The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-04-14
Phi y n + + X LIFE
IN THE
ORTH-WE EST.
BIZ JIMMIE JONES.

he would have done ut another time, hut
nevertheless the deprecating manner in
which he received it dampened the ardor
of Willie little.
81 do not think much Of your plans"
said he, "and do not believe we will ev-
Or see home or mother again"
twas blessed thing, rs they afterward
knew, that their courage had not been de-
stroyed by taking in the full horror Of
death by starvation, and fatigue in the
woods, or the more blessed, because more
speedy, but still terrible thought Of being
killed by wild beasts.
The little weary feet were soon on their
way, and their little faces turned toward
the rising sun. Until now, one of the boys
had worn pair of moccasins, and the
other a pair Of shoes, but thinking that
they could travel faster without them,
they were removed, and although the
ground was hard and frozen, and the little
feet were often torn by briers and sticks,
they FASTENED on never minding the pain.
Hope rose higher, as they thought at
times they could recognize places they
had passd the previous day.
1t must have been noon when they
again came to a large stream, and-won-
derful to tell-there was the very same
tree on which they had crossed the day
before. They knew it by many unmis-
taxable marks, and if any proof were
wanting, there were the print Of their
own feet, and also those of the dogs on
the wet sand at the further shore. They
re-crossed this stream with more hopeful
hearts than they had carried with them
to the opposite shore.
An hour or two of rapid walking, and
they came to road-the same they had
crossed on their first day out, but much
farther from home. A short consultation
was held, and they decided not to cross
this road but to follow it-but in which
direction2 The sun was so nearly over
head that they scarcely knew how to fol-
low its guidance. They however, conclud-
ed to take an easterly course. They had
not travelled more than a couple of miles
before they had made up their minds that
they were wrong, SO back over the same
road battered the little bare feet. This
time they kept steadily on their course,
until at last the low roof of building met
their view. This, be it remembered was
the first sight of human habitation that
had met their view for three days. An
older person would have went directly to
it and have sought food and rest. Not sa
did our young wanderers Willie had
once been at McGregor's Landing, IA town
on the Mississippi, which still bears the
same nancy and although McGregoi's
was furnishing young town, and this
was only solitary cabin. he w,l, convinc-
ed In MS own MIMI mat NJ was ~ tie
former place. 1t seemed to hin after
ward, to have l".,.n a. stro1Pe idea, but we
have scen that neither If the boys were
capable Of reasoning.
"That." said he to his - Their, .'is Nc
Gregoi's Landing. know i, b...use I
have been there. The sun must now be
about two hours high, and we are FIVE
miles from home. If we hurry, we can
get there before dark"
Johnnie offered no objection, 80 back over
the same road, for the third time that day
did they hurry.
Dusk was gathering around their path,
and they were still hurrying on, Willie
considerably in advance, and at times,
waiting impatiently for his brother to come
up. when they were met by some travel
''ers. There were two men driving oxen,
and with wagon loaded with lumber
There were some traps for game, and
few other articles on the load-how well
did the boys remember every detail in af-
ter years.
It must have been a strange sight to
these men-that Of two tattered, weary,
and wild looking boys on this lonely road,
where seldom human face was met.
They were hurrying on without speak
ing, but the men stopped their teams and
enquired:-
"Where are you going, boysr
1--WE are going home,' called out Willie,
without stopping or looking around
= "But are you not lost2" inquired one
of the men.
mo. We have been lost, but we are
going home, now"
"where do you liver persisted the
man.
"On the Goss place, and it's just ahead"
said Willie.
s'Then you are lost, for that is seventeen
miles away, and this road does not lead
past there either"
Reluctant as was Willie to STOP Johnnie
had halted and he was now obliged to
wait for him to come up.
'When did you leave homer was the
next question.
sThree days ago; but If you will not
hinder us, we will go on, and will soon be
there"
"But have told you that this road
does not lead past your home. If you will
go with us, we will care fo- you tonight,
and will take you home in the morning"
To this proposition they offered stout
resistance. saying that their parents would
BIS uneasy about them, and that it was
necessary for them to reach home that
night.
sThat road" said one of the men, "leads
to Dunbar's Landing" This was the truth.
Then in order TO brighten the boys from