The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1874-03-19

l
tieman's political aspirations when he
had opportunity. This friendly rela-
ton with thieves was not what he
would have liked to see in favorite
candidate, but . cursed fatality
seemed to be dragging down all his
high aspirations. II was like one Of
those old legends he had heard his
mother recite of men who had began
by little bargains with the devil and
had presently found themselves in
volved in evil entanglements on every
hand.
CHAPTER XVI.
SHORT sHRIFT.
But Morton had no time to busy
himself now with nice scruples.
Bread and meat are considerations
more imperative 10 healthy man
than conscience. He had no money.
He might turn aside from the trail TO
hunt; indeed this was what he had
meant to do when he started. But,
ever as he travelled. he became more
and more desirous Of getting away
from himself. He was now full sixty
or seventy miles from home, but he
could not make up his mind to stop
and devote himself to hunting. At
four o'clock the valley OF the Mustoga
Law before him, and Morton, still pur-
poseless, rode on. But ever Is he
rode the habitual thought Of his
duty to his mother was returning
upon him, and he was moro and more
inclined to turn back. After all, his
flight seemed foolish. Patty might
not yet be lost; and as to Kike's
revival, why should he yield to it
unless he chose!
In this painful indecision he re-
solved TO stop and crave . nights
lodging ut the crossing Of the river.
He was the more disposed to this
that Dolly, having been ridden hard
al day without food, showed unmis-
taxable signs Of exhaustion, and il
was now showing. He would give
her nights rest, and then perhaps
take the road back to the Hissawa-
chee.
"Hello the housed" he called.
"Hello!"
A long, hank man, in butternut
Jeans, opened the door, and respond
ed with .'Hellow
ssCan | get to stay here all night?"
eWal, no. | low not, stranger.
Kinder full tonight. You mout git
place about mile furder on whar
you could hang up fer the night,
mos likely; but l cant keep you, no
ways"
ssMy mares dreadful tired, and |
can sleep anywhere" said Morton.
ssShe does look sorter tuckered out,
sartain; blamed if she don't! Whar
did you git hery'
Raised her." said Morton.
''Whar abouts?"
.sHissawachee."
"You don't say! How far you rid
her to-dayY
..From Jonesvillc.r
"Jam up fifty miles, and over tough
roads! Mighty purity critter, that
air. Powerful clean legs. She's
number one. Is she your'n, did yon
sayy"
"Wcll, not exactly mine. That
is-.' Here Morton hesitated.
"Strsnger," said the settler, ''you
can't put up here, no ways. ! tuck
in one Of your sort month ago and
he rid my sorrel mare of in the mid
die Of the night. I'll bore hole
through him, ef ever set eyes on
him." And the man had disappeared
in the house before Morton could re-
ply
To be in a snow storm without
shelter is unpleasant; to be refused
a lodging and to be mistaken for
horse thief filed the cup of Morton's
bitterness. He reluctantly turned
his horses head toward the river.
There was no ferry, and the stream
was so swollen that he must needs
swim Dolly across.
He frightened his girth, stroked
Dolly affectionately, with a feeling
that she was the only friend he had
left. "Well, Dolly" he said, "it's
too bad to make you swim, after such
q day; but you must. If We drown,
well drown together
The weary Dolly put her head
against his cheek in dumb trustful-
ness.
There was road cut through the
steep bank on the other side, SO that
travellers might ride down to the
waters edge. Knowing that he
would have to come out at that place,
Young Goodwin rode into the water
as far up the stream as he could find
suitable place. Then, turning the
mares head upward, he started
across. Dolly swan bravely enough
| until she reached the middle Of the
stream; then, finding her strength
well nigh exhausted after her travel,
| and under the burden of her master,
she refused his guidance, and turned
her head directly toward the road,
which offered the only place of exit.
The rapid current swept horse and
rider down the stream; but still
Dolly fought brsvely, and At last,
struck land just below the road.
Morton grssped the bushes over his
head, urged Dolly to greater exer-
Itious, and the well-bred creature,
rousing al the remains Of her mag
ni6cent force, succeeded in reaching
the road. Then the young man got
down and caressed her, and, looking
back At the water, wondered why he
should have struggled to preserve .
life that he WAS mot able to regulate
and that promised him nothing but
misery aod embarrassment.
. The snow was now falling rapidly,
and Morton pushed his tired 6lley On
another mile. Again be hallooed.-
This time he was welcomed by On