Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1869-12-17
BUFFALO BILL !
THE KING OF BORDER MEN !


An oasis of green wood on Kansas prai-
Iie-a bright stream shining like liquid sill
yer in the mCJnlight--a log house built I'M
der the limits of great trees-within this
humble home happy group. This is my
first picture.
Look well on the leading figure in that
group. You will see him but this once, yet
on his sad fate hinges all the wild and fear
full realities which are to follow, drawn to a
very great extent, not from imagination,
but from life itself.
noble looking, white haired man sits
by rough table, reading the Bible aloud.
ON stools by his feet sit two beautiful little
girls, his twin daughters, not more than ten
years of age, while Il noble boy of twelve
or thirteen, stands by the back of the chair
where sits the handsome, yet matronly-
looking mother.
1t is the hour for family prayer before re-
firing for thenight and Mr.. Cody, the Chris
tian, always remembers it in the heart of
his dear home.
He closes the holy book and is about to
kneel and ask Heaven to bless and protect
him and his dear ones.
Hank! The sound of horses galloping
with mad speed toward his house falls upon
his ear.
ais it possible there is another Indian
alarmY' he says, inquiringly.
Alasi worse than the red savages are rid
ing in hot haste toward that door.
"llallo-the house!' is shouted loudly,
as a large cavalcade of horsemen halt before
the door,
"What is wanted and who are YEP" ask
ed the good man, as he threw wide open the
door and stood upon its threshold.
you are wanted, you black hearted mig
ger-worshipper, and I-Col. M'Kandlas-
have come to fetch you! And there's the
warrant!'
AS the rufllan leader of the band shouted
these words, the pistol already in his hands
was raised loVclod, fired, and the father
husband and Christian fell dead before his
horror-strcken family.
"If them gals was a little older-but new
er mind, boys, this will be a lesson for the
sneaks that come upon the border-let's be
off, for there's plenty more work to do be-
fore daylightv continued the wretch, turn
ing the head of his horse to ride away.
"Stop."
1t was but single word-spoken, too, by
boy whose blue eyes shone wildly in n
face as white as new-iallen snow and full as
cold-spoken as he stood erect over the body
of his dead father, weaponless and alone.
Yet that ruilian aye, and all of his mad,
reckless crew, stopped as if mighty spell
was laid upon them.
You, Jake NJ Kandlas, have murdered
my father! You, base towards, who saw
him do this dark deed spoke no word to
restrain him. | am only Little Bill, his
son, but rs God in Heaven hears me now,
will Kill every fathers son of you before
the beard grows on my facet
Hear the little rooster crow. He'll fight
when his spurs grow, if we don't cut his
comb now,' cried the leader with a mock
ing laugh, and he raised his pistol once
more
"Monster, you have robbed me of hus-
band, you Shall not kill my boy" shrieked
the mother, as she sprang forward and
drew her son up to her own bosom.
colonel, there's a big gang of men com
ing over the prairie. We'd better GIT"
u nj Al IN, - ! AZ.
AYE! For don't want to kill a woman
if can help it. Column to the right, boys,
and follow me-"
In minute, at full speed, the party dash
ed away after their leader, and the wretched
family left alone with the dead.
Frozen with terror and awe the beautiful
twins, Lille and Lotte. crept out to the
doorway, where their mother and brother
knelt over the stillcning form of him who
had been so good and kind-their dear IA
Their.
Oh, what a picture! Grief was still Nor
sob, nor tear, not even a moan arose They
were dumb with agony-parayze with a
sense Of utter bereavement.
1t is now 1861. The old log house has
disappeared, but in the same noble grove a
preiY white cottage is seen. Barns and
haysiacks all tell story of good farming
and profitable results.
ON the embowered porch of this cottage
sits the widow, still in her mourning caro-.
worn for him whose death we have already
pictured, and near he- stand two lovely
glrls-lhe twin sisters, Lille and Lottie
now in the carly bloom Of beautiful wom-
anhood.
are exceedingly beautiful. '''"
Lille held a letter in her hand ,,.Lit a. -
by;o, - .''' a. "0 swept
ir ION, mamma, mammal brother is com
ing nome, lie says he will be here before
the sun sets on the 25th. The letter 10 f.oi,,
Fort kearney, and has been long in com'
ing" s III COM
81" ,,lr not to-day the 18th" asked Lotte
To be sure it is, and he will Inc Haze
our William is wild, but he never te nHle !,
lalsehood. lie is too proud for that. Heav
en- bless him" said the mother, i'm n low
earnest tone.
"He is not coming Alone" said Lille
"IIe brings two friends with him"
ut lacks scarce half hour of sunset
said the mother.
At the same instant Lille, who had beer
glancing through an avenue which lie,
westward in the grove, cried out:
"They are comngl They are coming p
And three minutes later their horse
frothy and hot, three riders at full spec,
dashed up to the gate fronting the cottage.
sob, brother brother!" cried the tw
sisters, joyously, and all needless of tn
stranger eyes now looking on them, the
rushed out to embrace and kiss him.
Buffalo Bill, for this was he, had leane
to hide all his feelings, but with gent
tenderness he shook himself out of thoi
embraces, and presenting his two friend
by name, hurried on to meet the dear moth
er, who, with glistening eyes, waited
greet her idol and her pride.
"My good motherW was all he said, a
he pressed his manly lips to her white fore
head
"My dear sonp' was all she said, bu
'This Ia the de ohasse Of VIM. 7. Cody the grea
est hunter, guide and scout In the far West now en-
poyed in that capacity in Gen. AuNr's department
and great fayorite with Gems Custer and Sheridan
who has killed siIty-nine bufialoes In one day
hunt, has earned the name, think.