Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-01-06


Sec here, old man. How do you
know all this"
For moment everybody was aghast.
Whether they were astonished at the
suddenness of the interruption, or at the
halt savage tone of the spea ker, or
whether it occurred 10 them that the
Judge might possibly have so far over
stepped the bounds OF prudence rs TO
have attempted pumping the inter-
esting stranger, may never be known
But IL is certain they were astonished
into silence. Even Judge Gashwilder
was observed to lose his usual presence
OF mind. For an instant his 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 r triHe shaken at that instant,
it was quickly restored when, after n
moments hesitation, the old gentleman
explained his peculiar position.
You see, gentlemen" he said, grad
ually resuming the attitude from which
he had been surprised by the abrupt
speech above quoted, 81 was prowlin'
round her cabin last night, when all OF
a sudding heered voices inside. The
door was open Il leetle bit, and by
standin' where was / couldn't miss a
syllerbul. will here explain" he con-
tinued, thrusting his red bandana hand
kercbief into his breast, as was his wont
when speaking publicly, "that l was
there for the purpose Of findin' out, ii
possible, whether the gal was in need of
anything that l could help her to-"
(which accounts" observed by
stander, for that chicken which was
hung up alongside the door when came
by this mornin'."
II heerd her talkin' with the kid
continued Judge Gushwilder, not notic-
ing the interruption, land couldn't
help lissennen. AS near as could make
out, the talk was ike this:
"When shall we see papaH
"' Heaven knows, my baby. We
have s,ught him long, and when God is
ready He will restore him to US
"' Is Crismas comm soon. mammal
az Yes, baby, darling. But there
won't be no present 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 nervous 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 Agonized 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, confessed
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 lit Q one
to find the lost husband. who had been
last heard OF In Mud Flat.
All this the Judge told to the few
riends 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 Christ
mas OF their own-shall they 70 with
! out 1t or notP Remember. gentlemant
! that kid IL the 6rst one as ever came into
D this place, and p'raps she's our luck.
! L<t US nurtur her. my friends. and le
Us show her other thet we amt 30 lost
| to viTtoo an principle as not to appre-
! ciate IL when We hev n good woman and
! an innercent kid among rs. Let US give
. en- Christmas. ] will now perceed 10
bead the subscription.
So saying. the gallant old man emptied
the contents of his breeches pocket
T upon the table. Others followed suit,
D and when the last m an had placed his
3 contribution there, the pile contained n
, | goodly SUN.
Now, gentlemen, some one of Us has
, got to take that money. ride to Denver.
and spend ii for 'em. Who shall 1t beP''
3 LET me be your agent, responded n
deep bass voice.
!. Turning shey saw a tall stranger.
e standing near ny, who had just entered
IN time to hear the judges call for con
4 tributions. One or two In the room
. recognized him as miner who had
d come In from the dIggings that after
! noon, having found IL too cold TO work
i longer in the mountains.
They were inclined to resent the inter-