The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1883-11-08

and enticed her to take 1t by pretending to
cry. Her hold on existence was like that of
some air plant; every principle of life con-
tanned in the coarser elements was 50 much
de ath to her.
"Tm nightly afear'd of losin' hit" John
her, as we shall see.
One night Sary Jane sat in the open door
and watched for him. 1t was lark in the
cabin, and a dismal wind soughed mourn
fully through the forest trees that grew up to
the very caves. Had she been older she
might have been frightened or lonely; but
she was neither. She was simply intent on
seeing her dear friend. 1t was getting very
late. Sary Jane would relax her interest and
lose herself momentarily in sleep; then sho
would rescue her faculties to look out most
earnestly for a few moments longer. Pres
emily she heard a r~ustling among the grass,
and leaning forward cried eagerly, "Donl
DouP'
"Yes, honey" answered a faint voice,
Then there was the silence of expectation;
an expectation not realized for the baby
voice spoke again out Of tho deep hush Of
listening Don't Donf'
And still no answer. Sobs began to
tear their way from the long
waiting baby bosom, which swelled into a
touching cry, mingled with 'Mammyi
Nanny
Tbs tnother woke up and tried to take the
child from the door, which only increased
her screams Then, somehow or other, she
know that John was out there and could not
come in. She lit a candle, aroused the larger
boys and went out to where the poor fellow
was lying In q pool Of his own blood, riddled
with buckshot.
They got him in the house and on the bed.
They checked tho flow of blood from his
n ms wounds Ha still hraathad thnftOh ha
was partly unconscious. In the morning a
doctor came, said there was no hope and
went away. About noon John opened his
eyes and looked around The widow placed
Sary Jane close up where he could see her.
He put his arm around her with difficulty;
then he looked from faco to face; many
neighbors were there. Ho tried to speak; 1t
was evident no had something to say to
Deacon Wilson; but not until the heat of the
day had passed and tho DOL twilight had
come could he muster strength.
"What's your 'pinion on the situation,
deaconf" he asked.
The deacon said no hoped he would get
well.
"No;' said John, "this lays mo out. But
from your STANDPOINT, now, what do you
'spose my chances over there is worth I'm
not skeered, but I'd like your idees."
"What Is 1t about the the stealth.
JohnT'
"Stealin'r' said John; ~ want a stealth.
Why, look at this famerly; not a bit O. meat in
the house. / was 'bleeged to hev II. I'd a
heap ruther be where l am than in the tracks
Of the man that shot me-heap ruther.
Think I'd kill a teller critter for akin the
Lords substance to feed such helpless things
As thisF' He pressed the baby closer to
him why, I'd be meaner than the devil
not to do it. S'Pose don't know 1 take my
life In my hands when l start out after night
to get grub Course / know the resk. But
what do you reckon the Lord 'ud say to me
II l neglected my duty by 'em. Feed my
Lambs;' them's HIS words; Feed my lambs.
That's all right, deacon; my ways the Lord
won't go agin'; but 1t hurts me now to think
! never was q prayin' man, i don't know
nothin' about savin' grace and 1t pears like
l mought allowed the dear Redeemer better
than / did. / can't believe as any on US Is goin'
TO be everlastin'ly lost. l believe even them
pore cretures that boards up meat in houses
and has more flour and p~ertatus than they
can eat, and more clothes than they can war,
and more money than they can spend will
hev another chance after this life and will
eventually repent and get forgiveness. But l
tell you, deacon, l want to go to heaven direct.
/ want to see the Lord. l want Him to
pint some one in my place to take keer OF
these helpless ones. l die IL l moved
this little child would be left in want"
"You lack savin' grace, john" said the
deacon. "You must pray for forgiveness
the Lord can pardon the vilest sinner that
ever lived, through the power of prayer"
"But, deacon, 1 amt no sins to forgive. /
amt afear'd to face the Lord; why, bless His
lovin' soul, He was a man of sorrers, just
like me, and he's not goin' to shet His heart
agin me. l don't need TO humble myself be-
T--. Hi, Ill.,. .-l -. E-l - .-g.lN. l..
understandin' for yers and yers. Visit the
widders in their afiiction,' says He. and take
keer of the orphans Feed my lambs SEE He,
and l done it.n
Works without faith" says tho deacon.
'are barren. Saving grace comes Of prayer
and fifth"
~ amt never prayed none" said John, and
it's too late now"
He turned his face away and fell asleep.
The watchers thought he would die about
midnight, but he slept quietly and painlessly.
and In the morning took some refreshment.
He fingered three days, occasionally opening
his eyes and speaking to Sary jane, who sat
perched close up to him the greater part of
tho time. She had her shoes and red stock
ings there with her. Almost the last word
he spoke was to call attention to her. 'She's
mighty pale and peeked lookin'" he said.
Bring ne some grub and led me feed her"
They brought him some chicken cut In
small bits. Take a bite, honey he said.
She shook her head.
"John'l cry et you don'tn He put his
poor, blocdless hand over his eyes.
She looked at him with a show Of anxiety
and opened her mouth like "a bird. But she
could not swallow the ood at cbokes me
sroat," she said. Indeed, the little throat was
swelling with long repressed sob Her pa.
| liant aonl coutd hold ont M lon1ar .o.fnxt
the grief and anxiety that beset her.
Don't cry, honey" said John; 'cuddle
down to pore old John and let's both go to
sleep, Mebby we'll wake up feelin' better. "
It was late in the evening when the two
fell asleep. They rested so quietly that the
watchers, worn out and tired, dropped into
easy positions and dozed. Just at the break OF
day, one-a ncighbor-went to them. The
baby lay across Johns arm s~lantingwise, and
his hand clasped one of her slendar ankles.
The hand WINS ash-colored, and 1t was cold as
clay. 1t had communicates Its chill and il
pallor to the little leg in its grasp.
Take her away. quick" said the widow,
reaching the BEDSIDE.
But the neighbor did not take her AWAY.
He turned suddenly and grasped the widows
hands.
'Glory to Godr" be said Praised be His
holy name, for His wisdom exceedetb the
wisdom OF man. Sister, they fell asleep to
gether; and they have walked up feeling bet
ter. l know it because they are 10th in
heaven
Tall: Potato stalk
In Indiana, where hoop-poles are chased AZ
timber, n farmer has succeeded In raising
n potato stalk over lsns fset high. He trim
med Off all the side branches aud supported
Il by means OF a stake.