Hugh Pendexter,
The Oracles of the Stove
(1906)
“ What a life that man must lead!” chimed in Jim Lougee, the highway commissioner.At this point the door opened and a muffled figure stamped noisily in. When the face emerged from the deep coat-collar it was Lem Lubert himself, and I wondered how the iconoclasts would cover their confusion. ”
Hugh Pendexter,
The Oracles of the Stove
(1906)
“ But none was, and he walked alone to the door, paused a minute, and then, after casting a suspicious glance backward, raised the latch.“Will’s close enough on a bargain,” said Commissioner Lougee, making some fine pine shavings.“Close!” laughed Si sneeringly, helping himself to a prune; “wal, I should say so.”“I hear he tried ter git th’ best of Jeff Pashley in a cattle-deal,” observed Mr. Currier. “A man that’ll keep away from his mother so long is a purty hard man ter beat,” suggested Jessup.“Not what you’d call a warm-hearted man,” sighed Mr. lougee. ”
Hugh Pendexter,
The Oracles of the Stove
(1906)
“ Then he paused and fumbled his hat in silence.“Yas, but—but—go on,” cried the storekeeper.“Well, there isn’t much to tell. I was in the brush against Sheridan’s men when young Pashley was shot. That was in the Shenandoah. He was brought into our lines, mortally wounded, and before he died he told me as how he’d run away from home to go to war, and all about his people. I told him if ever I come North I’d hunt his people up. That was a long time ago,” he added thoughtfully; “a long time ago.”“But you came at last, Mr.—Pashley?” I prompted, hesitating as to how I should style him. ”
