Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-06-14
OF THE Y. =.

She was burning with his insults
AID if she had had gun at hand she
undoubtedly would have used ii. But
she had none. Drazk very deliberately
turned mis- horse and rode away to-
ward the meadows.
"Oh, won't / fix him! 7" she said, as
she continued her toilet in fury. She
had not the faintest idea what re-
yenge she would take. but she prom
ised herself that it would leave moth
ing TO be desired. Then, because she
was young and healthy and an OPP
timist. and did not know what 1t meant
to be afraid, she dismissed the incl
dent from her mind to consider the
more urgent matter of breakfast.
Tompkins, the cook, had not needed
Transley's suggestion to put his best
foot forward when catering to Y.D. and
his daughter. Tompklns' soul yearned
for a cooking berth that could be oc-
cupied the year round. Work in the
railway camps had always left him
high and dry at the freeze-u p-dry,
particularly, and few nights in Cal
gary or Edmonton saw the end of his
seasons earnings Then came a pre-
carious existence for Tompkins until
the scrapers were back on the dump
the following spring. A steady job,
cooking on ranch like the Y.D.: IL
Tompkins had written the Apocalypse
that would have been his picture OF
heaven. So he had left nothing I'M
done, even to despatching courier
over night to a railway station thirty
miles away for fresh fruit and other
delicacies. Another of the gang had
been impressed into a trip up the river
to squatter who was suspected Of
keeping one or two mich cows and
sundry hens.
This way, ma'am," Tonpkins was
waving as Zen emerged from the grove.
Another of our usual mornings. Hope
you slep' well, ma'am." He stood def
erentIally aside while she assembled the
three steps that led into the covered
wagon
Zen gave little Shrek of delight,
and Tompkins felt that all his efforts
had been well repaid. One end of the
tablet was with a sore heart Tomp-
kins had realized that he could not
cut down the big table-one end of
the table was set with a clean linen
cloth and granite dishware secured IN
til 1t shone. Besides Gems plate were
grapefruit and sliced oranges and
real cream.
However did you manage It'll" she
gasped.
"Nothing's too good for Y.D.'s daugh-
ter" was the only explanation Temp
kins would offer, but, as Zen after
wards said, the smile on his face was
as good as another breakfast After
the fruit came porridge, and more
cream; then fresh boiled eggs with
toast; then fresh ripe Strawberries
with more cream.
"Mr.-Mr.--"
"Tompkins, ma'am; Cyrus Temp.
kins," he supplied.
We'll Mr. Tompkins, you're Won
der, and when there's a new cook to
be engaged for the Y.D. shall think
of you"
Indeed 1 wish you would ma'am.' V
he said, earnestly. This road works
all right, and nobody ever cooked for
a better boss than Mr.. Transley-sav-
in it would be your father, ma'am-
but I'm man Of family, an its pref
ty hard"
Family. did you say. Mr.. Tompkins9
How many of family have youT"
well, it's seven years since I heard
from them--I haven't correspondent
very regular of late, but they was
six"
The story of Tompkins' family was
cut short by the arrival of a team and
moving machine.
What's up, FredY" called Temp
kins through a window of his dining
car to the driver. breakfast is Just
over an dinner amt begun"
For answer the man addressed as
Fred slowly produced an iron stake
about eighteen inches long and some
what less than an inch in diameter.
"What kind of shrubbery do you
call that. Tompkins?' he demanded.
We'll, 1t amt buffalo grass, an it
amt bronze grass. an I don't fgger
it's alfalfa said Tompkins, medita-
lively.
mo, and It amt a grub stake" Fred
replied, with some sarcasm. TITS a
iron stake, CROWN right in nice
little clump of grass, and run on to
it and bust my cuttln-bar all to
that is, all to pieces" he completed
rather iamely. taking Zen into his
glance.
Il think follow you" she said, with
a smile. Can you fix It hereT'
Nope. Have to go to town for a
new one. Two days lost time, when
every hour counts Helol Here
comes someone else"
Another of the teamsters was draw
ing into camp. Hello, Fred [" he