THE SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS
hopper,' says Wash, 'but I know you don't need no pole t' lift that thing.'
"'How'd you lift it then?' says t'other.
"'Why I'd jest catch holt an' lift,' says Wash.
"The gang like t' bust themselves laughin'. 'Why you blame fool,' says the boas; 'do you know what that engine'll weigh?"
"'Don't care a cuss what she'll weigh,' says Wash. 'She ain't planted there, is she?' An' with that he climbs down from th' wagon, an' dad burn me if he didn't take holt o' that hind ex an' lift one whole side o' that there engine clean off th' ground. Them fellers jest stood 'round an' looked at him t' beat th' stir. 'Well,' says Wash, still a keepin' his holt; slide a block under her an' I'll mosey along!
"That boss didn't say a word 'till he'd got a bottle from a box on th' wagon an' handed, hit t' Wash; then he says kind o' scared like, 'Where in hell are you from, Mister?'
"'Oh, I'm jest a kid from over on Roark,' says Wash, handin' th' bottle t' me. 'You ought t' see some o' th' men in my neighborhood!' Then we went on."
When the speaker had finished, there was quiet for a little; then the young man from the river drawled, "How much did you say that there engine 'd weigh, Joe?"
There was a general laugh at this, which the ad-
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