The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1872-12-21

Dora was tendery strolling the dogs
rough coat azmr be dreadful,
! ! ! ! : ! !
When he spa$ was OF some
thing quite diae. ana, after a while,
the conversation med to her f-mily.
Her stepfather didhot always treat her
well; he struck he. cruelty once-and
her mother dared rot interfere, knowing
his temper but toowen. George could
hardly keep frog putting his arms
about her to shiela her from the mans
rough ways; and il his heart he vowed
that it should be siferent, if Dora did
but VIII it so The stepfather and aunt
had spoken Of pulling up stakes soon,
but Dora was ayerse to going.
In the evening George proposed to
the stepfather that he remain at the
station and farm it, near the river,
while the mother kept house for them
all, and served m,als to the travelling
public Of Arizona. From chronic per-
verseness he refuaed, saying that he
wanted to go to Cstsfornia; and George
determined to hasten matters in another
direction. He lowered as much as pos
sible about Dora, Who, since the day by
the river side, had taken Bose into her
confidence and affection Wherever
shewent the dog went too, and his pas-
t(gjugured well for himself from 4is,
though Dora was shy and more distant
than when she first came to Gila Bend.
One day the Texans commenced
gathering up their g tricks" and making
ready to go. Dora's eyes were red, and
George-to see her, perhaps-proposed
a walk to the river bank When they
c0me back she seemed even more shy
though she stole mp to him in the twi-
light where he stood by the mesquite
tree, and hastily put her hands into his
He drew her to him quickly, pressed
her head to his breast, and murmured
Thanks, my little girl, as he touched
her hair with his lips. An hour later
there was clamor and confusion at Gili
Bend. George caused it all, for to hin
the aunt vehemently declared that sh,
/, toould have the girl to drive her OK
team into California--she had hired he
and paid for her; and the stepfathe
shouted that he had control of tn,
child, and go she should, whether o
no.
Poor George passed a sleepless night
The picture of Dora-barefooted anc
weary, toiling hopelessly through TIN
, sand on the desert-was always befor
hipl-, and he swore to himself that sh
sh0 d not go: that he would sheete
; her henceforth from the cruel, burning
sun, and the sharp words and sharpe
blows of her stepfather Exacting
promise from the emigrants to remai
until he returned, he started out alon
,, on his trusty horse, Bose running clos
l by his side. After F'fiefssshe shelter Q
the trees, he halted and looked keenl
about in every direes sSn. A sharp bar
4 from Bose detecteskDora crossing tn
g stretch of land beS zen the road an
the river, and whe3 she reached tn
lone horseman, light bound brougt
her foot into the stirrup, and he
I flushed face on fevel with his.
Thanks, my liNHle girl; knew yo
would come, he /, ,iI, as on the nigi
before; but this tik - held her fac
between his hand looked searci
, ingly into her ey What II the
! should try to take DJ little giri ava
I before 1 come back would she go 9
and leave me?"
She met his look arlessly ana aot;, 60
fdingly. "Tell me in what ofeoSi, 's
you are going, and I'll run sasors a~ss :, :,
follow you if thevs
e return" = Hi
y Toward FQslai1lsu16
Q day and z a;2zht