Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-07-20
SILENT BILL.

DALLs
| had been for nearly year roaming
over the West. In the course OF my wan
behring's | came upon an emigrant train
which was just starting out from "thc
States" and joined it,
The novelty soon wore off and found
the days fatiguing, the nights and SLEEP
only being desirable. had been conscious
for days of fever in my veins, but had
scorned to complain, and taking sort Of
savage delight in seeking to do an extra
amount Of toll. 1t was my turn to prepare
supper for our mess but once ready | went
off as far as | could crawl from the noise Of
the camp and the odor ofthe cooking. The
last remember of that day was my drop
ping down by the side of some shrubs.
Two weeks afterward | opened my eyes
upon different team from the one |
started with, and the driver was the largest,
most uncouth looking man ever saw. |
was on a straw bed, made up on one side
of the wagon, and in answer to my call,
the strange man bent over me. | asked
all the questions | had strength for and
then waited for the answers. He told me
in the fewest possible words that was
missed from the train, and he sent back to
look for me. That had ''bem dead beat
for two weeks and had better keep still
and go to sleep if could"
l obeycd, because could not helpit. |
received my food and medicine from the
hands of my strengthening friend, but it
seemed impossible to get any information
from him.
Ny recovery was rapid and as soon as /
made my appearance in the camp was
warmly greeted by our company and treat
ed to many an extra dish by the kind
hearted people.
learned that | had not been missed
until nearly noon of the day that was
left, and then they had halted, and "Silent
Bill" had volunteered to look me up had
found me, and had taken upon himself the
whole care during my sickness. | could
fiEd out very little about the man who
had thus brought me back to life He had
joined the company, like myself, at the
last minute, had given only the one Lame,
to which the boys added another, until he
was called all over the camp "Silent Bill.
His team was good, and he was well sup
piled with provisions, which he handed
out generally to any ore who had need.
With my returning strength, felt a
strong interest in everything, and would
gladly have been companionable and use
full, but he never called on me to do any
thing, unless some one needed help, then
he would leave the care to me for time
He was always ready to walk that Others
might ride; fatigue seemed unknown to
him. Foremost when danger threatened
was his gaunt form, and it was always his
rifle which brought in the earliest game
1t came about that he held the gratitude
of almost every one in the train, but loud
thanks seemed to offend him greatly.
lneyer saw him hesitate but once then
some children, two little girls, had been
running along with their mother, and she
asked him to lift them up into his Wagon
and give them ride, as their own team
was far behind. He went up to one o.
them, laid his hand upon the arm of one
started back, rubbed his hands together
and finally called to me.
"Put them in, will you ?" said he.
lifted them up and gave each kiss a;
seated them upon the straw.
lie was still looking at his hands.
"What's the matter?" asked, "botl
of them together wouldn't be as heavy a,
the man you bore on to camp that day
only a few weeks past"
He said nothing, but held his hands
open before me. They were brown ant
hard. care they dirty ?" asked.
eyes," said he emphatically, and shool
them out at arms length. Then he starter
up his team and did not speak again TO
hours.
All hearts became lighter as we asceEdeC
the Sierras and began to think of finding al
abiding place.
When it came to leave-taking "Bill' wa
missing, the others started on with thei
teams, and 1 staid by his until shutdown
Any number of good bys and kindly mes
sages were left with me for him. And on
woman gave me little package saying
ale was so kind to Willie when he wa
sick, and his hand made that precious it'll
grave vi Juc ulOulltullio. tuOuSul, u
know the full value of the gift, Bill shout,
have received it, as | did, wet with tn
mothers tears.
When he came back, we were aon
upon the hillside.
He asked "Why didn't you 60 on wit
the Others ?"
And | answered. "Because ] did no
choose to leave you alone after all yo
have done for me- | shall 60 with you,
you will let me, it does not make muc
difference to me where"
He looked at me keenly.
"You had better not" said he, slowly
''you will wish you hadn't some day."
We had started fire, and | could Sc
bis face by the light Of the blaze.
] felt drawn to him, not from any sym
pathy of feeling, but because was con
vinced there would come time when
could in a measure repay him for his kind
nessl me.
! reached out my hand, "We'll stcI
togetbe. while, old fellow"
He wouldn't take it, but said 9Th
kettle boils, we might about as well ca
our grub as to waste time talking"
,ah