Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-02-18
Mrs. Grayson was first to

ana Iet Him take his time to come back"
"Ill CO." said lank Hoosier who went by
the title of 4" Scraggy," &C | reckon | know the
road pretty well and will get over the ground as
fast any of you"
"Thank YOU" said Styles "Now who of
you boys will go up to the cabin with me 2''
81 will, "And l." And l." spoke twenty
voices at once Quick as quiet was little re-
stored, spoke to Styles.
"Choose any of us you prefer, Mr.. Styles. We
are all willing to be of any assistance to you in
this trouble, if we can"
Well" said he refectively, " guess you
had better go for one I've heard Ike speak of
you once or twice and you wont seem like
stranger to him. guess you and | can take
care of him to- night after the doctor has seen
him. wei find out what's to be done, and if we
need any more help, Wen call upon these boys
then. Now, II you please, We'll be off, for
had to leave him all alone while come down.
There's nobody working on the gulch but us
two.n
Alone in his agony. Alone. I had not thought
of that before. Perhaps, even now, driven forth
by the delirium of pain, he might be cropping his
way along the rocky path, or lost among the
gulches. 1t took but moment for me to throw
loose blanket over my shoulders aud we started
rapidly up the creek. 1t was but rough trail
in daylight, winding along the steep mountain
side, and in the night it anything but a
pleasure trip. But, making the best time that
reached the CABIN on Sucker Gulch.
| To our delight, we found that he had not left
the house, but was lying in the bunk where his
partner had lain him. He had been up, it seemed
and brought the water-bucket to his bedside
and had wet a towel and laid it over his face to
relieve the pain. He didn't want anything, he
said in answer to our inquiries, but would we
build a fire it was cold and very dark.
| We had lighted candle when first came
in. Styles and exchanged glances and read
each others thoughts without word.
| persuaded Styles, who was pretty well tired
out, to go to bed and let me keep watch until
morning. So all through that long, dreary night
| sat by the freside, listening to the wandering
tancies which were conjured up in his tevered
brain putting in a word or two of comfort and
hope in his more lucid moments and praying
| OH how earnest-that daylight and the doctor
would come. Well, the longest night must have
an end and at last it came-the cold, grey dawn
of Christmas morning. but sorrowtul Christmas
it was to poor Ike Marston.
There was never nything that sounded sweeter
TO my ears than did the chatter of horses feet on
the frozen ground, soon after daylight the
doctor and Scraggy" came galloping up The
widows pony had given out by the time the
doctors Office was reached, but Scraggy had
pressed another into service for the home trip
After n moments conversation with me, the
physician entered the house and went to Ike's
bedside Styles reused by the noise, turned
out and, stirring the FIRE into cheerful blaze,
prepared breakfast. Scraggy and | sat down
outside the door and conversed in low tones until
the doctor came out, then glanced inquiringly at
him. He shook his head ominously.
" It's too soon to say for certain, but fear
he'll never see again. Otherwise he is not much
injured, though his face Will be badly marked.
Who is to be with him p
| could not tell him that thought the boys
would take turns.
| Well il would ha haitian if a copnIa vou
were to take the whole duty it will not be for
long. Suppose you and his partner do it until
come again. I'll leave the medicines and direc-
tions how they must be used, with you now"
promised what he required and took charge
of what he intended to leave.
| " shall come up again, day after tomorrow
if | can get away There's considerable sick
ness about lone This Winter and it keeps me pret-
ty busy. Follow the directions have written
down and it will do nearly as well as if stayed
myself. That coffee smells rather inviting and
my night ride makes feel wofsh.'
| We entered the cabin and found that Styles
had breakfast ready, to which we sat down. The
doctor and Scraggy then took their leave after
having told Styles what the Doctor had said to
me, and giving him the prescriptions, went to
bed. 1t was afternoon when awoke several
! of the boys from C-ville were there, having
come up 10 see how the sufferer was getting on
and 10 offer their friendly services. | told them
the arrangement that had been made and, taking
a message to my partners not to expect me for
some days, they left for home.
At night, my watch recommended. had
given him some strong opiates, under the infu-
ence of which he had become more quiet. / was
sitting musing by the fire when he startled me
with the question
" What does the doctor think about it p
1t was asked so Unexpectedly that | could
scarcely frame reply. He waited a moment,
and added:
There's not much hopes that will have my
sight again, is there p
! felt that it would be cruel to give him homes
which could never be realized, SO | answered.
| ono"
"That's what thought from the first It's
always best to look square at things as they are
Where's Styles P'
" Sleeping"
round for some time. Now, my friend, you
must write a letter for me-"
! " Now 2'
"Y Yes, now. You'll find pens and paper in
my valse behind the pork barrel there's ink
over the Fireplace"
| found the things where he had indicated and
drawing close to his bedside, prepared to write
as be might dictate. 1t was some time before
he spoke again when he did, his voice was
| tremuious and broken.
"Oh, God this is hardest of all. And yet
it must be done. Write, if you please" and,
taking the words from his lips, | wrote down as
| follows
At do not start the journey spoke Of am
blnd-hopeessly blind for fe-from accident while min
ing will not ask to share life which must hencerth
be burden TO myself and to all who may try berend
Let what has passed between be nothing and
est prayer will be that yet he happy with who
will love you aud strive be all to you that would have
been. Farewell Alice, forever. ISAAC MARsToN."
| sealed the letter and directed it, as he told
me, to " Miss Alice Fenwick, Rome, N. Y"
knew but too well what was passing in his
mind and made no comment though could not
but approve his act. We remained for more than
an hour in silence he spoke again
'Its pretty rough, Sandy, 10 have everything