The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-09-06
BY the Camp Fire.
BY ELLIS YETTE.

We maui Soou tiilc Iudt udl, uuu
when the sun set we camped in the shad-
ows of Virginia Dale. There we're hun
dreds of miles between us and the Sier-
ras-leagues of sage brush, akali and
drifting sand but the summer had only
just opened, and we were well on our
way. The days were net yet at their
longest, but we had made thirty five
miles since sunrise and we took care of
the stock and turned in to supper with
the pleasing consciousness that We had
done well.
We were motley group old miners,
two or three old trappers, half dozen
"tender feet enjoying their experience
Of western life-a few halfbreeds, and
the usual number of mule.skinners.
This was several years ago, and do
not mind admitting that l was one of
the tender feet" to whom everything
was wonderful, and the Rocky Mountains
the acme of earthly magnifcence was
deeply impressed with the grandeur of
these western solitudes, and delighted
with the wild new world which was open
ing at every step. Then, too, l was sur
rounded with men of whose life and hab-
its knew as little as if they had been
Esquimaux and in spite of its hardships
and dangers, it was most delightful
summer.
Our plan of travel was to be on the
way soon after daylight; and, as the sun
grow stronger, to lie by for three or four
hours in the middle of the day, and con-
tnuc our journey until long after the
moon had risen. But the day on which
we reached Virginia Dale had been rath-
cr cloudy, and we had been able to travel
until sunset, and then camp in the shadow
of its wonderful rocks.
BY the time supper was over it was
quite dark, and we hcaped brush on the
camp fire, and lounged around it, smoking,
telling stories, or going to sleep. lit a
cigar, ,and managed by the Pickering light
to arrange few flowers had gathered
and was pressing for-some one at home.
| was trying to make the flowers stay in
a good position against the leaf, when a
shadow came between me and the fire and
rough voice said:
"Suthin' for the women folks, | reck.
ON ?"
"Yes," | answered, closing the book /;
III promised my sister to bring her some
flowers from the Rockies"
"Humph young man, ye needn't
blush so for your sister, an to an old chap
like me-"
offered him cigar.
Don't care eff | do; your terbaccer's
alters frst.rate."
"Of course, it came from home,"
said, with little sigh. thinking Of some
one in that home, which just then seemed
a long way off.
The old man looked up wistfuly.
"Ef ye've got home, set heap of
store by it, young man faint every
one that has,"
1t was quiet about the fire now, and
had been thinking of home, and was in
rather a softened mood but | was sur
prised to hear Indian Bill" famous for
bis hunting and wild exploits) speak in
that gentle tone.
smoked on in silence.
81 never had any home, t speak Of"
he continued, after short pause, '.an'
more's the pity; but feels eff every
youngster like you who's got home an
women felix's to care for, oughter think a
heap on EN-"
"Yes," | replied, 81 know how much
they are worth, now | am so far away,
and feel as though ! could die in their
defense"
"Dyin' s all very fine," said Indian
Bill, dryly, knocking the ashes from his
cigar, "but folks amt often called on to
die fur folks-leastwise not where you
was raised and bein' kind an keeriu Of
'em every day s more count sometimes
than all yer dyin'. Ye may have a wife
and home of yer own some day; yen do
well to think ont"
"God grant it !" said softly.
The fire was deadening little, and
Bill gathered the falling brands, put on
fresh wood, and sat down again in the
glare of the flames.
II dunno what brought it to mind,
he began again, "but I've been thinking
of suthin' that happened onst, when was
crossin' e few years ago."
Something that happened to you"
asked.
"Not 10 me, but to some women folks
in our train. l haint thought ont be.
fore for good spell. an dunno why
do now-only twas nigh this time O. year
and jest sich night as this"
Suppose you tell me about it," sug.
gested, as | threw away the stump Of
my cigar and wrapped myself in my
blanket.
"Tain't much to tell,' he answered
oOnlv IL makas N Mandarin, folIar l;la m, a