The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-08-25
ALBION'S FALL.


ALBION's FALL.
; In the country town of Countycorn it
used to be custom for the lads and
lassies to enjoy a horseback ride to
Powder Hill one May morning. Moth.
ing ever prevented general assembling
of the young people but q downright
storm, when the excursion was post
poned till the first fair day.
Looking toward the hill, which CON-
manded fine view of the surrounding
country, two old farmers were watching
company of riders returning from one
of the annual expeditions. They were
doing the home stretch in splendid style,
the foremost leaders speeding ahead side
by side, and without break for some
distance.
''That colt of Stickney's is fine 'un-
thin in the neck and thick in the flank,
and those long hind legs give him q pow
erful stride. See him git over the road,
will yer? Jinny's old roam is hard
pushed to keep up, but she'll make him
if she can. She amt goin' to be beat if
she kin help it..
It was q cold, raw morning, and the
old farmer drew his coat sleeve slowly
along under his nose as he looked admir-
ingly down the road. His companion
| shrugged his shoulders before answering
advisedly.
.'It's mighty risky riding, Runnels,
that's what It's. The colt amt half
broke, no more than the one that's riding
it. But Stickney can't help it, sup
pose; young folks will be risky"
| And now the cavalcade rode gaily up
| and drew rein by the speakers.
"Well, Mr.. Runnels, what think you
| of our mount this year" called out one
of the party.
.Fust.rate, fust-rate, and no mistake;
good turnout. that's fact. Albion
here looks as if leap over Raddy's
Gulch wouldn't be nothin' to him or his
nag" said the man addressed as Run
nels.
"Come on, boys, let's go home that
way and try it" cried out the leader,
half turning in his saddle and starting
forward. The others followed laughing.
"What on airth dye want to put that
in his head for, Runnels? Hes wild
enough to try it,
II guess not. He knew I were only
| iokin'. But, thunder and Mars! They
are turnin' into Raddy's field-but they
won't try it! No->no-they won't be so
foolhardy! Albion's only goin' to scare
en-"
Still, the man looked after the retreat
ing forms little anxiously, while the
other declared 'the young uns blood
was up-he'd dare anything"
| Probably not one of the merry group
antici oated aught but sport as they rap
idly neared the ravine just outside the
village known as Raddy's Gulch, when
suddenly the Stickney colt and rider
essayed the leap across, and wonld have
been successful but that the opposite
bank, which had been frozen, proved an
insecure footing, and gave way before
the colt could scramble up the sides.
None too quickly did the reckless young
man loosen his feet from the stirrups.
In the fierce struggles of the colt to re-
gain firm footing, he was borne to the
ground. The gulch was not very deep
or very dangerous, and the colt. sliding
and slipping half way down, soon OBJ
tanned foothold, apparently unhurt
but his rider was picked up and carried
home in an unconscious condition; nc
one knew how badly he was hurt. And
thus the day which had begun : sc
brightly closed for some with gloomy
| fOfeOoulngs.
For months Albion was closely con
fined to the house and carefully nurseC
by his devoted mother. There were
those who said he never would wall
again.
A bed had been arranged for him il
the sitting room, to be handy to tht
kitchen and make the work easier 20,
those who had to wait on him. He ap
peared to have very little interest il
every day affairs, but once he spoke tx
his mother as she sat by the windoy
sewing, and asked her if Jennie Bur
had ever been in to see him.
when you were first.taken," was th'
answer. 'She's coming down the road
, been up to neighbor Abbotts with SOM
eggs. guess" she added.
Gall her in, mother; call her in.
want to see her, he said.
, Mrs. Stickney looked at her son eau
: tiously, put down her work and went Il
/. the door.
= The girl. upon being spoken to, cam
| mp the walk slowly, and her plump, ros
8 face did not tighten when told that Al
: bion wanted to see her"
"You go right in, and I'll look afte
! my kitchen fire first and then folio,
: you."
I Mss. Stickney hustled away, an
went slowly into the sitting room, " her
t after exchanging the usual greetings, sh
: sat down near the door.
i ST reckon ye don't sniss me much,
/ said the sick man. 81 heard You wer
! out riding with Ed Barton.''
D "Oh. yes. we dove all do" Jim
! said, hurridly.
: IT suppose he thinks it's too bad TO
a yer to be tied to fellow like me, an
3 it's more than likely that you think 8
: yourself" Albion continued, bitterly.
= The girl wound the fringe of her shaw
3 in and out between her fingers, and di
g not look up!
: "Well, he has limited, and perhcp
o you don't mind, she said. vaguely.
q ST do mind it, jimmy Burr; but
q you've let him hint, that's all I want
know. You may have him If you war