Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-02-07

; and plodded on, his face white and tee
set.
sAllons. allons! entans de Ia patrie
he fairly yelled, without waiting for t
tune.
/ 1t grew darker; but that, he though
was only when the moon again came o
how low down the slope of the sky
that ne had been wandering all day and
into the night. Another hour passe
The snow rose higher above his body
half-crazed as he was, it seemed liyiu
grave creeping up to cover him; it was
matter of life and death for him now to o
/ on.
But / cannot go on" he said, wit
white lips.
An awful shivering seized him; for IL
first time in his life he lost control of h
limbs. He looked up into the thick gra
clouds with the feeling that God was thel
somewhere. If he knew Him better. h
would pray to Him. But it was Ion
time since he had prayed; like many co
lege boys, he thought that was u matte
for women and children more than fo
men.
He unstrapped the yalise and put it dow
under dead tree, und then lay down be
side it. The snow was soft and warm :: h
could not fight against the unnatura
drowsiness.
''This is death. then?' he said. He ha,
often thought of the agony of that las
parting with his mother, and how coult
he overcome it with noble thoughts ant
soldierly courage; but now he Onl,
thought how comfortable the snow was
warm us feather bed If his feet wer.
only dry! His eyes closed. The feathery
flakes began to fall on his face.
Suddenly, but a little way of, roaring
voice began to sing:
And the aunts and cousins
Came out BY dozens;
Ill blood relations to me, Lord Donamore "
Walter moved uneasily. and sat up. The
lethargy Of coming death was heavily up.
on him; he knew through it that there
was chance for life; but rest was sweet
er. lie sank down again. Then the boy
the promise, and it stung him
like Il spur. lie got up, clapped his arms
weakly to bring back the circulation. and
staggered on a few steps. Below him was
low hut. constructed ofunpllned boards.
the sroke pouring through hole in the
roof.
''Ch! 'iis there you'n hers ;he thru5hes warb-
ing,
IN the vale, convanient to swate i,allinfad. -
The voice was Enthusiastically vicious and
Trunk.
''Some blood-thirsty cut-tlroat,' thought
Walter. 'Who else would be watching at
his time of night:''
lie took off his seal-ring. gold watch.
md diamond scarf-pin. and dropped them
n his boots. There was no use in tempt
ng him to murder.
Then lie walked on and pushed open the
loor.
''God save us!'' shouted Il kindly voice.
nd with the next breath Walter felt HIM
elf lifted in a pair of strong arms and
arried like a baby to the fire. The heat
'verpowered him. He tried to speak, and
hen lay as if dead on the man knees.
n 4
"And it's Christmas day, you say, Jim?"
Christmas it is. Here's your soup now,
ot as blazes. Be the powers, it'll be the
Ob to stretch the pervissions till to-mor-
ow, ye greedy young gossoon, you?''
Walter laughed and drew himself weakly
p in bed. leaning against the man breast,
While he ate the steaming mutton broth,
ut of the yellow crock. II never tasted
nything so good,' soaking the last drops
4 the crust.
Well, three days ago, when We came
0 that dure, thought it was yer coffin
d be maxim for yees instead of SOUP
Jim pulled up the straw pillow at his
ack, and settled his head, stroking back
is hair with fingers black, to be sure, but
entle as wOman's. On chair by the
re hung Walters clothes, clean and dry,
ut ragged with dragging through briars
nd rocks.
''If it hadn't been for you, Jim, I'd have
eeded coffin sure enough said Walter.
Who did you think was that night? - a
tile curious to know if his rank had be-
rayed him through his rags and wet.
'Be jabbers, l thought you were a col
er's boy from the pit. There's one there
'ho has just the cut of your face. When
found the .joorly in the boot, l knowcd
av course. There it is. by the
v, on the Shelf" He handed it to Walter,
ut the boy let the glittering heap fall on
he bed, and took the red, grimy hand in
18th of his.
''Old JIM" he cried. After awhile he
aid, "You couldn't have done more for
ne if l had been your BROTHER
Jim jerked his hand away with
Sjcksh" He was not given to talking
ointment.
"D'ye s'pose any man I'D sit still wild
10Y freeZin' at his dure?'' he said gruffiy,
'ut he was pleased. Walter saw it. He
ay wondering why he had become SC 'ond
f this fellow, who was nothing but an
rish labOrer, set to watch the railroad be-
ide which his hut stood. 1t was not alone
'ecause he had saved his life; it was for the
trength and tenderness. and queer, path
tic humor, that lay under his dirt and ig-
Orance.
$50 you thought I was collier boy"
le said presently. Why. I'm one of the
)ucliffs of Philadelphia. JIM"
"All blood relations to me, Lord Dona-
nore!'' he sang. Walters face grew red,
'ut he laughed.
The shrek and whistle of train were
card just then, and Jim disappeared with
lis flag, and came back grinning with de-
ght, carrying a basket. II told the stoker
bout you yesterday, and he fetched bit
f beet, and his ovid woman sent some
ay, and one of the firemen brought YOU a
hicken. By golly, We'll have Christmas
inner, after all.''