Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-01-12
NOVEMBER JOE.
THE DETECTIVE OF THE WOODS.
By HESKETH PRICHARD.
Copyright, 1918, by Hesketh Prichard.

I 1 pointed frankly to the door We
must shut that door and shut out
those voices, but Petersham swore at
me under his breath.
Darn, you know those hinges
screach like a wildcat! 1t can't be
helped, for it would kill her to know
we heard word Of this"
We crept away into the farthest
corner Of the workshop, but even there
phrases fioated to us, though merciful-
ly we could not hear all.
But father would help you, for you
know you are genius, joe"
"All I could ever do lies in the
woods, Miss Linda; woodsways is the
whole Of it. A yard outside the woods
and the meanest chap bred on the
streets could beat me easy. l can't
thank you nor Mr.. Petersham the
way I'd like to, for my tongue is
slow" Here his voice fell.
But if you hate the city life so
much you must not go to the city"
1t was Linda again. Live your life
in the woods. I love the woods, too"
THE woods is black and bleak
enough to them that's not born among
the trees. Them that's lived outside
allus wants more, Miss Linda"
A long interval followed before the
voices became audible again.
"Oh, no, no, joel"
Petersham clutched my arm once
more at the sound.
You're so young, Miss Linda, you
don't know. I'd give my right hand
to believe different, but l can't. It
wouldn't be best-not for you.'
November's tone moved me more
fighting it out against his own heart.
I knew well the power Of attraction
Linda possessed, but somehow l had
not guessed how it had worked on Joe.
had, indeed, been right in so far that
he had not dreamed Of aspiring to her:
nevertheless the episode would mean
pain and loss to him, l feared, for
many a day.
Once more I heard him.
Don't you think I'll be proud every
hour have to live that you was so
good to me, Miss Linda? l shan't
never forget it."
Joe, think hate you!" she cried.
And then the quick tap Of her foot
steps told us she had run into the
house.
There was absolute silence for a
minute or two. At length Joe sighed
heavily and with the slow laborious
movement Of weakness went to his
room.
When all seemed safe, Petersham
and l stole out of hiding like thieves,
and, though we exchanged no word,
Petersham was swearing violently
under his breath until he shut his Of
flee door.
Rather to my surprise November
ice came out for awhile after sup
per, because he said it was my last
evening at Kalmacks. Neither he nor
Linda gave any sign that anything
unusual had passed between them.
Indeed, we were gay enough, and wei
had Charley Paul to sing us some
French Canadian songs.
After saying goodby as well as
good night to Linda and her father,
I followed Joe to his room.
Il won't wake you up in the morn
ing, November" said. There's
nothing like rest and sleep to put you
on your legs again"
I've been trying that cure, Mr.. Qua
ritch, and l won't be long behind
you.'
"Oh, where are you going to-"
ITO my shack on Charley's brook.
I'm kind O. homesick like, and that's
the truth
But how about Mr.. Petersham's
wish to give you s in his busi-
ness in New York OF ntreal?"
I'm not the kind a guy for a
city, Mr. Quaritch. All the chaps d
get turning round to stare at the poor
wild fella. and I'd be scairt to sleep
in one of them up in the blue sky
houses anyway" he laughed.
But you would soon be used to
city ways and perhaps become rich
That was what the mink said to
the otter: Go you to the city and see
the sights says he, but the otter
knew the only way he'd ever see the
city would be around some lovely
girls neck"
November Joe had no idea how far
l could read into his fable.
And what did the otter say?"
Huh, nothing! He just went down
his slide into the lake and got chasin'
fish. and l guess he soon forgot he
missed seem the city all right
And how about you, Joe?"
Il guess I'll get chasin' fish. too,
Mr.. Quaritch.''
When l arrived at the depot at Pri-
amsville in the morning to my sur
prise found November Joe there be-
fore me.
Why, Joe!' l exclaimed. you're
not fit to travel"
Il thought Id go on the cars with
There's a good many times to change
before we gets to Silent Water, and
I'm not so wonderful quick on my
feet yet"
He soon grew strong again. and he
wrote me Of his trapping and shoot
ing. so at any rate he is trying tol
forget all that he renounced at Kali
macks. But will Linda have no fur
ther word to say? And if she
| wonder.
Tho End