River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-02-28

quilt ready to receive them with proper
surprise aud dignity. But when they
came the work fall from her hands, her
skin turned ashen-gray,. she shook in
every limb, for Tom Jack was the first
man who burst Into the room-Tom Jack,
strong in virile life, angry-eyed, long
knife stuck in his belt.
Aunt Mely was a shrewd old soul; she
recovered herself instantly and said moth
ing. spill sarrnly shot somebody" she
thought, sand III jis' mol my tongue till
see how things is gwine to turn out.
"Where is Phil Vickersl" said Tom in
a voice deep wiIh passion.
"Phil Vickess2 Why, | amt seed dc
boy sence went over 10 his house five or
six days ago t. get settin' of eggs Miss
Betty'd been sayin' up for me-
"Now, come, Aunt Mely," said one of
the party good 7humoredly, "you needn't
lie. Little Sally Polk saw him come
right in yer tlo' We left policeman
huntin' him in the city, and was on our
way back to fEopefield when the child
told us whar be were
50 my soul What's poor Phil done
that you're all a-huntip him like lot o.
foun's2"
"Phil's had i little shooting affair, said
the good-natlired man
Who'd he shoot"
who'd he Shoot?" cried Tom. "The
sweetest, brightest creetur' the Lord ever
made--iny sister Nancy Jack
In the dreadful silehee that followed a.
convulsive, gasping sound was heard
The next moment Phil sprang out, his
hair and clothes covere with mould like
specter frons the grave. as this true,
boys? Did kill Nancy" he said in
harsh, hollow voice.
| Jack sprang at him, his knife flashing
in the air Bat he was caught and held
| by one Of the men with him: "Soltly,
Tom, softly Let Phil have fair play"
Fair play for man who shot down
my sister in cold bloodI'
"As God sees, me, Tom, ] thought it
was you kissing Little Betty"
"Tbat's az argument, Tom,' said the
third man, Who had a long, sad face, and
who fingered over his words as if he were
pattIpg thels =" that's an argument as II
90 down with the jury 1t was night;
| you an Massey are alike in the face;
| YOU'VE got ns1 whiskers, you know, Tom.
! How was PEI to know that it was Nancy
shown l.erself oft to little Betty
dressed up 10 your elo'es for Moody
Gras frclicN
AS he heard curious change came
over Phil. ills knees began TO shake
pitiably, his body to collapse. He held
out his hand as if trying to steady him
self, and grasping only air, he fell slowly
to the floor, saying in stifled voice,
q Let Tom Slll me; amt ii to live"
"The haiygman, will DO II Tor me, y said
Tom with 8, snarl.
as the l,,or gal dea 2" said Aunt
Nelly.
'sNo, she amt dead-she amt dead
vii, :" rejoined the sad-faced man. 1--WE
couldn't get doctor Yesterday, the town
was in such Il swivet But DR.. Taylor, he
come over las nighj, an is thar now. He
amt foun' lie bullet. lie says Nancy'sin
a cosmo,os-s state.
Now, While this talk was gong on,
some one else was crossing the river from
Hopefied-.a sturdy little woman with
black hair ind eyes. She was seated in
the exact ca4ltre of knife bottomed boat
that cut through the water as fast as
bird flies. With her single oar flashing
into the wager on either side, she made
quick tim$ across the Mississippi; and
now she came flying into Aunt Mely's
cabin, a liele vehement whirl-wind of a
creature, with voice as high and sweet
as bird-rote.
"Oh thaDk goodness! you are all here =
she cried iFokenly. Then she caught
] Tom Jacks hand. "1h, Tom, she is
saved The doctor has found the bullet.
He says she is all right now will need
nothing but good nursing; an that you
know, she'll have. won't leave her
night nor ,tay till she's on her feet" and
little Betty burst into tears, in which,
perhaps, All wanted TO join.
How'd you come here,chile!" said Aunt
Nelly.
ii was 81 anxious about Nancy that
couldn't think OF anything else till the
| doctor had spoke. Then my mind mis-
| trusted me about Tom. / asked where he
was an then they told me he had taken
| his bowie-5nife an gone over to the city.
| was afea:ed he had gone on Pills track.
| jumped 81 The canoe and rushed over,
Just binds But the first man met on the
Fiat said Ne d seen some Hopeheld men go
into Aunt Alely's cabin. So came right
here. Thank God for it, thank God Tor
itr
dts good thing for Phil that Nancy
III get welISE' remarked the sad man, slow
ly tearing off strip of tobacco from
ragged rod, the law can't do nothin' to
him now. thoutcn it shets him up a
while for 1ault an battery"
"His account with me ain tsettled yet,
said Tons Jack ominously. "Look to
yourself, Phil Vickers! Blood's got TO
pay for bssod.n
aOh, Tom Tom" cried little Betty,
the tears streaming down her face, for
give us. We didn't mean TO do you any
harm. Phil would ba' died thousand
deaths befo' he'd ha' harmed hair OF
Nancy's head. Tom: no wife nor child
nor sister will ever pray for you and bless
you as / sill if you'll just shake hands
friendly ot.d say, Phil / pardon YOU
Nancy would do it; / know she would.
Oh, what can | say to you' I'll go on
nv knees 10 you, Tom"
She fell on her knees and lifted her
warm. wet, beautiful eyes to Toms face.
"Get up thild," he said hoarsely. "I1l
let him 60. an when Nancy's on her legs
agin III shake hands.
He turned abruptly and left the room.
Pills Gead fell on his breast; You'd
better had let him kill me, little Betty,
I amt fiji TO be the husband OF such as
you"
But little Betty drew the tired head
to her tender heart and looked dciantly
round upca the others, as if throwing all
the splender of her faithful love between
Phil and any look Of contempt or blame.
Lippintdt's MagoSiae.