The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-01-22

asked for a hotel. and was told there
was none nearer than Columbia, which
was yet two miles away. Two miles !!
Could he ever walk two miles more.
He continued his journey, however, eud
at 8 p. m. found himself il the express
office in Columbia.
1t was Saturday night, and tie miners
were thronging the Office to sell their
dust. AT last he made his way to the
counter, and while waiting his turn SO
fearfully did bis lower limbs pain him
that he supported himself upon his
elbows on the counter 20 rest himself.
At length, in answer to the sharp
"Well, sir, what Can I do for you 2"
Jep asked for 8 letter. There was no
letter tor Jep Smith, 10 package, no
nothing. This was terrible. lie had
certainly expected 4 letter with 3 remit
lance, and he had nothing. BIS res0lu-
tion was quickly taken. He turned to II
civil-looking miner beside him and asked
him heif would tell him where the best
hotel in town was. His idea was to go
straight to the landlord, tell him al
about the Smiths, and beg his indul-
gence for q week or two until his remit
lance came. The miner said politely,
q will show you, sir, a good hotel"
He followed the miner around the
corner, and III a few minutes was
brought face tC face with a woman who
seemed to his tired eyes a very Amazon.
The miner said "MIs. McGraw, this
gentleman wants board and a private
room for q week or perhaps ten days"
The eyed Jep for Il moment be-
fore she answered, aud in that moment
his resolution was taken 10 say nothing
of his depleted purse, for he knew it
would not answe with her, and he Was
too weary to go further. The woman
spoke at last "Misther, We has hut
n private room, and it comes very
high" Jep looked up frank and clear
as he answered Madam, money is
no object in the world with me at PIES
ent /; all I want is a place by myself
where l can be quiet for a few days"
Every well, SIR" said the woman,
shortly. Have you had supper?" Jep
went to the supper table, drank a cup
of TEA, but could not eat one mouthfui.
He left the table. found Il bath-house,
and in a bath as hot as lie could bear
experienced Instant relief for his aching
limbs. He slept that night like a mill
i~onaire.
Descending next morning to the bar
room, the landlord, the husband of the
Amazon, was or watch. He was short
man, with Shaggy eyebrows and It fear
fully broad pair Of shoulders. Jep re-
fused the drink prcffered him by this
host, and sat Gown to think things over
a little. Hardy was he seated when a
man came from the breakfast room.
"Four bits" said the host, shortly.
" Railey, SIR" said the man, Il have
not the coin now jist, but / VIII bring
it to yees tomorrow" "You will?'
said the host, sententiousiy, and, COM
ing from behind the bar, he laid one
terrible hand on the mans neck and
with one kick raised him almost to the
ceiling. Then, Selling him with the
disengaged hand, he hoisted him at
arms length and tossed him through
the door and over the sidewalk, appar-
emily without an effort. He then, with
out speaking, returned behind the bar,
and again took up his watch without
the slightest trace of excitement or emo
ton, IS if whai he had done was a nee
essary and frequent accompaniment of
bookkeeping il the mountains.
Meanwhile .ep was calculating what
happen in case his remittance
was delayed. The week wore away
without incident. There was breakfast
and dinner and supper every day, ard
the Bridget who waited upon the table
every dinner would come to Jep and
say "Will yees have some of the roast
poark, or the roast bafe, or a bit of the
baked heart ?" Those three dishes were
indelibly Impressed on Jep's memory
during that weG. The second Sunday
came, an , MONDAY and Tuesday. The
express reached Columbia about 3 p. N.
That last afternoon Jep, as he passed
the barroom to go TO the ex-
Dress. Office, noticed the host and host