Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 1889)
WEST SHOKK. kind o' a risk.' Well, Grillis stamped V swore. " I've paid 'nough money for nothin' ter insurance compa nies,' said he, ' V Brigham's done his share, too. I don't know what fool business you're a talkin', hut the insurance companies '11 pay or build a new mill,' then out he went, V Hawkes was a grinnin' when he made out my check." " Well, this will settle the trouble between the men and the bosses," said Bob. " It's queer that every time some one has to be killed or some one's property is ruined before those things are adjusted. They're talking that all the business will be working full time in less than a week. The small mill owners have agreed to the men's demands, and the trouble is about over. I'm glad wo don't live in a mill town. Kiul wich iH slow, but it's good enough for me. Marie ap pears to bo thriving here, mother." " She is happier than she ever was before, she tells me,'' said Bob's mother. " It's wonderful how she has picked up. She insists on doing more than half of my 'rk." ' , , , , " I'vo ben a thinkin, Boh," said Bill, slowly, "that so long's we've gut the same kind o' interest in her, you'd orter keep a Borter board account. I'm willin' ter pay half o' Marie's keep; in fact, I'd liko ter. I'm kind o' proud o' my interest in her. I likes ter see her 'round my place, V she's learned that greenhorn girl o' mine how ter keep hniso ship shape. I want ter help support her." " Her board amounts to nothing," said Boh moth er. " I want her. I don't know what I shall do with out her." , , , " Ye ain't gut ter go 'ithout her, hev ye? asked Bill, eying the woman. " Sho ain't gut no other home, has she?" , , ,, Bob had also cast an inquiring look at his mother, but as she did not seem disposed to say anything Mr ther on the subject, he said ,. " There's one thing you can do, Bill. m img"" put a light boat on the river for her. She s growing Btrong, and it seems to mo you might tench her to row. She'd enjoy it, and sho ami mother could put man an afternoon on the water before cold weather, u would do them both good." , . .... " I'll git a boat ter-morrer!" exclaimed III I. bring it down on the team V git her l-u".m ' What was you a thinkin' of when yon ske as though she might go away? " to Bob's mother. ...... " I don't know that I'm Mroying a ennhdrm , she answered, musing. "1 hope she won go mm. I have learned to love her very much, and I -I lost if she left mo. Last evening as she a , r . . ..i i r . f me was unlm , i). voice tremoieu, ana i bsm-u . . k- ,. Sho kissed me, but did not answer; then I r - ... . t.i mi. Mil 101 Nil, ver money," to Boh. "Ye' re goin' ter git married. But I'll give her a starter, so I don't see but what she's provided for, feller or no feller, IWt say a word! "a huh essayed to seak, ".I'll do it, We must find out what sorter feller be is, V 'f he ain't square we must talk her outer it. (iirls gits taken in mightily some times. Tellers don't 'mount to much as they run, V ter be tit fer her a feller must be a mighty proper sor ter feller, in my way o' thinkin'," After the friends' had separated for the night, Bill sat in his front room examining papers that had not been out of his brick closet for many a day. A look of determination was on bis liearded face as be leaned hi elbows on his knees, and with hi chin resting In his hands, studied the well worn woolen eann't. " If he's wuth her, he'll get em," he soliloquized, " 'n' when I pops oil' he'll git everythin' that Mong ter me," ,.1,1 The next night there was launched in Kialwicn river the most beautiful Ismt ever seen on that water. " I thought it would have ter be a pros r sort 0 craft ter lit 'long 0' ye," Bill said, as he handed the girl over the rail on to the cushioned seat. Then Hob embarked, ami soon the Ismt was shooting through the water under Bill' sturdy strokes. A they Ihmtcd in with the tide Marie received her llrst lesson at the oar, then, at Hob' request, she sang an old ballad. In tbt oiiict that followed the song, she placed a little hand on each of their. . , " What shall I ever do to repay your kindness? sho said. " I am so happy here that I often stop to ask myself if it i not a dream from winch I shall wake tli sadness" "There's one thing you can do, Intcrpose-MUII. " 'n that is, give us vr confidence. Trust ua Now I wa'ii't goin' ter speak 'Uit it jet yit. but I ve ben a thinkin' f. r some .lays that ye might hev n feller, or I m,,,a voting man, ,,1,n' 011 f nr"r"y,, ,,,, down here, 'n' p'raps be don't kirn where ye are, Well now, 'n' me. we io ye nin t gut none thnl'is, UobV meV Hob' mother want ye ter s ay -id, ( irse we ain't no style nor scholar, that is I ain't. Holt is . . , ' , had seen her head dr.sq.,aud he hs.ke.l Wist fully toward Hob for assistance, but that worthy from Uind huge el Is of toba.v ,oke wa enjoying the predicament into which .ij.nrtn.-r -,7',,B7ilJ,1L. 1 I said," Bill continued, in a half n.w.l, mHig fashion, " wt " ',f ,h,!,7 ' gut a young n,an. to, V n,e ain t goin' ter bin. r ' i it Wecah alatetbelMst thing can be i I I It git him down here fust a last V gi ' i l( We'd thought we'd take bin, Inter par ner. '.thus We'reg.t.inSil.lUbVmelsorlan, U ain't. Hob'. go.n' ter git married b k ; h ., hisi.artner, who w niaaioK i. .,. .. , . .I.!..,. .m.l til 1110 SU'lllelll) nice in my nanus, ior Bouieiiiio . , , m mrmrr. .-- r and I asked her if another were necessary h J,,,.,,, hi, lighter, n we , I .- ; piness. Her eyes drooped, and she la.d he I a. (k nf(.r ,h,ng- I re I my knee, but did not say a wort. I t""hl " r ft, y y laugh out loud now. dan, y. o's gut a young man! M 1MI a pause. Thenf after another hough lf.il "Well, if he's, stiddy V worthy 0 '-' ; ;,,, give him somethin' ter start mil ... J. soinethin',80'8 I can start her oil " ' sand V not feel the loss, but I " . ,';,.,, down hero V go in partnerships m sum " ' , . 1 ..1. r.,1 iiLni'r nt lot a s I Hub did laugh; In roami ' , afraid vu had lt.-i...l.-.l t. '' II ' r, I, hai covered hi.M-df. n.uldnt ;:: ; it 'whhasiy gi.,e .uin. ;i:f 1 head " I wouldn't have undertaken to br-a b l;la ;'l j' . t. If. dangerous," and he roared again.