Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-07-30
Chs..d-A Frontier story Of To-day.

We. we never DeBSeu oeIOIe, SIT, hhu
please God, we never will again."
The Relief Commissioner looked kindly
down into Bess Nelson's pleading face,
and answered.
"Bless you, sis there isn't shadow of
an apology due. We're all alike in Kansas
this year-prairie chickens, as it were, with
our pinfeathers picked clean out; fighting
our way through the coolest weather, too,
that has been known for thirty years."
always bad luck in Kansas. blame
the day that ever l squatted on its onery
SOIL" grumbled a settler, who stood be-
hind Bess and Johnnie.
"Look here, sir" said Johnnie, turning
npon them with dsapproval. "Kansas
isn't busted yet, not by long way round.
She's the best state in the Union, all things
considered. reckon If the grasshoppers
had lit down in the valley of the Connecli-
cut, they'd have cleaned things out as
neatly as they did here. The only differ
ence, the people there'd have back crops to
climb up on. We haven't; but we're go
ing to have, some time. Then we'll invite
the hoppers down again, and tell 'em to
pitch in and stuff themselves"
"Thars the right kind OF talk, my boy.
Better days for suffering Kansas. Wen
try her again next year for better luck"
said thinly-olad but noble-looking from
tiers man, laying an approving hand on
Johnnes shoulder
Johnnie and Bess Nelson had come up
to Fort Dodge from their fathers claim,
lau In lxr ~ of
Commissioner for supplies TO carry 10 their
desti tule home. Shivering under their
scanty garments, "with stomacbs big as
Ma ammoth Cave" all the afternoon they
had waited for the train which was TO bring
the needed aid sent by the good people
eastward. About them stood a band OF
anxious, care-worn farmers, all having
Bess and Johnnie.
Late in the afternoon the train arrived.
The wintry twilight had almost set in ere
johnnie and Bess had received in full the
liberal share Of supplies allotted 10 them.
But more jubiant boy and girl never
started on a homeward trip. They had
-four, honiny and ham, tea, coffee, sugar
duu Oluel dIlltltS vi lOOug SuOtS lOI lut
little barefoot brothers, and baby Belle, at
home; wooden clothes, and even medicine
for mothers chills and falher's rheuma-
tism.
Johnnie drove his own red mustang,
Prancer, harnessed to hickory jumper
a rude but serviceable affair, made by Mr..
Nelson. Now, then, we must travel live
ly," said Johnnie, as they glided over the
snowy prairie between Fort Dodge and
Smoky Hill Timber. Fifteen miles home,
and after sunset.
'TwOuld be no matter only that pa and
ma are sick, and they are all so hungry at
home" said Bcss. "Its bright moonlight,
and we have big buffalo robe 10 keep us
warm. TN so glad the grasshoppers
couldn't eat this up, anyhow"
Wrapping themselves snugly in the
robe, Bess and Johnnie fell TO eating eager
ly the supper of crackers and dried beef
they had spared themselves-small, in
deed, because OF the hungry loved ones
waiting in the rairie cabin. When they
had finished, Bess took nap, while John
ME whistled softly and made future plans,
INV EiaSShOPINisg NAOhhbI anu
chinch-bugs did not enter.
The road home led most of the way
through Smoky Hill timber. The trees
were thick on either side, but the moon
shone brightly overhead, and Stars glim-
mered in the cold, clear sky.
In the loneliest part of the timber tired
Bess awoke. Prancer had settled into a
tagging gait.
Poor little Mustang! how weak he is"
said Bess, pityingly. "Hes been so near
ly starved all winter, I'm afraid the trip
will use him up entirely"
"Hush, BessW was Johnnie's only an
swer. He had thrown off the buffalo robe,
and was sitting in an erect and listening
attitude.
Bess pushed back her brown hood from
her ears, and listened too.
"Johnnie," she said at length, ~ hear
something bowling behind us. Rover
didn't go with us to Fort Dodge. Do you
suppose there's a strange dog following
us?" Johnnie only listened more intently.
Bess gave Johnnies hand a nervous
clutch.
at sounds nearer now, and there's a lot
of 'em bowling together" she said, in a
low, frightened tone. "They say lha
wolves are unusually fierce this wihter
Wolves sound some like dogs, don,t they ??
Johnnie's answer was quick and reso
late. "You can be brave girl, Bess. The
wolves are afler us. Get down in from
and hold the reins. Whip Prancer hard
| II need be-iuto a dead runu
As Johnnie said, Bess could be brave
girl. She quickly saw the feaI full danger
that threatened. Slipping down 10 front
she seized the reins and cruel stick, will
which to whip the tender little pony,
whom she loved almost as well as John
ME. Holding in his hand a loaded revol
yer, which he had brought along as a pre-
caution, Johnnie turned his face towards
the backward road.
At the first touch OF the whip, TO wbicl
he was so unused, Prancer leaped forward
into desperate run, but the terrible pur
suers gained upon him rapidly. Soon
violent painting could be heard, aud thu
leader Of the pack appeared in sight. MIN
wolves were closely following at his heels
Almost in twinkling the foremos
wolf was tearing at the buffalo robe, on
end of which had fallen from The slelgl
behind. Johnnie fired upon him. Wit
howl of rage and pain the savage crea
ture released his hold and fell backward
in the snow. The scent of blood madden
ed the remainder of the pack. They paus
ed in the pursuit TO rush upon the wound
ed wolf, quarrelling ferociously as
which should taste the last drop of blood
This gave Johnnie temporary lest, al
though he knew the wolves would be alle