Part 13 (1/2)

”When the man had finished his story, Jack said to him: 'How would I do for a steady man and a bovine manipulator?'

”'My G.o.d, Mr. Marshall! you would not undertake to drive oxen and plant potatoes, would you?' said the man.

”'That's just what I would,' said Jack, 'if you think you can endure me for a partner. I will become a h.o.r.n.y-handed tender of the vine--the potato vine. What say you?'

”Well, that evening both men started for the farm. No friend of Jack knew his real circ.u.mstances. They knew he had been unfortunate, but did not know that it was a case of 'total wreck.' He bade a few of them good-bye, with the careless remark that he was going for a few days'

hunt down toward the sink of the Carson.

”Well, he ploughed the land, the two men planted the crop and irrigated it until the potatoes were splendidly advanced and just ready to blossom. It got to be the last of June and the promise for a bountiful crop was encouraging. They had worked steadily since the middle of March. But just then a thief, who had some money, made a false affidavit, got from a court an injunction against the men and shut off the water. It was just at the critical time when the life of the crop depended upon water. In two weeks the whole crop was ruined. In the meantime for seed and provisions, clothes, etc., a debt of one hundred and fifty dollars had been contracted at the store of a Hebrew named Isaacs. News of the injunction reached the merchant, and one morning he put in an appearance.

”'Meester Marshall, hous dings?' asked Isaacs.

”Pointing to the blackened and withering crop, Jack answered: 'They look a little bilious, don't you think so?'

”'Mine Gott! Mine Gott!' was the wailing exclamation. Then, after a pause, 'Ven does you suppose you might pay me, Meester Marshall?'

”'As things have been going of late, I think in about seven years. It is said that bad luck changes about every seven years.'

”'Mine Gott! Meester Marshall,' cried Isaacs; 'haven't you got nodings vot you can pay? I vill discount de bill--say ten per cent.'

”'Nothing that I can think of, except a dog. I have a dog that is worth two hundred dollars, but to you I will discount the dog twenty-five per cent.'

”'O, mine Gott! vot you d.i.n.ks I could do mit a dog?' said the despairing merchant.

”'Why keep him for his society, Mr. Isaacs,' was the bantering answer.

'With him salary is not so much an object as a comfortable and respectable home. There's too much alkali on the soil to encourage fleas to remain, so there's no difficulty on that score; and he's an awfully good dog, Isaacs; no bad habits, and the most regular boarder you ever saw; he has never been late to a meal since we have been here. You had better take him; twenty-five per cent is an immense discount.'

”By this time the Hebrew was nearly frantic.

”'Meester Marshall,' he said, hesitatingly, 'did you clerk ever in a store?'

”'Oh, yes.'

”'Vould you clerk for me?'

”'Yes: that is, until that bill shall be settled.'

”'Ven could you come?'

”'Whenever you wish.'

”'Vould you come next Monday--von of mine clerks, Henery, goes avay Monday?'

”'Yes, I will be on hand Monday. Let us see; it is seven miles to walk.

I will be there about nine o'clock in the morning.'

”'Vell, I danks you, Meester Marshall; danks you very much.'

”He turned away and rode off a few steps, then stopped and called back: 'Meester Marshall, if you d.i.n.ks vot de society of de dog is essential to your comfort, bring him.'