Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-10-09

one "ty uoWn tnere IN an oiu log
house where nobody lives. We was 90
ing to Kiwann camp, cause we heard p,
was there, but Freddie took sick, ant
mas afraid he'll die; so if yell pleas
give me some wittles Ill go back, 'csus,
she's alone"
What'll we do, boys p asked Bagly
We can't leave the critters there som,
Of US must 60 with the chick and brinl
them here"
Reed can be spared" suggested on.
Of the men.
Bah!' interrupted Ben Skinner, q
surly, ill-naiured fellow" Reed, with
his white face, that grows whittier every
day. If the woman saw him she would
think death mad come for the youngster
sure"
The men glanced toward 81, who wa,
leaning against tree, apparently obliv'
ious Of what was going on around him
and evidently did not hear the unfeeling
remark.
"Look here, boys. remarked Flynn,
gravely, "our larder is about empty, and
We must replenish it. Let's draw lots te
decide who will ride into town for prov.
ender. We are out Of funds. but this. u
taking a valuable watch from his pocket
"csn be left as security"
And this can keep it company" said
Bag'ey. producing handsome pistol.
Skinner drew the slip Of paper upon
which the wordl"go' Was written.
1.-The little gal can sit before ye, and
ye can stop at the cabin and give this,
the last of our hard tack, to the woman
said Bagley.
Fleetwood, their only horse. was qick.
ly saddled, and Skinner started ON hi,
errand.
Tell yer ma to fight her luck few
hours longer, and when supplies come
we'll give ye rousing supper" shouted
Bagley, as they rode away.
When some distance from the hut,
Skinner put the girl down, gave her the
biscuit and resumed his journey.
In the evening. Flynn and Bagley
went over to the hut, intending to bring
the woman and her children up to the
camp.
Skinner will get back at about eigh,
o'clock. guess the sick boy only wants
a little feeding up to make him al right"
remarked Flynn as they approached the
hut.
They found the woman seated 1.-THE
rough floor with the boy on her lap, and
Maggie, their late visitor. at her side
sound asleep. With fearless sobs she re-
lated her sad story. About FIVE years
before, or when Freddie was only few
weeks old, her husband left her to join q
party of prospectors who were going to
the Sierra Nevada region, and she had
never heard from or seen him since. She
waited until her funds were nearly ex-
hausted; then made her way to Sacfa-
mento. While supporting her children
as best she could, she learned that the
party had broken camp; her husband
had been brought to Sacramento and
placed in hospital, where he remained
3 long time seriously i'll with brain fever.
She traced him to the hospital. only to
find that be had gone away again; NO
one could tell whittier. Recently, abe
learned that man answering his des-
oription, and bearing the same name.
was working in the Kiwanns mines, and
she was on her way there. He had al
ways been fond husband and father,
and she believed that be had searched
for her also. hut they had missed each
other.
The two men were deeply moved =,
they listened to the story of her suffer-
lngs, and, after much persuasion, induced
her to return to camp With them; prom
ising that one of the miners would 60 on
the following day to Kiwanna. about
ten miles distant, and make inquiries
the person she supposed was
her husband. Without further ceremony
Flynn wrapped the boy in the blanket
be had brought for the purpose, and
Bsgley trudged along with Maggie in bis
arms. ~. re
When the party reached camp, it was
past the time set for skinner's return,
but be had not arrived. A bed Of brush.
wood, covered with Q blanket, was ar.
ranged for the guests, and after they
had lain down, the men lighted their
pipes and gathered around the fire,
conversing in low whispers, and listen
ing eagerly for the sound of the horse's 9
footsteps.
He oughter bin here long afore this, /"
said Bagley, rousing himself from brown
study. Boys, he's scooted."
The suggestion fell like bombshell :