Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-02-14
Gales a1lb Skeifkts.
mrs. suEPnERD's BABY.
Confined from Yesterday. J


It was Tins cook week, and his coffee
Was SCANNING when the men entered the
hut. Tin plates and cups were set in or
der.
We've got company" exclaimed star
ling. pushing the boy before him.
'sSurely we've got an extra" laughed
Tim, Immediately filing tin cup and
setting it on q board that did duty -
table. '.Some time since he had square
meal, by his looks" running his eyes
over the boy and then to Startling. who
seemed to tower so far above him.
Been sick" answered the latter, tax
ing the cup from the table and giving it
to the lad. Drink 1t; you'll feel better.
and the rest OF the fixins is nice. Inn Is
first-rate cook"
The action pleased the men; there was
no want Of kindness to the boy.
After supper the men filled their pipes
and threw themselves down before the
fire Of sweet smelling balsam. The lad
begged TO wash up; he could sleep better
for it, he said. and Tim allowed him, nod
ding over to the men when it was done
with an air Of appreciation and . smile
that seemed to say, Hell not be in the
way"
Had that cough long ?" Dandy asked,
as the lad came and curled down to the
fire.
''Since was sick. It's worse at night, :"
answered the lad, who gave his name as
Lance Leonard
More pine Knots were thrown on. req
flames lesped upward and brought out
The trees and s the camp utensils with clear s
ries were told and the laugh went around.
Gradually the fire died away and the mer-
riment went out with 1t. The camp was
still and the men were asleep.
Weeks passed the weary men found
change in their camp fare but the LAD
was sensibly growing weaker. ana MS
cough awoke grave fears.
Its easy enough to see the kid wants
his mother" said Starting,
ITS long journey, and he's not mt to
60 alone" added Slender:
las lit as ne is to work here" ventured
Tim.
Hes one OF us, and we can help him, y
cbimed another.
THAT'S what we'll do. Wen help
him." was said heartily.
There was deep silence. Slender was
not a talker. More than once ne thought,
however, that he would take Lance to his
mother. and then he would go to his own
home. Once more that racking cough.
"YOu are not feeling as well tonight,
Lance ?" was asked.
Its the cough; it won't let me rest, :"
was the reply.
There's doctor at the Gulch," was
suggested.
Eyes. first rate. I've heard say"
Slender went out into the night. II q
doctor could be found he would bring him.
Ihe moon was hanging IKE silver shield
in the sky. The pines stood Is eentinels /;
the stars glistened. 1t was long walk
The doctor was standing before the camp
fire, and Lance was wandering. Now It
was gold. His mother was poor. He had
brother and dear little sister; they
would never know how he had tried.
''Can he get well ?" asked Dandy.
Nothing but a miracle will save him, ~
was the doctors reply.
Hours passed the doctor was still watch
ing. There was no sleep. A voice SEEM
ed to come at intervals from outside.
''It's Slender; do believe he's pray
ing" was said tenderly.
The boy cried out for his mother. "Sing,
please, one of the old SONGS" he said.
The doctor looked up to Startling.
II can't the men whispered hoarsely
'.Slender can sing" said Dandy.
The latter went out noiselessly. When
he returned Slender was with him.
''Sing. please" pleaded Lance.
at seems as though God and his angles
were here" whispered Startling.
The camp was forgotten. They were
boys again. The dear old home was be-
fore them. Slender never knew how it be-
gan. but he was singing
Rock Of ages, elefs for me,
Let me hide myself in thee"
smile settled over the face of the sick
youth. He was asleep. Slender lapsed
into silence. Strange thoughts stirred the
hearts Of the miners. WASH all of life to
dig for goldP Gradually sweet thoughts
crept In Of love and tender claspings and
dear faces, tear-stsined. looking and long.
ing for the return of the wanderer.
Yes. and We will gop" II was Star
ling. He had not intended to speak aloud
but it did not waken the sleeper.
Slender was the first to read the truth.
Lance was asleep, but 1t was the sleep that
wakens on the other shore.
The day was capricious and the wind
clustering. Bright colored leaves filled