The National tribune., 1883-06-21
J0BNNYS PlCk-A AXE,
And How it Served to Replenish an
Empty Pantry.
BY Ethel ARen.l

morning to see if their scalps were still on
Johnny's mother was a real Yankee from
Maine, and Was a strong, smart, capable wo-
man, who wasn't afraid of anything, not even
Indians. She had hard time the first three
months after her husbands death, feeding and
clothing them all.
Sometimes she took few miners to board
and one year she even did washing for the sum
OF two dollars and a quarter a dozen.
Johnny was ten years old when they moved
to Penn City. The Indians had grown pretty
quarrelsome, and even Mrs. Grey, Johnny's
mother, felt q little uneasy and concluded they
had better go East while their heads were still
safe on their shoulders.
Now, by East, she didn't mean New York
State, Massachusetts or Maine. She said
Colorado was far enough east for her. so they
settled down in q shanty two miles from Penn
City.
There were ten stores in Penn City. To
wards evening the streets were thropged with
miners, and at o'clock every night the great
stage came rolling into the town.
One winter they had barely enough to eat
Provisions were high, and Johnny's mother
was sick and missed many q weeks washing.
Jennie, the eldest daughter, who was waiter
girl at the hotel in Penn City, was down
whole month with the mountain fever, and SO
couldn't add her share TO the family fund. The
rest, except Johnny, were too young to earn
anything.
johnny picked up many a stray nickel by
holding horses and running errands, and some
times miner who had Just ''struck it rch''
would toss him quarter. But it took so
many quarters to feed them ali.
The stage, packed to overiiowing with passen-
gers, rolled past as usual one evening at just 6
o'clock. There had been great strike near
Penn City, and the news had brought throngs
of men eager TO try their luck, too.
Johnny was fiattening his nose against the
window, watching the stage out of sight, when
there came knock at the door.
Mother, it's strange mani" exclaimed
Johnny.
Mrs. Grey quickly lifted the latch. She did
everything quickly, and if it had been mid
night she wouldn't have felt one bit afraid.
man with long gray beard stood just
outside the door. His eyes were dark and
sunken, his skin sallow; he looked as though
just out of bed with the fever. His ragged
trousers were tucked into pair of worn,
muddy boots, and his WOODEN shirt was faded
and soiled. In one hand he carried pick.
What do you want?" asked Johnny's
mother little sharply.
Something to eat" he answered, meekly.
Why don't you go ON TO the hotel, them"
" I've clean give out" he said, family "Pm
dead broke, too 1 haven't red cent. I've
been upon the mountain, digging. 1 got all
out of grub. I've had only crust of bread
| could. I'm pretty weak yet I've had
hard spell of the fever. l saw you all through
the window as | was a-going by. The mush
looked SO good, / thought maybe you wouldn't
mind giving me some. I'll pay you when I
can. I've had no luck lately.
Come in" said Johnny's mother, shortly
There were five in Mrs Grey's family-her-
self and Jennie, Johnny, VIII and the baby.
Five bowls of steaming corn-meal mush and
small pitcher of milk stood on the pine table.
The kettle the mush was cooked in had been
scraped clean and filed with water to soak No
more corn-meal il the pantry the last wash
ing was still unpaid for, and Johnny had not
earned a cent the whole day
Mrs. Grey took up one of the bowls of hot
mush, and then paused and looked around at
the children.
The man had sunk into chair before the
stove, and closed his eyes YEARLY.
Mother" whispered johnny, "giye him
mine. / amt much hungry"
Much obliged, ma'am," said the man as
Mrs. Grey silently handed him the hot mush.
" 1t looks so good,' he went on. MY mother
used to make me mush when was a boy bout
the size of you,' pointing to Johnny. Hope
l amt robbing yon, ma'am?" little anxiously
You're welcomed" answered Johnny's
mother, crisply.
How it warns mel he continued at
feel all in glow. Isn't this room rather close
ma'am? l feel burning up. Maybe it's the
fever coming on again. feel it more at nights
I've had hard tramp too, down the noun
tain. I'm afraid | can't eat any more ma am
nice as It's, setting down the bowl. "Ill try
to get ON to Penn City now. I'm much obliged,
ma'am-much-"
He sank back in his chair, and his face grew
deadly pale.
Hes fainting!" cried Mrs Grey. Johnny,
get me some wateri"
w ba l.:
Is that you, Martha?" he asked, looking
up at Mrs. Grey. "You've been gone long
while. l thought you never would come
never would come"
He's out of his head" said Johnny's mother
What shall we do with him?" One of you
children must go for help. Johnny, you won't
be afraid, will you? Run and get Pat Murphy
as quick as you can!"
1t was good half-mile to Pats shanty. and
Johnny was all out of breath when he knocked
at the door. Pat opened it himself
Bless me sowl if it isn't Johnny" he ex-
claimed. Now, whatH ye be after havin'
this time o'night?"
There's a man sick at our house." gasped
Johnny. Mother wants you to come over,
quick!"
"Bless me sowl!" said Pat again. "Sure
an I'll come. Would she loike the old woman,
too?"
''Pll go Immediate" put in Mrs Murphy.
Sure an ye must put the frock on, remon-
strated Pat.
He referred to the green silk dress he had
bought her few months before.
Pat was miner, and one day made strike |
He sold his claim for FIVE thousand dollars,
and Immediately purchased " the frock," as he |
called the green silk, and hat with red roses |
and long yellow feather. He never allowed |
his wife to stir out of the house without wear |
ing his gifts.
Pats q rich mon now" he would say, Fam |
it's me intention to make a foine lady of ye"
$50 on now an put on the foek," he said |
again to his wife, can be after stirrin' YER |
self"
"Niver mind tonight, Pat" urged Mrs. |
Murphy "Sure I'll go as l am"
He's pretty sick" put in Johnny. "He |
doesn't know what he's saying"
"Come ON, thin," said Pat; "ye'l DO as we |
are, Mrs Murphy"
The stranger was still muttering to himself |
when they reached Mrs. Grey's shanty. He al |
ways called Mrs. Grey Martha, and was only |
quiet when she sat beside him.
For days he remained in this state, Pat MUIR |
ply, his wife and Mrs. Grey by turns taking /
care of him. AT last the fever wore off, and he |
came to himself.
I've been great care to you, ma'am,n he |
said, suddenly opening his eyes. 1t would /
have been better for you if you'd shut the door
in my face that night"
One morning there was nothing left in the |
house to eat They had had some bread and |
a few baked beans for breakfast, and Mrs. Grey
made the sick man some toast.
F." wish we had stavad West - said Ynbn