Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-11-28
what I wanted. Gall him in,

Ana SO, mOm0UG ldG6T, All eyes
grew rounder and winter than ever as
be listened to the Thanksgiving story.
"Those were troubled times with
western folks. The Indians we're not
very near us; indeed, father never bad a
fear in regard to the Indians attacking
us. No one whom we knew of, living
within twenty miles of us, had been
troubled by the Indians. One day in
October we children had been out all the
afternoon, having a happy time. We
gathered yards and yards of creamy
white clematis and beautiful wild colum-
bine; even Bathsheba tucked up her
skirts and waded like born water bird
to get the columbines from the bank OPP
posite."
A ripping laugh from Nellie, and
Uncle Phil stopped story telling to ask:
"What is it, Nellie ?"
"S1ck funny name, Uncle Phil.
Who was Bathsheba q
Bathsheba was our only sister. A
pretty girl, too, [ do assure you, not
withstanding her outlandish name. She
had blue eyes and golden hair, and we
boys almost worshipped her, because
she was so beautiful and good. She didn't
dress much like you, Nellie; but she
looked pretty enough, in her plain, blue
flannel dress, which came half way be-
tween knees and ankles, leaving her
white feet bare. I told you there were
eight of us. There was father, mother,
Aunt Huldah and the hired man, Nick,
Vose, Bathsheba, Ephraim, jeremiah and
myself. Well, that October day, after
we had gathered all the clematis and
columbiues we wanted, we carried them
home to mother, tackled the pretty vines
all around the cottonwood logs and filed
a big Jar with the columbines. Then we
were off again. eremiah and shooting
wild game and Eph going with Bath
sheba to gather some beautiful ferns,
which grew In belt of woods a quarter
of mile from the hut, our home. The
short day was drawing to a close and
Eph and Bathsheba had not yet joined
us.
"fCome on!' l said to Jerry. Let's
go home. I'm as hungry as hunter. ;
"'And you are hunter laughed
Jerry, gleefully, as he pointed to the
string of wild ducks which were sus-
pended from my shoulders.
But, Phil, he added, | think we
better wait for the others. Mother might
be anxious if we should get home with
out Them
"' What would make her anxious ?" l
asked, scornfully.
Indians 7 Jerry bawled in my ear.
''' IndiansP answered. you know
better. There amt a redskin within
fifty miles of us. But even as l spoke
Eph came toward Us with Bathsheba In
his arms. His face was white with
fright, and hers white with WHAT Was
it death? We did not know. Jerry
threw down his gun and prairie chickens,
and | my ducks, as we ran to meet
them.
What's the trouble, Eph p we both
asked at once.
Sc Bathsheba's tainted. Can't you
see 2 he answered, in troubled voice.
Run for some water. Quickp And
he laid her down on the dead maple
leaves which covered the green sward,
still holding his arm tenderly under
her head. Jerry ran for water, while l
rubbed my sisters hands and asked,
anxiously: What made her faint,
Eph p
"' Hush!' he said sternly. 81 can't
tell you now. Wait until we get Bath
sheba safe back with mother. Then I'll
have something that is something to cell
you .f
"Eph's tragic tone aroused all my
curiosity; but / knew him too we'll to
question any further. Jerry came with
the water from the brook, and he and /
bathed her face vigorously. She awoke
with gasp, and looked into Eph's face
with startled, questioning look.
"'Don't worry, Bathsheba,' Eph
said, soothingly. We're most home,
and we're safe, too.
"Safe, too. What could he mean
Jerry asked him, but received no an
swer except a warning look. Well,
Jerry and [ made seat out of our four
hands, with back of two arms, and
Eph lifted her up into it. Then we
carried her home, Eph bringing our
game and other things. Father and
Nick Vose were away from home, but
mother and Aunt Huldah met us at the
door.
"'There'snothing hematter, mother
was Eph's CHEEKY greeting. FOnly she's
pretty we'll frightened at-nothing.'
"' Oh! Eph, at nothing!' Bathsheba
said, In demonstrating voice, as she
sat up and realized where she was.
Oh! mother, twas great, tig,
ferce-looking Indian who frightened me
so. Eph didn't see him, because he was
bending over great, beautiful fern that
l wanted so much; but I saw him dis
tinctly. His big, feathered head loomed
up out of clump of young trees. and
I'm sure his big mouth was grinning in
delight over us-two children alone IN
the woods. Eph was little way off,
and / didn't dare call to him, for fear
the Indian might scalp us; and so I
threw my basket at Eph's head. That's
all know about 1t.
Sc Mother looked at EPh, and he said,
with laugh: 'And she hit me, too,
mother, a sounding thump. I thought
maybe the "cow with the crumpled
horn" had got hold of me, and, turning
to see, I saw Bathsheba motioning to
me. [ understood, by the way she