The Indian
looked around at country stock:
barrels of New Orleans salt and sugar,
and sacks of coffee; few scant shelves
of calico; hoes, rakes and shovels; a
grand leghorn bonnet or two, of mighty
brim and crown; threads, needles and
pins; and all the simple necessities Of
people on the edge of civilization. He
shook his head.
ME want to talk. Shut the door,"
Lincoln closed the door and sat down
on the counter, drawing up his knees
and encircling them with his arms in
a favorite attitude for relaxing chat;
motioning his visitors to make use OF
the same high bench. Shickshacl got
up and curled his legs under him
Indian fashion, but Antywine re-
manned standing by the door. Two
candles on high shelf at the rear
and the red man and the crowded OBJ
jects in the little store.
Il reckon all New Salem is talking
tonight about the man you were going
to kill when he came to town."
Shickshack glowered at his young
counselor
/ "Me wrong to give the war-cry. Me
ought to keep still, and stab him in
the dark! But when see that man me
forget me Christian Indian!"
'The whoop might pass muster
better than the stab among Christians, "
suggested Lincoln.
Shickshack fixed his restless eyes like
, the eyes of a snapping-turtle on the
rugged and sincere face before him.
!, Pedro Lorimer is bad white man
He not one of Don Luis sons"
'He says he wants Cuba annexed tc
the United States. Is he Cubar
t planter?"
The Sac uttered a contemptuous
L grunt
, "No! No planter. No Cuba. He i:
New Orleans man; gambler"
II reckoned So" said Lincoln.
, ''Me live in my tribes country, where
the chief Black Hawk has his village
q Pedro Lorimer come there and trouble
q me. If my tribe take my part, al
the people who want their land viii
j, say, These Sacs are dangerous. Drive
J, them out So Black Hawk say to me
3 You love white men: go to Belleville.
e Me go to Belleville. Think me MARI.
0 a white woman; she help. An 1ndial
: cannot get a very good white woman
s But me see the Widow La Chance, AM
Antywine, her husbands son. Nj
9 getting old; and Antywine is young
e He can take care of the child whel
t me die. So year ago me marry tn
/. Widow La Chance. The first thing sh
{. hurt the child. And Antywine"-
y Shickshack uttered the words deliber
ately, turning his head toward tn
n figure at the door-'he is nothing bu
d squaw!"
# Antywine opened the door and wen
It out, closing it behind him, and sittin
Q down on the step.
t, Pedro Lorimer follow to Belleville
and trouble me there. Me come t
l. New Salem. The moon has no