The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-01-20


don't pretend to say what all of them
come from, but from few Sinking
forms I've seen and hair raising yells
I've heard Id rather not confront
their owners myself, and am neither
weak nor fearful.
Worst of all, any man who will
enter the swamp to mark and steal
timber is desperate fellow. One Of
my employees at the south camp, John
Carter, compelled me to discharge him
for number Of serious reasons. He
entered the swamp alone and mark ed
number of valuable trees that he
was endeavoring to sell to our rival
company when we secured the lease.
He has sworn to have these trees if
he has to die or to kill others to get
them"
But if he came to steal trees
wouldn't he bring teams and men
enough, that all any man could do
would be to watch and be after your"
queried the boy.
"Yes," replied Mclean.
'Then why couldn't l be watching
AUX us closely and coming as fast as
IA tider, stronger man?'
why, by George, you could!" ex.
claimed Mclean. II don't know that
the size Of man would be half so
important as his grit and faithfulness.
What is your name?"
Freckles grew shade whittier, but
his eyes never faltered.
"Freckles." he said.
Good enough for every day." laugh
ed Mclean. but I can scarcely put
Freckles on the company's books"
II haven't any name," replied the
boy.
Il don't understand" said Mclean.
II was thinking from the voice and
the face of you that you wouldn't"
said Freckles slowly.
docs it seem to you that any one
would take Il newborn baby and row
over it until it was bruised black, cut
off it's hand and leave it out in bit
ter night on the steps of charity
home to the care of strangers? That's
what somebody did to me.
1.-The home people took me in. and
was there the full legal age and several
years over. They could always find
homes for the rest of the children,
but nobody would ever be wanting me
ON account Of me arm
Were they kind to you" asked Nc
Lean.
II don't know" answered Freckles
The reply sounded so hopeless even to
his own ears that he fastened to quail
ify it by adding: You see, it's like
this, sir. Kindnesses that people are
paid to lay off in job lots and that
belong equally to several hundred 9th
ers amt going to be soaking into any
one fellow much
Go on" said Mclean.
"There's nothing worth the taking of
your time to tell,' replied Freckles.
'"The home was in Chicago, and was
there all me life up to three months
ago. When l was too old for the train
ing they gave to the little children they
sent me out to the nearest ward school
us long us the law would let them, but
I was Mever like any of the other chill
dren, and they all knew it. I'd to go and
come like Il prisoner and be working
about the home early and late for ME
board and clothes. always wanted
to learn mighty bad, but was glad
when that was over.
'"Then a new superintendent sent pe
down in the state to man he said he
knew that needed a boy. He wasn't
fl: remembering to tell that man that
was a hand short. and he knocked
nse down. Between noon and that
evening he and his son. about my age.
mad me in pretty much the same shape
in which was found in the beginning,
so lay awake that night and ran
away. I'd like to have squared me ac-
count with that boy before left, but
1 didn't dare for fear of waking the
old man, and knew couldn't handle
the two of them, but I'm hoping to
meet him alone some day before I
die"
Mclean liked the boy all the better
for this confession.
II didn't even have to steal clothes
to get rid of starting in me home
Ones" Freckles went on. "for they had
already taken all me clean, neat things
for che boy and put me into his rags,
and that went almost as sore as the
Seatings, for where was we were al
ways kept tidy and sweet smelling
anyway. hustled clear into this state
before learned that man couldn't
have kept me If he'd wanted to. l
commenced hunting work, but it is
with everybody else just as it is with
you, sir. Big, strong, whole men are
the only ones for being wanted.'
81 have been studying over this mat
ter" answered Mclean. II am not SO
ssre but that man no older than you
and like you in every way could do
this work very well if he were not
coward"
"lf you will give me job where 1
car earn me food, clothes and place
tt Sleep" said Freckles, IF can have
L.