The Red Cloud chief., 1882-02-23
A FATHER LOST.

u was moist ana cloudy over all
the region about Mud Creek. Paris and
Kelsey Lane came sauntcring To the
woods cabin from school.
Betsy was an inch or two taller than
Paris, though he was ten wears old and
she only nine. He looked like "A DELHI
crate and thoughtful small old man in
huti"rmut-colorcd tr.wScrs reaching
nearly To his arm-pitS. and correspond
in" coat and vest which hung unbut-
toned exposing his hickory shirt. His
red feet had found themselves sandals
of mud in crossing Mud Creek Flat, and
h" felt with pleasure, which half-shiv-
cred. IN" soft stuff still sponging UP Dc-
tween his toes.
Paris er1cd the dinncr-baSkct. so
BcI~ry had nothing 10 hamper her, and
stepped ont as freely as her straight
dress. which struck her heels at every.
step. would let her. Both of them ear
RED SprI@S of Young saS~afraS. and
marked their way with nibblrd leaves
and peeled sticks. Bct~ry'S dress was
made lust like her mothers. and hooksii
in from below It's hem appcarcdthe toes
=. uf her cow hide shoes; above the corded
top, her round. aguc-timtcd face and
ilINcn hair.
Before they could see home through
the timber. the cows voices came down
The road. and their dog barkcd rs if he
scented them afar of, and felt grateful
to them for this one daily occasion for
making the lonesome Illinois woods
rin@. First they saw the stable; il was
a rail pen covered with corn-SialkS,
and the door hung open ON wooden
hinges.
Pap amt home vet said Paris.
shifting the dinncr-baSkct Ia his other
arm 81 don't see the horses or way
on
But there's Safe" said BrtScy; for
Safe. Ike a loyal yellow doc. rushed Ia
meet them a. If making the effort of his
life. And there was the hou>r crowded
hN trees. with the whole woods for
a dooryari: and on the loo step WIS
mother. little Elihu and Hiram just be-
hind her.
Paris and BctScy Smrlt supper rs they
approached. Well did they know that
a corn ponc was browning in the Dutch
oven upon the hearth. Goals beneath
and above il; that the Sa>SafraS orSpIcc-
wood tea was sleeping. To be tinctured
Win lfN HIN anu ililN' NA-'i- "hNA
hccumr the most delightful draught
an,hoiy ever drank; they Snmtled the
perfume of fried wild onions, which
grew rank and early along the creek,
and 4 hint of chicken gravy almost
strong enough To- make them suspect
there WAS company
However. no ncighhor appeared with
in when BctSey passed her mother and
entered.
Your pap amt come home vet
said Mrs. Lane. looking up the woods
road uneaSily. lie ought Ia be here
with his last load o wood. It'll O o be
dark"
Mud Greek is highcr'n | ever SAW
H." remarked Paris. vcncrahlv. Its
most up To the bridge. If it keeps on
r,inin' we can't get across the fiat to
school"
The isn't going TO he n higher
waters said Bct>ey from the gourd
dipper. Yet dripping from liz visit into
mothers jar of spring beer.
The mortal who never tasted it can
have no conception of this drink-all
the roots and barkS and spicy odorS it
suggested; lis yca>ty liThtncSS and keen
tang: its honey sweetness and whole
some bitterness: and the beneficial eff
feet the drinker Immediately felt on his
blood!
We can't ca to the exhibition if
Milford bridge Is washed away" on
tinucd Bct>cy, hanging up the gourd by
lis string.
Il know IT," said Paris, pcnSivclv:
land I've got my piece 10y heart so I'm
almost sick of it"
Mother" said Betsev. they're all
going To wear white dresses. and the
hoys'H wear white pants. The master
plavs on his flute. and We got songs
learnt to sing all together.
Don't bother me with YOUR cxlibi-
tionS now" said Mrs. Lane, drawing
her eyebrows down As She strained her
sight up the woods road.
Betsev felt constrained At least TO give
a sample of the music. So she sung in a
high voice:
When shall we meet again,
Meet nc'sr Ia sever:
When shall Peace wreathc her chain
Round us forever
Upon which Mrs. Lane turned around
and exclaimed:
You and Paris run along \ little
WAYS and see if you can see anything of
him
I'm CO." said Elihu.
-. 90. said Hiram.
ElihU wore an apron over his trouS-
ers. and Hiram WAS 4 ~fuZzy-headed
youth vet in the thraldom of a yellow
hannel petticoat and calico gown, with
a drawing-String. Their feet were bare
on the puncheon floor.
You needn't any of YOU come
said Paris. setting his dinner-basket in.
side the door. I'm going to ride
back on the load"
Mrs. Lane turned TO silence the
= .lamor which Elihu and the baby SET
%; and Betsey ran after her captain
6thout his leave.
They had trudged so many miles to-
, gether toS.pd from school; and knew
= right well IN necessity of each others
. conpanionshh Paris was not afraid
ears in the woods, but it afforded
satisfaction TO say SO to Betsey, and
his piece as hey wen,
mSen a little suie