The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-05-03
FAVORED BY
MISFORTUNE
BY CLINTON DANCERFIELD
Copyright, 1905, by Joseph b. Bowles. J

weak trucking to feminine vanity
He now perceived their intrinsic value
and blessed the man who had con
ceived the idea.
1t hurt him seriously to think thai
she would pass out of his life wher
they reached Louisville. He ragged
against the conventionalities which sci
a barrier between himself and the un
known.
A gray haired, stately old gentleman
whom he correctly supposed to be her
father, sat beside her, and was just
strewing her lap with magazines
bought from the train boy.
NO earthly chance of an introduc.
tion,' groaned Brannon to himself
Not soul here who could possibly
help me-"
His eyes involuntarily turned with
disgust on the other occupants Of the
little car.
1t was a mixed train, running from
far beyond Anchorage, and it carried
half a dozen owners of small tobacco
farms, on the way to attend the Louis
vile auction, and some equally bucoliC
females, several of whom were bur.
dened with restless, sticky children.
The fair unknown shone the more
by contrast Brannon involuntarily
compared her exquisite grooming with
the frowzy condition OF middle-aged
and solitary female who sat just across
the aisle from him.
There was huge basket on the seat
beside her Over its top was tied a
white cloth, which occasionally bulged
up fiercely in bumpy spots, while
smothered sounds of inarticulate wrath
issued from within.
The owner of the basket detected
Brannon's glance. To his horror she
nodded, smiled, arose, and. coming
across, dumped herself down beside
him, smoothing back her thin hair
with a cotton-gloved hand.
Il seed you a-lookin' my way" she
said, with great friendliness, and |
knowed you wuz jest spilin to find out
what's in that there basket"
Pardon me-" said Brannon, freez-
ingly. Il had not thought of the bas-
ket. l would not have you put your
self to any trouble in explaining. |
am not the conductor. you know"
Good land!" chuckled his self-found
friend. did ye think l took ye for
the conductor? Why, he's dressed a
sight smarter than you. Bright blue,
and brass buttons on it, Std of gray
Not but what you look real nice" she
amended, hastily. That there suit fits
you TO a fgger and sort Of agrees with
your style. | dunno but mebbe you
look better in that than you would in
his blue and brass
Thank you" said Brannon, with an
irony totally lost.
Jerry was no snob but the familiar
manners of the owner Of the basket
made him rage lest the unknown, sit
ting several seats ahead, should regard
her as belonging to him. He assumed
pose of quiet iciness, which was quite
Undecided by the friendly dame be-
side him.
His Indifference as to the mystery
of the basket had the usual stimulat-
ing effect She lowered her voice to a
confidential pitch, determined to inter
est him.
Conductor, he knows there's poultry
in that there basket" she said, in a
half whisper, but he don't know ALL"
Jerry remained silent.
"They amt no common chickens
They are thoroughbred games. I'm
a-takin' EN- in to young Teller in
town. I'm afeared he's goin' to fight
the cock, but husband he says 'taint
none of our affair"
Jerry looked out of the window.
THAT there cock" pursued she, has
got the wust temper in Kaintuck. an
the hens they amt much better"
Jerry tried another tack.
"Then you had better stay by them
and watch them" he suggested, artful-
ly. "You shouldn't leave them alone
That cover looks loose"
~ reckon l shouldn't" agreed the
dame An yit I'm powerful thirsty.
l been thinkin' bout that ice tank
back there fer some time
Jerry returned to his investigation
of the window
If the poultry owner had expected
him to offer to bring her the desired
water she was disappointed. She arose
heavily
"I'll 30 git some now" she an
nounced. This here train don't go
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 he basket.
Long as you done warned me about
leavin' EN- 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 EN- BY you till l git back"
There was 4 resolute heave, a stag.
ger, and the basket came down plump
on the red velvet seat occupied by
Jerry.
Take good keer Of EN-" said the
dame, anxiousy, much as if she were
going on 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