Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-06-20


Where she is, and whose trail is she
on p said Flynn.
She's way down there in an old log
house where nobody lives. We was
going TO Kiwanna camp, cause we
heard pa was there, but Freddie took
sick. and mas afraid he'll die; so IT
ye'n please give me some wittles lll
90 back, cause she's alone
'Wharll we do, boys p asked Bagly.
we can't leave the critters there
some OF us must 90 with the chick and
bring them here
Reed can be spared suggested one
Of the men.
Bah ! interrupted Ben Skinner,
surlv, ill-natured fellow - Reed, with
his white face, that grows whittier every
DAY! If the woman saw him she'd
think death had came for the youngster
sure.'
The men glanced toward 81, who
was leaning against tree, apparently
oblyious of what was gong on around
him and evidently did not hear the un-
feeling 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 provender. We are out OF iunds'
but this taking a valuable watch
from his pocket, can be left as se9u'
rity.'
Aud this can keep 1t conpany,' said
Basly, producing handsome pistol.
Skinner drew The slip Of paper upon
which the word 'go' was written.
The little gal can sit before ye, and
ye can stop at the cabin and give this,
the last of our hard tack, 10 the wo-
man., said Bagly.
Fleetwood, their only horse, was
quickly saddled, and Skinner started on
his erraud.
Tell yer ma to fight her luck few
hours longer, and when supplies come
we'll give ye rousing supper shouted
Bagly, as they rode away.
When some distant from the hut
Skinner put the girl down gave her The
biscuit anc resumed his journey.
In the evening Flynn and Blgly
went over TO the hut, intending 10 bring
the women and her children up to
camp.
skinner will get back about eight
o'clock. I guess the sick boy only
wants little feeding up to make him
all right remarked Flynn as they az
preached the hut.
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 wher Freddie was
just few weeks old, her husband left
her TO join a party Of prospectors who
were going TO the Sierra Nevada re-
gion, and she had never heard from or
seen him since. She waited until her
funds were nearly exhausted then
made her way 10 Sacramento. While
supporting her children as best she
could, she learned that tne party had
broken camp; her husband had been
brought to Sacramento and placed IN a
hospital. where he remained long
time seriously i'll with brain fever. She
traced Tim 10 tie hospital, only to find
that he had gone away again no one
could tell whittier. Recently she learn
ed that a man answering bis description
and bearing the same name. was work.
isg in the Klwanna mines, and she was
on her way there. He had always been
a fond husband aud father, and she
believed he had searched for her also,
bui they had missed each other.
The two men were deeply moved as
they listened to the story Of her suffer-
ipgs, and, after much persuasion, in
duced her 10 return 10 camp with them;
promising that one OF the miners would
90 tie following day 10 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 Tor the pur-
pose, and Bagly trudged along with
Maggie IN his arms.
When the party reached camp it was
past the time set for SINNERS return,
but he had not arrived. A bed OF
brushwood covered with hlan ket was
arranged for the guests, aud after they
had lain down the mer lighted their
pipes and gathered around the fire. con-
verslng in low whispers and listening
eagerly for the sound of Tie horses
footsteps.
He oughter bin here long afore this,
said Bagly, rousing himself from a
brown study. Boys, be scooted.'
The suggestion fell like a bombshell;
no one spoke for moment, thea Bag
ly resumed:
He's got your watch. Flynn-m my
pistol and Fleelfoot. He's gone sure
as shootin'. l saw the cussedness
shinln' in his eyes when be drew th'
slip.'
The others were 10th 10 accept thei
comrades suggestion, but all crept tC
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