Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-08-02

They're a.comin'. Here they air
The stage is jist chuck full, and Tipsv
Jack Is a-crackin' that silver-handled
whip O. his'n, an jist a-makin' it whiz
BUT he,s DIN a-drinkin' sgin, reckon,
cause he's most a-tumblin' off. Stay
with 'em, Jack! Them buckin' mus
tangs most fioor anybody; specially
when they amt bossed. An stage
drivers is Che confoundedest critters / ever
seed. An yet like 'em, you bet. They
can swill down more LIQUOR. tell more
ilong-winded yarns, and air the indepeud-
entest set in all creation. 90 nv pile on
stage-drivers. They never was one on 'em
mean, nor sneaky, nor stingy, an they've
got hearts as big as punkins, Especially
Ifpsy Jack. Bill, the guide, likes me
heap, but Jack says Pm his good angel.
an that nobody on earth keers for him
'cept me, an he needs me more'n Bill
does. jist believe 1 could cure him o.
drinkin' eff l had him. 1 wish l could,
poor darlin'l" So she soliloquized, as she
stood on the sward, pretty picture, with
her bare round arms, her shaggy hair,
and arch look, swinging the shining milk
pals.
See 'em hump themselves !" she said !:
and, assuming Indifference as they ap-
preached, tripped off toward the corral.
! But Jack overlook her, and unsteadily
bumped against her pals, with How air
you, honey? Bour Jour, Golden-rod."
20, go way with your foolishing,'
said she saint got twenty cows to
milk an drive in while you fellers loaf
to say nuthin' o. ten calves-pd like to
know?"
GOOD for you, Kentucky touch-me-
not! I'm the only chap that's glad ter
see yer"
80, well amt there Josh, the new
guide, with his bran-new butternut suit
He's glad, tool shouldn't wonder. But
/ amt got no time to be sloshin' round
with chaps, when them cows is a-dyin' to
be MIXED" So, setting down the pals,
at sunset, when the mountains and sky
put on such beauty, Posy was soon seen,
mounted on fiery steed, galloping like
mad down to the fragrant meadOw-lands.
In her calico dress, great blue apron, her
flying, and with long ox-whip
cracking in the air, away she went
like an AmaZonian queen. Away
from clover, buttercups, and grass
es, mellow rang her musical voice, and
from far and near gathered the cattle,
fond of her tones. Then she came flying
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tie whole air musical with welcome tink-
ling bells, as the finely disciplined COWS
trotted up and filed into the corral. While
they were doing this, she made a dash
and fitted here and there on little spark
ing and coquetting excursions to Bill and
Josh, who were saving logs.
That night marked tired, anxious
look in Posy's eyes, as Jack was carried
off to his quarters. The next afternoon,
l saw him sitting under tree, with up
turned face, regarding her as she stood
in her June freshness among the June
roses, restlessly digging her toes into the
dirt and talking to him. Presently she
became earnest in her speech. He arose
and placed his hand upon her head as If in
benediction. "Posyw 1 called, and
wearily and half-dreamily she came in,
then turned again and lifted her hand
warningly. as Jack started toward the
camp, where they kept whisky.
"Posy," said 1, tremblingly, "what
does this mean! Answer me-"
"He promises me to never drink again, !"
she slowly said.
"What else ?'' asked. "What else ?''
"He says could save him, eff would
marry him." she said, timidly looking
up.
"The wretch 7" cried 1; "a drinking
man, forty years old, to dare make you
such proposition! Do you care for
him?" asked.
"Yes-O, yes," said she; "I'm so
sorry for him. don't exactly think i
love him, but can't keep away from him.
l dreamed last night my own first mother
told me to save him, an must do it!'
"Foolish child" 1 said, "never think
of this again. See here, Posy, he was
friendless, and he loves you because you
have become his kind friend, does he
not?'
"Yes, man," she replied.
"Well, when you were a homeless,
friendless girl, alone on the earth, who
gave you home and lovew said l.
You did-yOu did," she sobbed, and
sank beside my chair.
"Then," said I, putting my arm around
her, "haven't you perfect confidence in
my bett er Judgment? Don't you owe me
love and duty first?''
"Yes," she answ cred I'll try to
never think o. him again."
when she was off milking, l, too, was up
bade his ever daring to approach the girl
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and received his reply, like an honest
man, that the sympathy ana interest she
had felt for him had awakened memories
of better days, and with them better re-
solves; that, in her purity, she seemed an
angel calling him out of the depths; that
he had been forgetful, presuming, and
wicked In thus imposing upon the tender
heartedness of child; and he promised
to keep away from her forever.
Nearly month passed, and he did not
return, but reports came that he was
drinking himself to death, while POsy
grew thin and homesick, but bravely
banished all talk of Jack. 1 had her
join me in rides and climbs during her
leisure hours, taught her carefully, and
grew fonder of her.
I" He has took to his bed for keeps"
said Bill; "has brain fever, and calls for
Posy all the time"
II shall go to him by the mornin'
STAGE" said Posy, rising, with new and
womanly determination. my poor Jack
my poor, unloved Jack 7"
"Come into the house, girl" said.
"Are you mad, that you make such a
rash resolvew
90. mann. must pof Cod is callin,