Middletown transcript., 1906-05-26


Indeed commenced Eastman,
trying to affect interest. In re-
ality, he was screwing up his
courage for heroic attempt on
his partners fapjacks which lay
in sodden solidity before him. He
transferred one to his plate. then
prolonged the attack by inquir-
ing, Is sheas pretty as old Kate
Kennedy chuckled.
Kate's beaut-that's shore.
She's gettin' SO deadly rich alb
sorbin of us pore prospectors
dust that I'm goin to throw her
over an give this here new
clothes walloper chance.
Ifancy Kate won t care. She's
got more work than she wants.
But I sha n t let your new incum-
bent get my washing. | believe
in sticking to a good servant
when you find one. It'sa sort OF
obligation.
Obligation be hanged, grunted
Kennedy, and having hastily
washed down the last OF his
breakfast with half dozen gulps
of coffee, he rose and began gath
ering his soiled clothes with the
stern air which a man usually as
sumes on such an occasion. He
stuffed them into a discarded
flour-sack, and then them into his
chest.
She'll come an git 'em. told
her to look in the chest ef l
wasn't here.
But Eastman was busy clearing
The table, and paid little atten-
ton. He swept the used dishes
and cups into a big tin pan and
stuck them under a bench in a
corner to be washed that night.
Come on, he said, impatiently
You know we've got to try that
new drill.
Kennedy trailed after his mate,
grumbling.
DANCED eff I don't know it, he
growled. It's drill, drill, drill !!
Wisht was back in Texas,
ploWin' cotton, l do. l wisht-
some of these here fool writers
what boost up the excitements of
minin', the thrills, would jest try
thriIlin' out here fer a month";
He grumbled still more an
hour later, when he discovered
that Eastman had forgotten some
cartridges needed in preparatory
blasting for the drill.
Gwan back an get 'em, he
snapped. You must ha' been
thinkin' on some of that moony
stuff you ust ter larn at yore fool
Massachusetts college. Ef ever
Tget merried an have a son, l
sham let him waste his valooble
.timeabsorbin of defunt hnwidges
Not but what | know some Latin
myself -tempus fugit-so git!
Eastman shrugged his shoul
ders good -humoredly, and strode
off TO their batch. He was not
dismayed by Kennedy's apparent
dissatisfaction. He knew that
they had a good lead and that,
sooner or latter, fortune must
come their way.
Remembrance of this made
him glance with pity at old Gra-
ham, whom he passed en- route.
The fifty years which had glided
over Graham had not dimmed his
hopes but they had sadly i'm
paired the powers of the guant,
stoop shouldered Scotchman, who
looked enyiously after Eastman
as he walked by, 50 attractively
full of the careless, unconscious
power Of the physically young.
Eastman swung into the little
cabin, and as promptly recoi!ed.
For a slender figure, its head
buried in a blue sunbonnet, was
bending over Kennedy's chest.
laying hands on something
therein.
Eastman would have sprung
on masculine thief ; but in this
case he merely slammered +:
Oh, I say, now, | wouldn't do
that, you know
The slim form rose to its full
height; the blue sunbonnet
turned, and an alarmed glance
over the owners shoulders, even
while one small white hand clung
to lampily filled hoursack.
IL beg your pardon, falter-
ed two divinely red lips. I'm
not stealing. Il
The flower-like face, the gentle
accents, nearly paralyzed East
man. He whipped off his dusty
hat, and came very near saying
Take all you want if you'll only
1nt mo look AT Vou