Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-01-12
CHAPTER XVII.
The City or the Woods?

The City or the Woods?
Although Dandy Tomlinson's bull
let had passed through Joe's shoulder
it had left a very ugly wound, but
the young woodsman's clean and
healthy life stood him in good stead
and the process Of healing went on
rapidly.
We had fetched a doctor from
Priamville, who left a string of in
structions, which Linda carried out
as closely as she could. Indeed, she
would have devoted most Of her time
to Joe, but he managed to make her
spend a good part Of each day out OF
doors. Sometimes he would beg for
a fish for his supper and she must
catch it herself to prove how we'll she
had profited by his teaching. There
were half a hundred things he sug-
gested, not one Of which was obvious
or trifling, until I marveled at his in
genuity.
You are finding the time long,
Joe?" I said on one occasion.
mo, Mr.. Quaritch, the hours slip
past quick enough. I've never had a
lie-by and awhile for thinking since 1
been a man. There's good few puz-
zles to life that wants facing one time
or another, I s'pose."
(Which puzzle is it that you are
facing now?"
"Mr. Petersham wants to be the
making Of me-"
Then you're about the luckiest
young man in this hemisphere"
Just so, and I feel his kindness Is
more'n I deserve. He'd make me head
warden here for bit first and then
send some kind of a professor to
teach me how to talk and fix me up
generally" He paused.
well, that sounds very reason
able" commented.
"And after they'd scraped some Of
the moss off me he'd put me into his
office"
hid the astonishment felt at this
announcement. after that it'd be UP
to me to make good. He'd help all he
knew"
1T sounds a very brilliant future
for you, November"
Joe was silent for a moment. 1T
does, Mr.. Quaritch," he said at length
in a different tone. And it gives me
something to think about. So they
caught Muppy all right? Him and
Puttick IL find prison poor place
after the woods"
II can feel for them," said 1, "for I
am leaving the woods tomorrow my
self. 1 must get back to Quebec"
Huh, yesi There's no call for you
to stay longer"
LAS to that, you'll be here for quite
awhile yourself"
He made no reply, and when turn
ed from the window to look at him
he was lying with his eyes closed,
and, thinking he was tired, left him.
At the south end Of the veranda
was situated a small detached room
which we had turned into a work.
shop, and early the same afternoon
/ went around there to repair a fav-
orite fishing rod. The veranda was
empty as 1 passed through it, but
presently Petersham joined me.
THAT fellow November Joe is ar in
fernal fool" he said presently. HE
is dolt without an ounce Of ambi-
tion"
I'm his own sphere"-I began.
He is all very we'll in his own
sphere, but he should try to raise
above it."
HE has done uncommonly we'll for
himself so far" I said. He has made
good use Of his brains and his expert
ence. In his own way he is very, very
capable"
THAT is true enough, but he has got
about as far as he can go without
help. AS you say. he has done all this
for himself. Now, I am ready to do a
good deal more for him. I'll back him
in any line of business he chooses to
follow. I owe him that and more.
Heaven knows what might have hap
pened to Linda but for him."
You owe good deal to November"
Il am we'll aware Of it," replied Pc
tersham. "I am convinced I owe him
Linda's life
Something in his tone showed me
his futher meaning. dropped my fish,
ing rod and stared at him. knew
Linda had enormous influence over
Eer father, but this was beyond i'm
agination.
You'd never allow it," exclaimed.
why not?" he retorted angrily.
Isn't Joe better than that Hipper
dude? Or Phil Bitsheim or than that
Italian count with his pedigree from
Noah in his pocket? Tell me where IS
she going to find man like Joe? Why,
he's got it in him to do things-big
things--and I hope I'm good enough
republican not to see the injustice Of
mailing fellow down to the spot
where he was born"
Put November would never dare
look so high! He's modest
He'll get over that"
II doubt It," l said. Besides. you
are reckoning without Linda. How
do you know that She
Naturally l don't know for sure
about Linda" he answered, shortly:
then, glaincng at his watch, he got up.
Just about time to get my mail
ready"
We had been speaking in low tones.
for the subject of owr conversation
naturally did not lend itself to loud
talk. and besides, during the last quar-
ter of an hour or so a murmur of