The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-01-23

ECd laughed lie hW noticed the
busy poStmistrcss rushing out Of her
store To waylay any one likely 10 have
Information on any subject stream
of questions proceeding froul her
through the door.
Say you got anything particular
TO dot'
"No, >.r; lcastways ,h'ain't 40 hurry
about it,"
can buy stuff to make fence
with around here
Yes, sir: Mr.. pettiGrew's got al,
kinds of buildin' material at his store
two mile over youdcr," pointing with
the whip.
You drive over there for me and
get somc-just like this herc-pickets
and posts and whatever YOU call them
long pieces. and III make il right with
you"
Yes, sir How much will get?"
"Oh, tell him TO fill the wagon up
with II, and III send back what I
don't want. Hustle, now. like good
boy; | want TO get shut of this job;
l liked it better before L begun"
When his Mercury had specdcd on
the journey at a faster gait than Red
would have given him credit for the
architect strobe down to the black
smiths shop. There was larger
crowd than usual around the forge,
as the advent Of the stranger had got
into the wind, and the village Vulcan
was n person who not only looked the
whole world in the face. but no one
OF the maiden ladies' of Fairfield could
have excelled his interest in looking
the whole world as much in the inside
| pocket as possible. The blacksmith
was cmphatically man of gossip. as
well as a Woodworking. God fearing
man.
"Say, there he comes now. Mr. Tut
| tle." cried one of the loungerS. and
nudged the smith To look.
well. let him come" retorted the
smith testify, iamming a shoe in the
fire with unnecessary force; as a mat
ter OF fact he was embarrassed. The
loungers huddlcd together for moral
| support as the big cOwman doomed
through the doorway.
Good morning friends" said he.
Good morning. SIR replied the
blacksmith. rubbing his hands on his
| apron. nice day, SIR
"FOr the sake Of good fellowship III
say yes TO that" responded Red, but
| If you want my honest opinion on the
subject lis d-n hot"
Its that" aSscnicd the smith and
Il silence followed.
Say. who's your crack fence build
err around here" asked EcdA"thc man
that can make two picketS grow whore
only one grew before and do it SO easy
that it's a pleasure Ia sit and look at
him."
Hey inquired the smith. not pre-
ciScly getting the meaning of the al
dress
"Why. I've got Il fence To build" eX.
claimed Red. and now | want some
help-want it so bad I'll produce to the
extent of three day and call il day
from now till 6 o'clock. Any takers
here? Make your bets while the little
bal! rolls"
The loungcrS understood the general
drift of this and prickcd up their ears.
rs did the blacksmith. Guess one Of
the boys will help you" said the latter.
We'll. who's it," asked Red, glanc-
Ing at the circle of faces. Three dol
lars a day was enormous wages In
that part of the country, Nobody
knew just what to say.
ooh, we'll" cried Red, lets every.
body run. | reckon | can find some
thing to do for the five of you Are
you with me-
Eyes, SIR" they said promptly.
"Can I borrow hammer or so off
you, old man" questioned Red of the
smith.
Certainly. Sir" returned the latter
heartily. Take what you want"
much obliged, And the gate hinges
are out of whack. Miss Saunders
place, you know. Come over and take
a Squint at EN- in the near by and by,
will you? May rs well fix 1t up all at
once Come on. boys"
Ii was thus that the greatest enter
prise that Fairfield had seen in many
day WAS undertaken. Miss Matte
was simply astoundcd as the army
bore down upon the house.
"Whatevcr ia the world is Cousin
VIII doing" said she, but rcstin.
strong in the faith that it was neces-
sari!y all right she was content to
wait for dinner and an explanation
Not 50 the pOStmistreSs. The agonics
of unrcquited curiosity the worthy
woman suffered that morning until
she at last summoned up her rcsolu
ton and asked the smith plump out
ana out what it all meant would have
70 he experienced TO be appreciated.
And the smith kept her hanging for
awhile, too. saying to himself in justi
fication that Il wasn't right the way
that old gal had 20 get into every
body's business. The smith was like
some Of the rest OF us-he could see
through beam IL 1t was III his own
eye.
CHAPTER VI.
(~(HERE was Il great din OF
Whacking aud hammering that
j morning Red worked like q