Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-02-06


1 the post barber shop, his all .
ll6a4Ase) that Of a man who is nightly |
pleased with himself. Bill" said he
as he flung off blouse and hat, wish
you'd NOW down this stubble OF
mine
The barber set about stronping a
razor. Don't want your name trim
med?" he inquired. STRIKES mech |
it's pretty long"
The interpreter loosened the collar OF
his shirt and took chair. Never you
mind about my name" he answered.
ITS just as long s I want it. You
turn loose on my chin He leaned
back to elevate a pair Of bright topped
boots.
The other directed his gaze upon the
sharpening blade. DO you happen t
know Portugee?" he asked humbly.
zone OF the boys is loony on gal at
Bismarck that he amt writ to for a
year. She's Portugee"-
Matthews gave a dismisslng wave
Of the hand 81 savvy English and
most Injun,' he said, none of them
school only week in my hull life.
That was down in Omyha, and one
week was plenty" At the remem-
brance he shook with silent laughter.
THAT week, as | say. was 'nOugh for
me. The teacher-she was lady,
mind y'-tries to tell me that It's the
same blamed sun we see comm up ev-
I
says: Don't we git a new moon onct
in a while? Then. what's the matter
with havin' a change Of SUM- Well,
that plumb stumped her. She shut up"
The barber was now ready for oper-
atoms, so Matthews adjusted his Shout
ders. closed bis pink lidded eyes and
followed the suit Of his nonplused
teacher.
Bill felt there was something in
the wind and longed to question Mat
thews, yet dared not. The interpreter
formerly so feared and even dislkal
by the enlisted men. was now regarded
In 3 troop as generally misunderstood
and maIigned indivldual-this in con-
sequence of the Lancaster inquiry;
d
! jured innocence and seriously taking
himself for a popular hero. He was
more cocksure and conceited than ever
before and more prone to brag and
bully. Scraping diligently away the
barber shuddered at the thought Of
even letting the razor slip.
Kippis was less respectful. He en-
! TO
redolent of bay rum, and surveyed the
latter in mock amaze. MY, no, my"
he cried "Hain't we bloomin' tine"'
Matthews wriggled those faint lines
upon his glistening forehead that served
for eyebrows. You go soak your
head" he retorted.
"And no gun hon lis Up" went on
the sergeant. But wy, no, wy does
e wear red shirts?'
The interpreter spraddled out his
legs. Folks git rich mindin' their
own business" he said meaningly.
Kippis could not forego n last gibe.
Person d halmost think you's goin'
sparkin'," he declared
Matthews gave start. and his keen
eyes shot a searching glance at the
sergeant's smiling countenance. What
he read there reassured him, The 9TH
err was bantering without notion that
he approached the truth. The inter
prefer shrugged and stalked out With
in the hour he was on his way to the
Lancasters.
He did not 60 to the shack, however.
From the cottonwoods he spied Dallas
at work in the corn, so he directed his
steps thither, She did not see him.
Her back was toward the river and
the sun was glinting on her swinging
hoe, Beyond her. on a picket rope,
was Simon, the bull. He was travel
ing in a restless circle and sending
lonesome blasts across the deserted
prairie. He alone saw the interpreter
and paused In his rounds, head raised
and eyes bullying inqulringly
Dallas wceded on, unconscious Of a
visitor. The corn was shoulder high
now and bearded. Its long leaves
swaycd and whispered covering the
sound Of Matthews approach. But
} when he was yet some rods Off flock
Of ground sparrows rose before him
with startled twitters. AT that she
looked back The next instant she
had caught up the Sharps.
Matthews halted and lifted his hat
displaying hair pasted down to a silky
smoothness. II amt got no gun" he
said quietly. II Jus come for to have
talk"
| She m ado M answcr
The interpreter shifted from foot to
foot and m0pped his forehead. II allus
been sorry for what l done las win
ter" he went on. II was blame foo
to come scarin' you gals-ought &c
knowed better. But. you see. when
started nobody told me there wal
women folks over here"
Dallas took deep breath.
II wanted to tell you" continued
Matthews. "And-and l wanted t,
say ] feel sorry about you losin' you