Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-06-13

"Please, I'd rather take it to Freddie"
pleaded the child, "'cause he little and
sick. ="
eye amt bigger'D pint of cider yer
Nself, !" laughed Basly. . Eat it, an we'll
/ give ye some for the 9th rs.
The promise satisfied the child, who
quickly devoured the contents OF the
| dish.
!" Been on low ratIons, too, L reckon"
| chuckled one of the men.
"Now tell us ABOUT your mother.
| Where is she, and whose trail is she on ?"
said Flynn.
"She's way down there III an old log
house where nobody ives. We was 60
ing to Klwanna Camp, cause we heard
passwas there, but Freddie's too sick, and
mas afraid he'll die; so if yell please
| give me some whites I'll go back, cause
| she's alone. =
"What'n we do, boys?" asked Bagly.
"We can't leave the critters there; some
of us must go with the chick and bring
| them here"
Greed can be spared" suggested one
of them.
"Bahp interrupted Ben Simmer, a
surly, lll-natured fellow; Creed, with
his white face, that grows winter every
day! If the woman saw him she'd think
death had come for the youngsters
| sure.
The men glanced toward ST, who was
leaning against tree, apparently obl1v-
ious of what was gong On around him,
and evidently did not hear the unfeehng
| remark.
"Look here, boys" remarked Flynn.
| gravely, "our larder is about empty, and
we must replenish it. Let's draw lots to
decide who will ride into town for pro-
vender. We are out of funds, but this, !"
| taking a valuable watch from mis- pocket,
''can be left as security"
"And this can keep it company"
SAID Bagly, producing handsome PTS
| toll
Skinner drew the slip of paper upon
which the word ego" was written.
The little gal can sit before ye, and
We can stop at the cabin and give this,
the last of our hard tack, to the womaus"
said Bagly.
One of the men came forward with a
| flask of whisky. which he asserted, would
'straighten out the little clap" Fleet
wood, their only horse, was quickly sad
died, and Skinner started on his errand.
Tell yer ma to fight her luck few
hours longer, and when supplies come
We'll give We rousIng supper" shouted
Bagly as they rode away.
When some distance from the hut
Skinner put the girl down, gave her the
biscuit and flask, after drinking half its
contents, and resumed his journey.
In the evening Flynn and Bagly went
over to the hut, intending to bring the
woman and her children up to camp.
Skinner will get back about S o'clock.
L guess the sick boy only wants little
feeding up to make him all right. re-
marked Flynn, as they approached the
nut.
They found the woman seated On the
rough floor with the boy on her lap, and
Maggie, their late visitor, at her side
sound asleep. With fearless sobS she
related her sad story. About five years
before, or when Freddie was only few
weeks old, her husband left to Join a
party of prOspectOrs who were gong TO
the Sierra Nevada region, and she had
never heard from or seen him since. she
waited until her funds we're nearly ex-
hausted, and then made her way to Sac
ramento. While supporting her children
as best she could, she learned that the
party had broken camp; her husband had
been brought to Sacramento aud placed
in hospital where he remained a long
time seriously Ill with brain fever. She
traced him to the hospital only to find
that he had gone away again: no one
could tell whittier. Recently she learned
that a man answering his description,
and bearing the same name, was work.
IN 40
on her way there. He had always been
fond husband and father, and she be-
l1eved he had searched for her also, but
they had missed each other.
The two men were deeply moved as
they listened to the story of her suffer
lngs, and, after much persuasion, in
duced her TO return to camp with them,
promising that one Of the miners would
go the following day to Kiwanna, about
ten miles distant, and make inquiries
concerning the person she supposed was
her husband. Without further ceremony
Flynn wrapped the boy in the blanket
he had brought for the purpose. Bagly
trudged along with Maggie in his arms.
When the party reached camp 1t was
past the time set for SINNERS return,
but he had not arrived, A bed of brush
| WOOU COFCIGQ Will DlduH6G was ar
ranged for the guests, and after they
had lain down the men lighted their
pipes and gathered around the fire, con
yersing i'll low whispers, and listening
eagerly for the sound of the horses foot.
steps. ~
He oughter bin here long afore this,
said Bagly, r0using himself from brown
study. Boys, he's. scooted."
The suggestion fell like bombshell:
no one spoke for moment, then Bagly
resumed.
He's got your watch, Flynn, my pis-
tol and F1eetfoot He's gone sure as
shootin'. l saw the devil shinin' in
his eyes when he drew the sIlp"
The others were 10th to accept their
comrades suggestions, but all crept to
their resting places with heavy hearts.
"We kin live on BEANS" muttered
Bagly, $ but what in thunder will be-
come of the woman an the kids ?"