Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-03-28


arm, and another, also of tender years,
sitting astride the pillion, its limited em.
brace aspiring to encircle the maternal
waist. A trifle in the rear came a rough
mountaineer, in the capacity of guide,
sandwiched between two children of a
larger growth, the elder Of whom could
not have exceeded the age of ten years.
A monstrous dog Of the st. Bernard
breed, formed, suocessively, flank and
rear.
Checking the beast within few rods
of us, the woman gave keen, scrutiniz-
ing glance around, which rested at last
fixedly upon the countenance of Lot.
"That's him" she exclaimed, in a
strong, decided, though not unmusical
voice, nodding significantly TO the guide
"We'll stop"
Clasping the infant tightly, and loosing
the arms of the other from about her
waist, down she slid, 1.-THE as a young
girl; and in twinkling had the three
children on their feet, and the youngest
transferred to the arms of the ten.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.
"Well, Lot, we've come"
"l see you have, Marierl'
And the door closed upon Lot and his
family.
On the ensuing morning we were able
10 arrive ut more correct estimate of the
new conner, who early introduced herself
to us as Lots wife" She was of fair
complexion, short in stature, and very
slim about the waist. Her thin flaxen
hair was drawn smoothly back from
prominent forehead, and fastened in a
tight button-like knot at the back of her
neck Restless blue eyes, sharp nose,
thin cheeks, and firm, large mouth,
filed with even, white teeth, completed
the list of her personal characteristics
Energy, decision, business, was written
on every lineament of 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
we, furnishing the wherewith, should
thenceforward look to her to "keep the
pot boiling" at the average rate of
twenty-five cents head per diem.
Lots children were miniature reproduc-
tions of the mother; ana were under a
VI.
Lion, the great St. Bernard, seemed to
know his place, and performed various
useful duties, under the iudicious eve of
his mistress and ruling spirit.
"Never had much opinion of dogs,
anyway" she said, rather apologetically,
one morning, as, distributing our break.
fast, she glanced at Lion and the infant
rolling and gamboling together in the
deep warm sand. "Never could
bear one, until Lion there, then
only half-grown pup, saved my first
baby. He, just weeny, toddling thing
got out of the door, and down
to the creek; and the first thing | saw
was the dog, bringing him out, strangled
and dripping, in his mouth. / wouldn't
part with that dog for his weight in gold"
Whatever Lots inmost mind or secret
repinings, his outward life bore evidence
of a marked revolution toward the side of
fruitful and virtuous industry. No more
loiterings at tasks or levity of demeanor;
no judicial maguate ever clothed himself
in dignity and Teticence more severe than
characterized Lot under the new admin.
istration, at whose head stood his brisk
little wife.
To us, the advent of Lots wife marked
the commencement of new era; whole
some food, a 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 ofa "biled shirt" We were
opening up new and richer vein in our
claim, and prosperity and contentment
smiled upon us.
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 his
way to the city, almost PROSTATE from a
sudden attack of mountain fever, and
with money to pay note which had be.
come due on quartz mill. He wanted
to know if any of us were going in, as he
could make it worth our while to do the
errand for him, he remaining at our cabin
until the messengers return. As it hap
pened, we were not intending to go for
several days, our stock of supplies on
hand being considerable, and not having
enough dust to pay for carrying to the
bank
Lots wife, however, on learning the
state OF affairs, was observed to commu-
nicate some instructions to the ten-year-
old, who Immediately "Iit out" in the
direction of his fathers claim. A few
moments, and Lot himself came in.
He was willing to accommodate, and
would go to the city. His claim
wasn't paying him much; and he
might as well look about a little. All
OF which familiar terms might have been
translated to mean that his wife was not
at all averse to earning the 'something"
before intimated which should "make il
worth his while" None of us questioned
Lots honesty, and we made haste to get
him OFT as soon as possible.
1t was after nightfall of the ensuing
day, when he was seen riding furiously
toward the camp, looking neither right
nor left, batting neither breath nor speed,
until, opposite his own threshold, he
leaped to the ground, dashed inside the
cabin, and slammed the door.
We had scarce time to wonder at this
strange and unusual proceeding, when
there swarmed upon us party of men
armed, and stern, members of Vigilance
Committee.
Their errand was soon made known;
they were in pursuit of the unhappy
Lot.
A party instantly surrounded his cabin.
Ihen the whole OF the unfortunate affair |
came out. Lots spirit, released from its |
accustomed restraint, had rebOunded like |
a balloon that has thrown over its ballast.
y Marier's" last words were useless as the
wind against this sudden and overwhelm- |
ing elation, born of renewed liberty. His |
journey furnished him a golden oppor. |
tunity, though brief, for the renewal of |
those harmless indulgences of late So
foregone.
A chance acquaintance, met just in the
edge of town, easily led the way to a
friendly tipple in the nearest saloon.
This exchange of good-fellowship evontu.
ally resulted in many more, under the
influence of which, no Roths-
child ever felt richer than did Lot with
4he trustmoney in his hand.
What occurred thereafter, passed 10
Lot like troubled dream. There was a
vague remembrance of all hands at the
bar, scuf1e, pistol-shot or two; and
then the mad race home, a trust betrayed,
The stain of blood upon his hands, and
The "Vigilantes" close upon his heels.
They were sure enough of him now
Twelve men to one, and he trapped like a