Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-12-21

water she was disappointed. She arose
heavily
I'll go git some now" she an
nounced. This here train don't so
fast enough to disconcert a body
much"
But as she passed the basket Jerry's
caution returned to her mind.
She turned back and seized the han
die of the basket.
Long as you done warned me about
leavin' 'em alone" she said, at that
cheerful pitch affected by those who
have never heard of the most excel
lent thing in woman" II reckon III
jest set 'em by you till git back"
There was a resolute heave, stag
ger, and the basket came down plump
on the red velvet seat occupied by
Jerry.
Take good keer of EN-" said the
dame, anXiously much as if she were
going on a serious journey, and then
she went cautiously toward the tank.
Jerry cast wrathful look at the
basket, but worse was to come.
| Swaying and clutching, the rail-
roads tin cup in one hand, the ad-
! Venturous poultry owner found herself
unable to turn the water on. The lit
tie spigot was rusty and would not
move. She looked back despairingly
at Jerry and seeing only a resolute
back and a sternly posed head, she
lifted up her voice, instinct telling her
that he had had more experience with
such difficulties than any of the rough
| ly-clad men.
Young feller," she shrilled, come
drop"
At the wailing accents each person
in the car turned his head, and Jerry
blushing scarlet, saw the amused smile
that danced lightly on the lips of the
| lovely unknown.
But he rose to the occasion. Squeez-
ing past the basket, not without an
effort, he went quietly down the aisle
| If he had seen the glance of admira-
tion which a certain person gave his
broad shoulders and fnely-built form
he might have felt compensated
AS it was he saw only the flushed
and thirsty dame, and for her he filled
the tin cup courteously, wondering Bit
terly why fortune should place him at
disadvantage just when he most
wanted to appear dignified.
Suddenly, as he waited for the poul-
! try owner to drink that he might re-
fill the cup for her, there arose on the
hot air of the car an ear-splitting
sound, a cross between a squawk and
battle-cry.
That effort of Brannon's to get past
the basket had torn loose the cover,
and never did prisoners more quickly
avail themselves of liberty.
Wide-breasted, long of leg, arrogant
! ly naughty Of carriage, and powerful
of wing, they shot out all six of them,
into the narrow precincts of the car,
defiance in the hens eyes. murder and
sudden death in the cocks
In an instant confusion reigned and
babel of tongues.
With whoops of Joy and peals of
rough laughter, the farmers arose en-
masse to help recapture the runaways;
but they found it less amusing than
! they expected.
The conductor, hurrying in from the
smoker, received a blow in the face
| from a Tesolute hen that hurled her.
self at the opening. Fortunately she
merely sent the conductor staggering
back against the door, closing 1t the
quicker.
What the hell" began that out
ragged individual, forgetting his man
ners. But he got no further The air
was full of whirrlng wings, OF wildly
scrambling forms, of shrieking wom-
en- and screaming children.
The games darted forward, retreated
overhead clung now to lamps, and
now beat against deceptive windows;
they eluded, feinted, struck savagely,
wheeled on angry rapid wings, played
havoc with hats and curls, and
scratched manfully.
1t was the cock who selected the
pretty unknown for his special prey.
He came whirring down on her. hav-
ing just dazed a tobacco grower by a
swapping whack with his spurs; but
he was received in the arms of Jerry
|
front of the frightened girl.
Beak and spurs had no effect on
Jerry. He was thoroughbred himself.
The enraged game was reduced to
ignominious submission. but not until
he had left an ugly scratch across each
of Brannon's hands.
By this time the hens had been cap
tured, the children had crawled from
under the seats, and the women were
twisting up their disordered hair.
The poultry owner, much subdued,
was shifting family as Jerry helped to
reimprison the cock Turning away
from her and the treacherous basket,
he found the unknown was standing
beside him
Casting looks of regret at his some
! a. ha1