Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-01-23
ly, but don't want them to see nv little
girl out here with me-"

~, but don't want them to see my little
girl out here with me. !"
An hour afterward, heavily laden
wagon, drawn by two stout horses, came
rolling into Gila Bend, followed by George.
A hearty welcome was extended by all to
the new arrivals-even Bose the hypo-
critic, barked and capered as though he
had not greeted his master two miles
down the road. Supper was served by
the mother and aunt, the latter being mar
rowly but furtively watched by the sta
ton keeper at Kenyon's Station. All
thoughts of business or departure seemed
banished for that night, the aunt and the
newly arrived station keeper ENJOYING
their pipes in quiet harmony a little apart
from the rest. The next morning the
second man was offered to the aunt by
George as substitute for Dora; but as
the Kenyon's Station keeper had offered
himself to her as husband earlier in the
day, the substitute was declined. Neither
George nor the second man, however,
seemed disappointed; indeed, there was
something suspicious about the readiness
with which he vert to work On the half
finished corral at the station.
That night they all sat under the trees
together; there was no more secresy or
reserve maintained A dozen papers of
the choicest brands of tobacco, and half a
dozen bottles of I" Colorado River water''
from Fort Yuma, had wonderfully mol
lifted the stepfather. AS soon as possible,
a Justice of the Peace was imported from
Arizona City, to which he was returned
after having made two happy couples at
CHA Bend.
Many months after, on my way back
from Tucson, we came, quite unexpect-
edly, between the latter place and SAGA
ton, on new shanty. 1t was built of
unhewn logs Of cottonwood and mesquite
trees, the branches, with their foliage,
furnishing the roof A certain cheerful,
homelike air about the place made me
surmise the presence Of woman ] was
not mistaken; for, though the only door
Of the hut was closed, and l could see no
window, a loud but pleasant treble voice
rang out directly: Dad-Bud Come
right hy'ere to me. l know that's her
comm thar, just know it is - and lit
tie 1.-THE body rushed out of the door and
up to the ambulance. A rough lOokin g
man came slowly from behind the house,
and Bud, with a selection of dogs at his
heels, clambered over piece Of fence
merely for the sake Of climbing, as there
was plenty of open space to cross
ing, which l did, in consideration Of
Dora's mother being at the head of it.
The family had moved back here from
Oatman's Flat, where they had given
Sam his Indian scare on our way out
Once in the house, no longer wondered
now she had discovered the ambulance,
with no windows, and the door closed.
The walls had not been "chinked,," so
that between the logs was admitted as
much light and air as the most fastidious
could desire. All around were the signs
of busy preparation; it was near Christ
mas, and they were expecting company
for the holidays. A family moving from
Texas to California had sent word, by
some vehicle swifter than their OK teams.
that they would be with them by Christ
mas day.
Beyond the half fenced clearing, the
willows and cottonwood grew close by
the river, and the mild December sun of
Arizona, lying on the rude homestead,
seemed to give promise of future peace
and well doing to those who had planted
their roof tree on the banks of the Gila
Some days later, arriving at ella Bend,
I got out of the ambulance there, and
stopped to admire brood of little chicks
just out of the shell
Chow pretty they are" said I, looking
up into Georges honest face
"Ah!' he exclaimed, his eyes lighting
up, ''but go inside, to Dora
He led the way to the room; and there,
in little cradle, lay sweet, pretty girl
baby-the first white child, so far as his
tory records that was ever born at ella