The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-03-07


were dim with smoke and grim. 1t
was a disheartening prospect to the
poor girl, and nothing lightened the
dreary scene save that the rough &C.
cupants of the cabin to man were
heartily glad to see woman in their
midst. Their delight was genuine,
and uncouth and bearish though they
were, they tried in many ways to aid
her.
In few days, even thong occu-
pied as sine was with watching and
nursing, the dreary cabin assumed
comfortable appearance. Wherever
water could be used, Mary cleaused
and beautiied. The dingy windows
looked bright again, and the wonder
full hills, full ofverdure, could he seen
in all their glory, through the once
o bscured panes.
Among the miners recently arrived
was a young man of rather more re-
finement and culture than the rest.
Perhaps Mary's presence saved him.
for be was SO impressed with her gen.
tleness and refinement that as soon as
he left his work he repaired at once
to the cabin, to see if he could be of
any service to her.
When the fever was at its height
he was by her side soothing the sick
man, keeping him in his bed during
his fits of delirium, and giving Mary
hopeful assure noes that comforted, if
they did not create hope.
One morning the miners had all
gone to their daily toll. There had
been NO fights since the young girl
had come among them, and perhaps
they drank and smoked less often at
all events. they did these things away
from the cabin.
Mary sat at the side of her fathers
bed. The miner had passed rest
less night, and was sleeping lig htly,
muttering, by fits and starts, in SD
low a tone that Mary could not catch
the words.
Suddenly a slight noise aroused
her from her reverie. She turned
toward the bed. Her fathers eyes
were wide open, and he was looking
at her, quietly and intelligently.
Gather! o I'm so glad !" cried
Mary, in low voice checking the
up-springing tears.
"Where am /? This is the same
place, but how came you here ?" he
asked family.
81 have come to take care of you,
father"
"Ah, yes I've been very sick :" he
tried to lift his wasted hand. But
what made you Gomez"
81 wanted to come so much that
Uncle John brought me-"
Uncle John Is he here ?"
Eyes he has been here several
times to see you, though he works
long ways off,"
"And your mother and the children,
how did you leave them?"
For moment it seemed to Mary as
if her heart stood still. Had he never
received the news? If SO, what should
she say?
"Mary, child, why do you look at
me in that way?" he cried, trembling
from head to foot. 81 see that some
thing dreadful has happened, or you
would not be here"
Father, father" sobbed Mary, fall
ing on her knees by the side
of the bed. 81 thought
YOU knew thought you received
the letter"
"And it told me of your mothers
death was that it? ?"
Mary sobbed, her face hidden in the
pillow. Presently he found strength
to put his band on her bowed head;
his voice was weaker.
"Never mind. darling, l shall see
her soon."
"And leave me alone? 0, father"
MARY, / want you to listen to me
while [ have strength to speak" he
continued, his hand falling to his side.
Before L was taken sick found three
nuggets of gold"
Eyes, father"
''Three large nuggets of gold." he
repeated. looking at her bewilderedly,
"and / put them-I-I hid them
the soul died away, though his lips
still moved. Mary placed her ear to
his mouth. but all she could distin.
guish was the word nuggets.
80 father, speak agaiu!" she cried.
Father, don't leave me; don't leave
me here alone"
Vain the appeal. There was no an
swer. At the days close the rugged
miners stood about the bed, looking
sadly at the corpse, and at the poor
girl who was weeping at his side.
e. Al