The St. Mary banner., 1910-01-29

jerk Of his thumb toward Simpson
Il 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 a heaped load, Simpson
mounted the wagon When he was
clear of the 1ittering freight, he turn
ed up the street leading from the
Wave. The weight of his load and the
steepness taxed his splendid horses.
Their flanks fiattened out and their
legs stiffened with the strain as the
load inched it's 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
new boiler eight feet high ar" thirty
in length, blocked half the street. In
the narrow, furrowed lane, past that
and a pile of building materials.
Simpson was obliged to haul his load
straight. But he observed now, with
much satisfaction, that a crew OF
laborers was getting ready to shift the
boiler through the mill yard into
new engine-house.
The load of cobbles was delivered
couple of blocks beyond the next
corner.
Now, boys" Simpson said to the
horses, well go back for another
load" He always kept Prince and
Sager informed in regard to his
movements.
On the return journey he was de-
layed a few minutes, where the chat
tering laborers were making ready
with planks to turn the boiler end
wise through the gates.
Simpson could see straight down
the few hundred intervening yards
to the Wave nesting in the freight
piles at the foot of the street.
clear passage showed between the
heaped boxes and bales to the gang
plank of the little craft; and as Simp-
son recognized Peterson in blue shirt
and rakish cap boarding the vessel,
a humorous notion popped into his
head.
I'D like to give that boiler little
push while Peterson is in line the
teamster mused. He'd be so ever
lastingly scared when that big rack
ETY. thing came loping after him thai
he'd run right out from under his
hat"
The tugging laborers had cleared
a way now. Chuckling in the en-
joyment of his fancy, Simpson lifted
the reins, spoke to his horses, and
left the workmen to the difficult task
of moving the big boiler.
Passengers for the afternoon trip
of the Wave were going aboard as
Simpson began throwing in another
load of cobblestones. The steamer
was due to leav in an hour, and
rafting trucks Of freight alternated
with groups of passengers in passing
up the plank
watch out for Peterson there,
Reddy!' voice suddenly shouted.
The warning sounded SO genuine
that, somewhat startled, Simpson
turned quickly about. A laugh of ap-
probation for the success of the ruse
greeted him. One of the crew was
passing by on an errand.
Fraid of our man, aren't, you?"
the deckhand queried, with teasing
good nature. Tomorrow noon you've
got to stand up to him and take that
blanket back, or else we are going
to chip in and hire you to get a job
somewhere else. We're pretty sensi-
i've dUUut Tie hluu VI pcOUit VIC AdSC
around"
A stentorian hail summoned the
loquacious sailor to the Wave. Simp-
son continued to heave in cobble-
stones thoughtfully. He fully intend
ed to get his blanket back; but if
possible he wanted to do it without
shaming the redoubtable Peterson,
who had a reputation to maintain in
wrestling.
Another load was on before start
ing-time for the Wave. In a strag-
ing their way toward the steamer, and
the freight trucks ratified more quick