Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-03-08

That was only one of his many at
tempts, but all Of them, save for the
inner laughter which they afforded,
were totally without result Joe's an
swers were monosyllabic, his attention
wandering at best. To that particular
question he nodded his head spirit
1essly.
"This butter amt none too fresh" he
groWled sourly, "and l wonder if that
cook boy thinks we dote on ham every
meal? I don't for one. 1t may be ali
right if mans plumb starving to
death, but it don't lend no real ele-
gance to a repast'
That gloomy complaint brought little
more than a sparkle to Steve's eyes,
but it made Garry lean forward in his
place Throughout the meal while the
other two fenced in just such fashion
he forgot his own food to listen, de-
lighted anticipation in every feature.
And when they had finished supper
and pushed back their chairs he stood
grinning a little, watching Joe survey
that Uttered ropm which served as Of
fee and sleeping quarters for the chief
engineer of the East Coast company.
Fat Joe's gaze swung from wall to
wall, from Uttered corner to heaped up
chair. Then he shook his head in de-
Epair.
cit looks to me, Steve he srunted,
"as though you amt never had 40 real
training in tidiness, have you? There
don't seem to be no system at all in
the way you leave your things around.
There's one boot over in that corner;
it's got a mate, l know, because | saw
you take them off last night. I wouldn't
be certain otherwise. And it's the same
way with all your things. Just look at
this room! A nice place to receive call
ers in, now amt it?"
That was the first lead he rendered
them, but Steve, rather than crafty
him with 4 direct question, chose to go
forward in the dark. He leaned over
and followed his usual custom when
he wanted to think. He tapped out his
pipe.
''But / can always find everything"
he defended chat is, unless you have
taken the trouble to put things away.
Then it's a tossup that something Or
other will never be found until it turns
up Of it's own accord. It's not SO bad,
joe" He, too, swung to survey the
room. 'Not so bad, Just little unset
tied, that's all. Are we likely to have
any callers, do you think, who would
object to this layout?'
Joe snorted, but his eyes were
mournful He knew that there was
nothing else to do but yield part at
least
awe amt likely to-" he murmured.
"We're just naturally bound to have
'em. They're comm in tomorrow, and
I ask you again, amt this pleasing
prospect to greet 'em?"
For all that he seemed to be staring
ruefully down the room, he was watch
ing for the surprise that darted across
Steve's face. Momentarily the latter
had forgotten his assumed air Of
placidity.
w III! Anu LuC1l SLCFC
laughed eco ahead and tell us, Joe.
I'm beat! I'll admit that I'm painting
with curiosity"
Joe pulled up chair and dropped
into it. 1t appealed to him, this meth
cd, whenever he had the time to spare.
His pink face was still innocent of
guile.
81 don't mind the men folks" he re-
sumed. "That fat party, I mean, who
wears the plaid suits, nor Caleb Hun
ter, either. Both of them are used to
such truck as this. And I reckon it'll
tickle the ladies too. But l can see
Honey sticking his nose in the air and
sniffin' supercilious like the first min
ute he gets his nose in the door. He
amt going to approve at all, at all
not any way you look at it,
"Honeyw
Both Steve and Garry ignored the
rest of JOe's explanation to gasp that
single word in concert
"Who in the world do you mean by
'Honey?"
"Who could mean?" Joe demanded
collectedly. 81 didn't give him the
name, did I? I mean that chap Wick
ersham, who owns the timber north
Of us. Foreign, amt he? Sure, l
thought so? Well, every time | run
across that mans path my heart swel!s
with patriotism. I guess I'm just as
glad to be born plain United States"
The first part Of that statement was
listened to closely enough by both men;
the last sentence or two, for all that it
was heartfelt and sincere was lost
upon them both. And Steve's mirth
was even more hysterical than was
that of Garry Devereau.
Honey he painted. "Now, isn't
that a wonder? Joe, you're too good!
You are altogether too good to be
wasted On these timbered solitudes.
Men pay So a seat, Joe, to hear per-
formers work who are rank amateurs
in comparison with you"
The riverman's eyes grew belliger-