Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-09-16


md slept since the earliest beginning
of memories became also a part of
he high mountain harmony; and the
jagged, red iron-ore beds on the slope
ibove the furnace were softened into
blur of joyous color
The iron furnace, with its alternat-
ng smoke puff and dull red flare.
struck the one jarring note in a SYM
)hony blown otherwise on great ma
lures organ pipes; but to Thomas
Jefferson the furnace was as much
part OF the immutable scheme as the
hills or the forests or the creek which
furnished the motive power for its air
blast. More, it stood for him as the
summary of the worlds industry, as
the white pike was the worlds great
highway, and Major Dabney its chief
citizen.
He was knocking his bare heels to-
sether and thinking idly of Major
Dabney and certain disquieting rumors
lately come to Paradise, when the
tinkling drip of the spring into the pool
at the foot of his perch was interrupt
ed by sudden splash. BY shifting a
little to the right he could see the
spring. A girl of about his own age,
barefooted, and with only her tangled
mat of dark hair for a head covering,
was filling her bucket in the pool. He
broke dry twig from the nearest ce-
dar and dropped it on her.
You better quit that, Tom-Jeff Co.
don. taken sight O. you up there"
said the girl, ignoring him otherwise.
That's my spring, Nan Bryerson,"
he warned her dictatorially.
"Shucks! 1t amt your spring any
more'n it's mine!" she retorted. Hits
on Maze Dabney's land"
well, don't you muddy 1t none,"
said Thomas Jefferson, with threaten
ing emphasis.
For answer to this she put one
brown foot deep into the pool and
| wriggled her toes in the sandy bottom.
innings began to turn red for Thomas
Jefferson, and high, buzzing note, like
| the tocsin of the bees. sang in his ears.
Take your foot out O. that sprinyi
Don't you mad me, Nan Bryerson," he
cried.
she laughed at him and flung him a
| taunt You don't darst to get mad.
Tommy-Jeffy; you've got religion"
1t Is terrible thing to be angry in
shackles. There are similes-pent vol
canoes, overcharged boilers and the
| like-but they are all inadeouata
Thomas Jefferson searched for mis-
siles more deadly than dry twigs. found
none, and fell headlong-not from the
rock. but from grace. The girl laugh-
ed mockingly and took her foot from
the pool, not in Difference to his ouc-
burst, but because the water was icy
cold and gave her a cramp.
Now you've done it." she remark-
ed. THE devil III shore get we for saw
in that word, Tom-Jeff."
There was no reply, and she stepped
back to see what had become of him.
He was prone, writhing in agony. She
knew the way to the top of the rock.
and was presently crouching beside
him.
Don't take on like that!" she plead
ed. Times I cayn't hep bein' mean:
looks like I was made thataway. Get
up and slap me, If you want to- l won't
slap back"
But Thomas Jefferson only ground
his face deeper into the thick mat of
cedar needles and begged to be . let
alone.
go away; I don't want you to talk
to mel" he groaned. You're always
making me sin! You're awfully wick
ed"
"'Cause don't believe all that ab,.,t
the woman and the snake and the ap-
pie and the MANI"
You'll go to hell when you die, and
then I guess you'll believe" said
Thomas Jefferson, still more definitely.
She took red apple from the pocket
Of her ragged frock and gave it to
him.
What's that for?" he asked, sus-
piciously.
You eat It; it's the kind you like
off m the tree right back of Jim
Stones barn lot" she answered.
You stole 1t, Nan Bryerson!"
well. what If did? You didn't"
He bit into it, and she held him in
talk till it was eaten to the core.
Have you heard tell anything new
about the new railroad?" she asked.
Thomas Jefferson shook his head. 81
heard Squire Bates and Major Dabney
| naming 1t one day last week."
well, it's shore comin'-right thoo'
Paradise. 1 heard tell how 1t was goln'
to cut the old Maje's grass patch
plumb in two, and run right smack
thoo' you-uns' peach orchard"
A far-away cry, long drawn and
penetrating. rose on the still air of the
lower slope and was blown on the
breeze to the summit of the great
rock.
"That's nav, hollerin' for me to get
back home with that bucket o. water"
said the girl; and, as she was descend
ing the tree ladder: you didn't s'pi-
cion why I give you that apple, did
you, Tommy-Jeffy?"
"'Cause you didn't want II yourself.