Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-01-21
CHAPTER XVII.
The City or the Woods?

A THOUGH Dandy ~Tomlinson's
"a bullet had passed through Joe's
"a shoulder, it had left very ugly
wound, but the young woods
mans clean and healthy life stood him
in good stead, and the process of heal
ing went on rapidly.
We had fetched a doctor from Priam-
vile, who left string of instructions,
which Linda carried out as closely as
she could Indeed, she would have de-
voted most of her time to Joe, but he
managed to make her spend good
part of each day out Of DOORS Some
times he would beg for a fish for his
supper and she must catch it herself
to prove how we'll she had profted by
his teaching. There were half hun
dred things he suggested. not one OF
which was obvious or trifling. until
marveled at his ingenuity.
"You are finding the time long, JoeY
said on one occasion.
"No, Mr.. Quaritch, the hours slip
past quick enough. I've never had a
lie-by and awhile for thinking since l
been a man. There's a good few puz-
zles to life that wants facing one time
or another I spose."
(Which puzzle is it that you are fac
ing now?'
"Mr. Petersham wants to be the max
ing Of me-"
"Then you're about the luckiest
young man in this hemisphere
Gust so, and I feel his kindness is
moren l deserve. He'd make me head
warden here for a bit first and then
send some kind Of professor to teach
me how to talk and fix me up general
ly' He paused.
"Well. that sounds very reasonable"
commented.
"And after they'd scraped some of
the moss off me he'd put me into his
Office
hid the establishment l felt ait this
announcement. "After that it'd be up
to me to make good. He'd help all he
knew"
at sounds a very brilliant future for
you, November"
Joe was silent for a moment at
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 Put
tick III find prison a poor place after
the woods"
81 can feel for them said 1, "for
am leaving the woods tomorrow my
TO
"Huh, yes! 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 end of the south veranda was
situated a small detached room which
we had turned into a workshop, and
early the same afternoon | went
around there to repair favOrite fish
ing rod. The veranda was empty as l
passed through it, but presently Peter
sham joined me.
''That fellow November Joe is an in
fernal foolr' he said presently. "He
is a dolt without an ounce of ambi-
toni
I'm his own sphere began.
HE is .all very we'll in his own
sphere. but he should try to rise
above it"
HE has done uncommonly well for
himself so far" | said. Gle 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. am ready to do a
good deal more for him. I'll back him
in any line of business he chooses to
follow / owe him that and more.
Heaven knows what might have hap
pened to Linda but for him.
"You owe good deal to November.
81 am we'll aware of it." replied Pc
tersham. 81 am convinced | owe him
Linda's life"
Something in his tone showed me his
further meaning. / dropped my fish
ing rod and stared at him. | knew
Linda had enormous influence over her
father. but this was beyond magma
ton.
You'd never allow it," | exclaimed.
why not?" he retorted angrily.
isn't Joe better than the Hyper
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 thin gs-and hope I'm good enough
republic an not to see the injustice OF
mailing fellow down to the spot
where he was born"