Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-21

'Tf thats the way YOU look at II,
I'm much obliged to you," said Red.
who would not have discouraged such
feeling for anything. He said to-
himself, This don't seem much like
the kind of people I've heard inhabited
these parts. Those boys are all right.
Reckon if you use people decent they'll
play up to your lead, no matter what
country it is"
At T:30 the fence was done, gorgeous
in a coat of fresh red paint, and
the hands departed, each with slice
of Miss Mattie's chocolate cake,
thing to make the heather gods feel
contemptuous of ambrOsia.
They went straight to the black
smiths shop, where they were anxious.
ly expected.
Good Lordr' he said a little later,
''if You fellers will talk one at a time,
p'r'aps l can make out what's hap
pened. Now, Sammy, s'p'ose you do
the speaking?"
Whereupon Sammy faithfully chron-
icled the events of the day. The boys
had behaved themselves as if there
was nothing out of the common hap
pening while they We're with Red, be-
ing held up By a sense of pride, but
naturally the splendid physique of the
cowman, his picturesque attire, his
abandoned way of scattering money
around and the air of frolic he had
managed to impart to days hard
work-all had effect on Imagination,
nj hn
cited.
I'D like to know how many Injuns
that feller's killed!' piped up the
youngest. "Hy! He could grab hold
of man and wiring his neck like a
| CHICKEN"
law, tst!' demonstrated the black
smith. But the elders stood by the
younker this time.
Yes, he could, Mr.. Farrell said
they. "You ought to seen him when
he rolled up his sleeves! He's got an
arm on him like the hind leg of ii
horse, and he uses an ak like a tack
hammer. He got mad once when he
pounded his thumb and busted the
post square in two with one crack"
| well, he looks like husky man."
admitted the. blacksmith. But why
didn't you boys take the extry dollar
when he made the offer? He pears to
know what he was about, and it looks
kind of foolish to say mo- to it,
There was moments silence. I'VE
wanted TO show him we We're just as
good as the folks he knew" explained
the eldest somewhat shamefacedly.
The blacksmith Strengthened himself
"Quite right, too" said he. 1--WE air
when you come to that" A little
pride is wonderful tonic. Each man
of that gathering felt himself the bet
ter for the display of it.
In the meantime Red was repairing
the ravages of the day opposite Miss
Matte at a supper table which was
bountifully spread. Miss Matte put
two and two together and found they
meant a larger sum of eatables than
she had hitherto felt sufficient, and
with little pang at the thought OF
the inadequacy of her first offering to
her cousin. provided such fairness as
the land of Fairfield boosted.
They discussed the events Of the
day with satisfaction.
MY" said Miss Matte. you dc
things wholesale while you are abou,
it, VIII, don't your
Red smiled in pleased acknowledg
ment. Pm no peanut stand, ole
lady," said he. Il like to see things
move"
Then Miss Matte preached the ques
ton she had been lowering around
ever since her guests had taken theil
leave.
''Do you think you'll really go into
business with that young man who
was here to dinner?' she asked.
''Why, think it's kinder likely
said Red.
But you don't know anything abou
him, WILL" she continued, putting tn,