Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-04-04

esting stranger, may never De KNOWN.
But il is certain that they were as
founded into silence. Even Judge
Gashwilder was observed to lose his
usual presence Of mind. For an in
slant bis naturally serene countenance
wore an expression which in another
would have been mistaken for guilt. If
the confidence which the others had
always placed in him was trif1e shaken
at that instant, it was quickly restored
when, after moment Of hesitation, the
old gentleman explained his peculiar
position.
"You see, gentlem, n" he said, grad
ually resuming the attitude from which
he had been surprised by the abrupt
speech above noted, Il was prowlin'
round her cabling last night, when all
of sudding heerd voices inside. The
door was open leetle bit, and by
standin' where I was, I couldn't miss
syllerbul. I will here explain" he
continued, thrusting his red bandana
handkerchief into his breast, as was his
wont when speaking publicly, e" that !
was there for the purpose of findin' out,
if possible, whether the gal was in need
of anythin' I could help her to-"
(Which accounts" observed by
stander, "for that choking witch was
hung up alongside the door when I
came by, this mornin'."
"I heerd her talkin' with the kid, 4
continued Judge Gashwilder, not MOTTO
ing the interruption, "and I couldn't
help lissennen. As near as I could
make out, the talk was like this:
"'When shall we see papa?'
"'Heaven knows, my baby. We have
sought him long, and when God is
ready, He will restore him to u.s.
lis Christmas comm soon, mammal
"'Yes, baby darling. But there
won't be no presents for my little one
this time. We are away from home,
and poor. But when we find papa, we
will go where there are lots Of pretty
things. and then baby shall have
plenty"
Here the Judge leaned. forward, and
whispered in mysterious voice, telling
his companions that he had heard the
mother repeat to her child the sad story
of how her father had gone West four
years ago to seek his fortune; how for
two years, his letters containing money
for her support, had come like rays of
sunshine through the clouds how they
had suddenly stopped, and no answers
were received to her agonizing appeals
how for two more years she had sup
posed him dead how, at last, the post. |
master in the little village where she
lived had, upon his dying bed, con-
fessed to having stolen the letters from
her husband so as to get the money
they contained, and suppressed her
missives to him, for fear of discovery
and how she had started out with her
little one to find the lost husband, who
had been last heard from in Mud Flat.
All this the Judge told to the few
friends he could trust, speaking in
a whisper. lest the precious secret
should be passed to others in the room.
And now" he added, resuming his
rhetorical attitude and voice, "I axes
you, as gentlemen and representatives of
Mud Flat chivalry, shall this gal and
her kid, being too poor to have o Chris
mas of their own-shall they 60 with
outfit, or not? Remember, gentlemen,
that kid is the fust one as ever came
into this place, and p'raps she's our
lack. Let US nurter her, my friends.
and let MS show her mother tibet we
amt so lost to virtoo an principle as
not to appreciate it when we hev q good
woman and an inherent kid amongst
us. Let us give 'em Christmas. / will
now proceed to head the subscription"
So saying, the gallant old man moved
the punch bowl to one side, and emptied
the contents Of his breaches pocket
upon the table. Others followed suit.
and when the last man had placed his
contribution there the pile contained
goodly sum.
Now gentlemen, some one Of us has
got to take that money. ride to Denver,
and spend it for 'em. Who shall it be 2"
Let me be your agent" responded
o deep, bass voice.
Turning, they saw tall stranger,
standing near by, who had just entered
in time to hear the judges call for con-
tributions. One or two in the room rec
ognized him as miner who had come in
from the diggings that afternoon, having
found it too cold to work longer in the
mountains.
They were inclined to resent the in
reference of an outsider, and probably
would not have needed his request had
he not spoken second time. Drawing
near the table, he said
Gentlemen, was once married
man myself, but my wife, God bless
her, is dead. For the love I bear her
memory, for the affection I have toward
the remembrance of my little one
buried with her. I ask you to let me
aid in this matter"
The sadness in his voice and face was
so sincere. and the utility Of sending
man who had been thar, and knowed
what wimmin folks would like" pre-
scented itself SO favorably to the miners,
that with but little hesitation they al.
lowed him to do as he wished.
In an hour he was gone, and the set
Element was lost in speculations as to
what he would bring back for the
strange lady and her child.
The morning Of December twenty
fifth dawned crisp and cold. The fresh.
biting air of the mountains raced
among the trees right merrily, whisk-
ing the snow into 1iftJo xvraothc 81