Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-11-23
Nellie shivered in anticipation Of

story will be more laughable than.
thrilling, l fancy. And 10 I begin.
There were eight Of us who had
our home in that Western hut, made of
cottonwood logs. But, children, /
thought i saw pair of black eyes,
with good deal Of white about them,
peering into the door just now. Per-
haps there is somebody there who
wants to hear the story"
"It's nobody but Alf," laughed
Rob; "but I say, Uncle Phil, why
can't Alf come in and listen to the
story? He hasn't anything to do just
now."
"That's thoughtful OF you, Rob,
and just what | wanted. Call him in,
please"
And SO, a moment later, Alf's eyes
grew rounder and whittier than ever
as he listened to the Thanksgiving
story.
Those were troubled times with
Western folks. The Indians were not
very near us; indeed, father never had
a fear in regard to the Indians attack
ing us. No one whom we knew of,
living within twenty miles of us, had
been troubled by the Indians. One
day in October we children had been
out all the afternoon, having a happy
time. We gathered yards and yards
of creamy-white clematis and beauti-
full wild columbine; even Bathsheba
tucked up her skirts and waded like a
born water-bird to get the columbines
from the bank opposite"
A ripping laugh from Nellie, and
Uncle Phil stopped storytelling to
ask: "What is it. Nellie"
"Saeh funny name, Uncle Phil
Who was Bathsheba?'
Bathsheba was our only sister. A
pretty girl, too. | do assure you, not
withstanding her outlandish name.
She had blue eyes and golden hair, and
we boys almost worshiped her, be-
cause she was so beautiful and good.
She didn't dress much like you, Mel
lie; but she looked pretty enough, in
her plain blue flannel dress, which
came down half way between knees
and ankles, leaving her white feet bare
I told you there were eight of us.
There was father, mother, Aunt
Huldah and the hired man, Nick
Vose, Bathsheba, Ephraim. Jere-
miah and myself. Well, that October
day, after we had gathered all the
clematis and columbines we wanted,
we carried them home to mother,
tackled the pretty vines all around the
cottonwood logs and filed big jar
with the columbines. Then we were
off again-Jeremiah and / shooting
wild game and Eph going with Bath
sheba to gather some beautiful ferns,
which grew in the belt of woods a
quarter of mile from the hut, eur
home. The short day was drawing to
a close and Eph and Bathsheba had
not yet joined us.
"'Come onp I said to Jerry. Lets
go home. I'm as hungry as hunter
"'And you are a hunter laughed
Jerry gleefully, as he pointed to the
string of wild ducks which were sus-
pended from my shoulders
"But, PHIL he added, / think we
better wait for the others. Mother
might be anxious if we should get
home without Them
"tWhat would make her anxious ?
I asked, scornfully.
"tIndiansY Jerry bawled in my ear.
"tIndiansp l answered. You know
better. There amt redslxin within
fifty miles of u.s. But even as / spoke
Eph came toward us with Bathsheba
in his arms. His face was whit e
with fright. and hers white with
what? Was it death? We did not
know. Jerry threw down his gun
and his prairie chickens. and I my
ducks, as we ran to meet them.
"'What's the trouble, Ephg we
both asked at once.
So Bathsheba's tainted. Can't you
see? he answered, in troubled voice.
Run for some water. Quick r And
he laid her down on the dead maple
leaves which covered the green sward,
still holding his arm tenderly under
her head. Jerry ran for water, while
/ rubbed my sisters hands and asked,
anxiously: What made her faint,
Eph?'
"' Hush + he said sterniy. I can't
tell you now. Wait until we get
Bathsheba safe back with mother.
Then I'll have something that is some
thing to tell YOU
"Eph's tragic tone reused all my
curiosity; but knew him too well to
question any further. Jerry came
with the water from the brook, and
he and ! bathed her face vigorously.
She awoke with gasp, and looked
into Eph's face with startled, ques
tioning look.
"sDon't worry, Bathsheba, Eph
said, soothingly. We're most home,
and we're safe, too
@safe, too. What could he mean !?
Jerry asked him, but received no an
swer. except a warning look. Well.