The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-05-31


sight
There we stood, inquiringly facing Lot.
He gulpCd awhile; but finally out with
4 it,
THE Isct is bOys-Tm married" And
with this lucid explanation, Lot, with
rapid and somewhat unsteady step, disap.
peared within his cabin.
After few seconds, he hastily cmerg-
cd, bearing in his hands pack OF thumb.
cd and greasy cards set OF dice, several
worn "dime novels" and an old "COmi.
que Songster.
IL guess, boys, l shan't need these any
longer" he said, flushing paintully-al-
ternately standing on one foot, and then
shifting his weight to the other; $50 l
thought I'd ilst clean 'em cOut. Some
wimmen folk Is pertickler, ye know"
Chris took the articles, and offered to
keep them for him.
"WRl, If ye've q mind 10. I'd be much
obleeged to ye. 1t mought be possible, bare
ly possible, ye know-they'd come handy
some time" And Lot, his neck Just
bending to receive the yoke, looked for
ward with dim expectancy to dim
chance Of future relief
Plying the poor fellows evident dis
comtilurC, we relrained from Joking or
questioning him, and impaticntly await
cd those coming events" which had so
Enthusiastically "Cast their shadows be-
fore"
Just at SHUTDOWN 8 novel train was seen
vending Its way toward the camp. Lot
stood in the door Of bis cabin, while we,
drawn together little In the back ground
watched Tor developments. In advance
rode figure In female apparel, perched
upon the back OF gaunt pack horse, a
child Just past the threshold OF infancy
clasped by one arm, and another, also of
tender years, sitting astride the pillion,
It's limited embrace aspiring to encircle
the maternal waist. A trihe In the rear
came rough mOuntsineer, in the capact-
" of guide, sandWiched between the
two children Of larger growth, the ell.
der OF whom could not have exceeded
fifteen ycars. A mOnstrous dog oil the st.
Bernard breed formed, successfully flank
and rear.
Checking tho beast within q few rods
OF US, the woman gave keen, scrutiniz-
ing glance around, Which rested at last
tliXGdly upon Lot. n'r
"That's himl" she exclaimed, il q
strong, decided, though not unmusical
voice, holding significantly to the guide.
well stop"
Clasping the infant tightly, and loosing
the arms of the other from about her
waist, down she slid, 1.-the as young girl;
aud In o twinkling had the three chill
drcn on their leet, and the youngest trans
lerred to the arms Of the tcn.year old.
Lot waited In an apparently detected
mood, while she settled with the guide
from her own pocket with business'like
dispatch. Then she led her little brood,
followed closely by the dog, up to the
door OF our neighbours cabin.
"Wcll, Lot, we've come "
II see you have, MarieI!"
And the door closed upon Lot and Lis
family.
On the ensuing morning we were able
to arrive ut q 1lOre correct estimate Of the
new conner, who early introduced her
self to us us "Lots wife" She was oil fair
complexion, short In stature, and very
slim about the waist Her thin tlaXen
hair was drawn smoothly back from
prominent forehead, and fastened In a
tight.buttOned knot at the back OF her
neck. Restless blue eyes, a sharp nose,
thin cheeks, and "a firm. large mouth,
filled with even, white teeth, completed
the list OF her personal characteristics.
Energy, decision, business, was written
on every lineament oil the little woman's
countenance-spOke In every restless
move OF her "lissOme" body.
In the first three sentences she spoke a
contract was matured, to the effect that
VIC, furnishing the wherewith, should
thenceforward look 10 her to keep the
not boiling" at the average rate Of
twenty-five cents per head" per diem.
Lots children were miniature reproduc'
tons OF the mother; and were under q
control little short of automatiCal Even
Lion, the great st. Bernard, seemed to
know his place, and performed various
useful duties, under the iudtciOus eye oil
his mistress and ruling spirit.
Never had much opinion OF dogs, any
way" she said, rather apOlogetically, one
morning, US, distributing our breakfast,
she glanced at Lion and the infant, rolling
and gambling together in the deep, warm
sand. "Never could bear one, until Lion
there, then only halEgrown pup, saved
my first baby. He, just weeny, todd
ling thing, got out Of the door, and down
to the creek; and the fret thing l saw was
tie dog, bringing him ont, straDglcd and
dripping, in his mouth. wouldn't part
with that dog for his weight in gold!'
Whatever Lots Utmost mind or secret
repinings, his outward life bore evidence
- 60 lu d n
of fruitful and virtuOus industry. No
more lUitCrings at tasks or levlty OF de.
meanor; no judicial magnate ever clothed
himself in dignity and reticence more Sc
we're than characterized Lot under the
new administration, al whose head stood
his brisk little wife. =,
To us, the advent Of Lots wiIG marked
the commencement oil new era; who'll
some food, tidy cabin, and, above all,
no more darning Of socks, or washing.
days. The wilderness had begun TO bios.
som. We even attained to, now and then,
the luxury Of "biled shirt" We were
opening up new and richer vein 10 our
claim, and prosperity and contentment
smiled upon u.s.
1t was an evil day that dawned upon
our camp in the gulCh, when one OF the
boys, ten miles above US, turned in on bis
way 10 the city, almost PROSTATE from q
sudden attack of the mountain lever, and
with money to pay,a note which had be.
come due on quartz mill. lie wanted
to know II any OF us were going in, as he
could make II worth our while to do the
Grand for him, he remaining OF our cab.
until the messengers return. As it hap.
pcned, we were not intending to go for
several day, our stock Of supplies on hand
being considerable and not having enough
dust to pay for carrying it to the bank.
Lots vile, however, on learning the
! = Il -,