Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-11-03
Simpson
Stand.
By JAMES WILLIAM JACKSON.

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STAND right up to him, son! Don't
let him scare you'll" The mate of the
river steamer Wave spoke with laugh
ing encouragement. A score of me-
chanics repairing the river bulkhead
kept him company in watching the
noontime fun.
One Of the crew of the Wave,
young, robust and full OF mischief.
stood with grin on his face and a
firm grip on a folded horse-blanket.
Facing him, with an equally deter.
mined hold on the blanket, was an.
other young fellow with fiery red hair.
The red-haired Simpson had been
engaged only two days before as
teamster on Thorn's stone-wagon. He
was mild:mannered. blue-eyed and In
offensive. As a stranger to the river
front he had been Quietlyy enjoying
the noon hour while Peterson, the
fun-loving young deck-hand, wander
ed restlessly about in search Of an
inspiration.
Simpsons big horses, with brides
of and heads bert were munching
their oats. On the seat of the wagon
behind lay the new blanket. It
caught the boatman's eye.
'I'll take that down and see If 1t
will fit my bunk, Reddy," he nonchal-
antly announced.
As Peterson pulled down the blan-
ket and started toward the Wave.
Simpson interposed his tall figure.
The "wrastling" match which sudden
ly developed was hailed with cheers.
The young deck-hand was no match
for the 1.-THE Simpson, who for the
sake OF amusement allowed his an
tagonist some advantage, but turned
the tide OF battle as he pleased. II
The loud laughter and the prospect
OF defeat seemed to have a bad eff
feet on Peterson. Simpson saw that
he was growing angry, and quickly
broke the boatman's hold.
Peterson advanced beIligerently,
and Simpson retreated. The next mo-
ment the teamster was in full flight.
Pursued by the sailor, he sprinted
away from the river, the blanket
streaming out behind.
Dodging in and out of the piled
freight, Simpson turned up the steep
street which led directly away from
the Wave. At the head of the block
he circled huge boiler waiting to
be installed in an adjacent factory.
and came back on the run.
The chase continued along the bulk
head. In view Of the amused watch
lers. Simpson heard the boatman,
who grew more irritable every min,
ute, muttering threats as he ran close
behind. Simpson took his choice be,
tween temporary defeat and making
an enemy. Dropping the blanket
suddenly. he sped on. Peterson tum.
bled headlong over the unexpected
obstacle; and as he picked himself
up. q peremptory whistle blew for
the resumption OF work.
You're not much Of a fighter
Z boy. are you?" the mate teasingly
quizzed, as Simpson passed on the
way to his horses. ''The fellow that
runs away" he added, sententiously
and significantly, Elves to fight an
other day. You've got a dangerous
gift in those long legs of yours; but
one good, square, up-and-down stand
will be necessary to give you status
along the front here"
He spoke in friendly tone. simp.
son looked at him without, however,
venturing defense. He was out OF
breath, anyway.
Tied up next to the Wave, which
lay across the foot of the street, was
barge-load of cobblestones. Simp-
son set to work loading as soon as
he could back up his team A cou.
pie Of the crew Of the Wave loitered
at the stern of the steamer, within
speaking distance.
'tHe hasn't much spunk, Tom.' one
Of them audibly commented, with a
Jerk of his thumb toward Simpson.
y guess all the fire escapes out of
the top of his head"
Don't be hard on him, mate" the
other gently chided, with mock sym
pathy. Hes ashamed Of running
away. Don't you see he is blushing
to the roots Of his hair?"
Simpson smiled, and continued to
toss In the cobblestones with an ease
that indicated ability to stand up for
himself when necessary,
With heaped load, Simpson
mounted the wagon. When he was
clear Of the littering freight, he turn
ed up the street leading from the
Wave. The weight of his load and the
steepness taxed his splendid horses.
Their TANKS fiattened out and their
legs stiffened with the strain as the
load inched its way upward.
Some of the hillside streets were
SO sharply graded that life-lines were
necessary in winter for the use Of
pedestrians. Simpson was obliged to
rest his horses frequently in the
climb. At such times, after block.
ing the wheels, he stroked the soft
noses Of his helpers and encouraged
them.
The worst place in the short pull
was at the factory gates, where the
pew boiler eight feet high arr thirty
In length, blocked half the street. In
the narrow, furrowed lane, past that
and pile Of building materials,
Simpson was obliged to haul his load
straight. But he observed now, with
much satisfaction. that crew of
laborers was getting ready to shift the
boiler through the mill yard into a
new ensine-house.