The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-06-13

winds, Ike nerEl0s, were scurrylng IN a.
vance with breathless haste to announce thu
news.
Those eyes
The greyest Of things blue,
The bluest OF things grey"
belonged to slender young woman from
Massachusetts,. She was q school-na'am, and
Was making q venture in this new land for
the sake of q weak and visionary BROTHER
who had strayed off into Cshfornis with
some vague idea of finding royal road to
fortune through the gold fields.
All the morning she had been watching
the ranges of grand old peaks as they swung
out Of the golden mist into the sunshine.
mightier monarehl How the snow-shields
glittered in the sun, till it seemed to her TO
mantle. fancy as if the golden wealth within
were breaking into vievl
The Overland stage had swung on for
hours amid these bsttlemented hills, with
their plumy pines and purple distances and
flashing mountain streams.
"Bob, do you seer" she whispered. "It's
wild place for Storm
The burly Californian in the corner-s
wild-looking rufisn, for sll he wore re-
volver in his belt-took survey. "Storm
it isl" he growled, sand rouserl But don't
be afeerd. Them HOSES knows wot o'clock
it is in ginersl'
The next moment the sky darkened sud
denly, as if pail had been let down before
the sun; then q zigzsg streak of tightening
tore through the blackness, and rain bsgsn
to fall-no gentle summer rain, but torrents,
as if poured from a water-spout.
In vain they held down the curtains over
the windows. An angry hand seemed TO
tear ct them frantieally, and the storm sp-
peared to find an inssne delight in buffeting
them. 1t seemed as if it would lift the very
roof Of tho stage. They could hear the
driver reasoning with his horses in very enn-
pbstlc language.
"Come up, you old mokeI Now, old ram
shseklel amt their light enough2 Keep in
the rosd if you don't want to break yer
thunderin' necksi" and SO on with more
highly Favored epithets.
A stout old lady, with cranberry COM
plexiOn and three chins, bestired herself at
this iuncture. She had 8 bsndbox on her
lap, and water had trickled through the
leaky -oof upon it.
al amt had new bunnit in five year."
she mosned. 1.-THE company oughter be
prosecuted. If Brown was Twin, he'd make
'em pipeI Brown was rustler, he was
Peaceable bless your hearth he went in for
peace. If no couldn't git it, he licked every
body all round. This ERE ROOFS q disgrsceI
Brown would let daylight into somebody if
he"-
"When 1 owned the Bald Eagle and
Amelis Jane,3heered of that mine, strsn-
gerf'' began the Californian.
Bob Switzer, somewhat lank young man
IN store Clothes" with q handsome face,
soft, womsnish eyes and q wesk, irresolute
mouth, reused himself with q show of inter-
est.
"Why, do you own that2" he asked.
al did own it before gold was discovered
on it."
a'Ohl shl" said Bob.
''Tnem was the daysl 1 could have
bought the Goleonds for 8 pair of new
koots."
''Why didn't your
Hadn't the boots, said the man, with q
sigh. 'That's my luck; I'm alters too soon,
or too late. Tell ye what, this ere problem
Of destiny ID q hard nut TO crack. How some
folks Jest skim the cream of Of existence.
and others git the skim-mllk Hullol
wot's thatH'
The stage had stopped with 8 jerk. The
rain was not falling so fast and the pail hal
lifted little. They hesrd the driver call
out, "Hellol' The light of the lantern fell
On s strange figure that seemed to have
started out of the ground, or fallen with the
rain. so unexpected was its appearance.
Nelly Switzer looked at this forlorn bsing
with thrill Of pity stirring her heart. 1t
was tall, bony, gawky youth of seventeen,
who appeared to sink away from the IN
curing eyes that were fixed upon him. Eo
drowned rat" could have been wetter.
His faded hair chung in damp masses about
hunted look, and at the same time a
mute, pathetic appeal. He seemed unable
to speak.
Stout Mrs. Brown looked cut also, and said !,
with a sort Of gasp, ''For the lands sskel
why, it's TodI'
The poor creature gave her mute glance
Of gratitude. It seemed boon to him thst
any human being should condescend to rec
ognize him.
'Wotever was you s-doin' Of, Tod?" asked
Mrs. Brown, sternly.
81 vos s-walkin',;' faltered the youth.
"Whera tot"
''To the jumpin'-of place, If 1 could find
1t. / was sgoin' to jump off, ne said
IL such tone of dull despair that Nelly
Switzer's kind little heart sched for him.
"Get in here; there is ROOM" she said.
''Well, WE'LL it's Ike taking in q small riv-
ulet. It's gcing to clear; better let him walk, "
said Bob.
"He ANT no account. He's the most Or
2sriest critter," began Mrs. Brown.
But Nelly wss making room, and then
looking into the face eff the boy who was
evidently dszed by her kindness, she reached
out q little gray gloved hand.
FCome Tod" she said, cheerily. "You can
sit by zne."
1t seemed to Tod SIS if tie face of an angel
had suddenly shone ike star out OF the
darkness of tho storm. He took courage
to clsmor in, and sat shivering at Nely's
side, q very moist, unpleasant body indeed.
'sDo you feel better, now2' Neii;a asked,
kindly, after q few moments, during which
the water had been dripping from the for
loTn creatures tatters till the floor was de-
cidedly damp.
"Much obliged, miss" the boy stammered.
81 feel ss if q hundred wheels was a-turnin'
in my brain ike lightnin', and s=seudin'
of sparks; and now and then the top Of nay