The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-09-01
Miscellaneous.
Silent Bill.

/ have been for nearly year roam
ing over the West. In the course of my
wandering 1 came upon wagon train
which was just starting from "the
States" and joined it.
The novelty soon wore off, and l
found the days fatiguing, the nights and
sleep only being desirable. / had been
conscious for days of II fever in my
veins, but had scorned to complain, and
took 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 l went off rs far as |
could crawl from the noise of the camp
and the odor of tho cooking. The last
remember of that day was my drop
ping down beside some shrubs.
Two weeks aftcrward l opened my
eyes on different team than the one
started with, and the driver was the
largest, most uncouth looking man
ever saw. ! laid on straw bed, made
upon one side Of the wagon, and in an
swer to my call, the strange man bent
over me. | asked all the questions my
strength allowed, and then waited for
the answers. He told me in the fewest
possible words that was missed from
the train, and he went back to look for
me. That had "been dead beat for
two weeks, and had better keep still and
go to sleep If | could"
! Obeyed, because | could not help it..
| received my food and medicine from
the hands ofmy strange-looking friend,
but it seemed impossible TO get any fur
ther information from him.
My recovery was rapid, and as soon
as made my appearance in camp /
was warmly greeted by our company
and treated to many an extra dish by
the kind-hcarted people.
l learned that | had not been missed
till nearly noon of the day was left,
and then they halted, and "Silent Bill"
volunteered to look me up, and found
me, and took upon himself to care for me
during my sickness. | could find out
but very little about the man who had
thus brought me back to life. lie had
joined the company, like myself, at the
last moment, had given only the one
name, to which the boys added another,
until he was called all over the camp,
"Silent BILL" His team was good, and
he was well supplied with provisions,
which he generally handed out to any
one who had need.
with my returning strength, | felt a
strong interest in everything he did,
and would gladly have been compan.
ionablc and useful, dut he never called
on me TO do anything, 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. Fore
most when danger threatened was hi,
gaunt form, and it was always his rifle
which brought in the earliest game. /
came about that he held the gratitude
of almost every one in the train, bu
loud thanks seemed tooiiend him great
ly.
| never saw him hesitate but once
then some children, two little girls, ,haC
been running along with their mother
and she asked him to lift them into tn
wagon and give them a ride, as thei
own team was far behind. He went III
to one of them, laid his hand on its arm
started back, rubbed his hands togethe
and finally called TO me:
Put them in, will yOu?"
lifted them up and gave each a kis
as seated them upon the straw
lie was still looking at his hands.
"What's the matter? | asked.
lie said nothing, but held his hand
open before me. They were brown an,
hard.
"Are they dirty ?" asked.
eyes," said he emphatically, an
shot them out at arms length. The
he started his team and did not spea
again for hours.
All hearts became lighter as we a.
cended the Sierras and began to thin
of finding an abiding place
When ii came TO leave.taking "Bill
was missing. The others started o
with their teams, but l staid by his III
til the sun went down. Any numbt
good'byes and kindly messages wei
left with me for him. And one woma
, gave ne little package saying; "H
was so kind TO Willie when he was sicl