The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-09-06
ALBION'S FALL.

used to be a custom for the lads and
assies to enjoy horseback ride to
Powder Hill one May morning. Moth
ing ever prevented general assembling
Of the young people but q downright
storm, when the excursion was post
poned till the first fair day.
Looking toward the hill, which COM
manded fine view of the surrounding
country, two old farmers were watching
. company of riders returning from one
OF the annual expeditions. They were
doing the home stretch in splendid style,
The foremost leaders speeding ahead side
BY side, and without o break for some
distance.
''That colt of Stickney's is fine 'un-
thin in the neck and thick in the flank,
and those long hind legs give him pow
erful stride. See him git over the road,
will yer? Jinny's old roam Is hard
pushei to keep up, but she'll make him
II she can. She amt goin' to be beat if
abe kin help it,"
1t was a cold, raw morning, and the
along under his nose as he looked admir-
abrugged his shoulders before answering
advisedly.
sits mighty risky riding, Runnels.
that's what It's. The colt amt half
broke. no more than the one that's riding
Il. But Stickney can't help it, sup.
pose; young folks will be risky"
And now the cavalcade rode gaily up
and drew rein by the speakers.
"Well, Mr.. Runnels, what think you
u our mount this year" called out one
Of the party.
"Fust rate, fust-rate, and no mistake;
. good turnout. that's a fact. Albion
here looks Us if a leap over Rsddy's
Gulch wouldn't be nothin' to him or hi,
nag" said the man addressed as Run
nails.
Come on, boys, let's go home that
way and try it," cried out the leader,
half turning in his saddle and starting
forward. The others followed laughing.
"What on airth dye want to put that
in his head for, Runnels? Hes wild
enough to try it,"
II guess not. He knew I were only
iokin'. But, thunder and Mars! They
are turnin' into Raddy's feld-but they
won't try It'll No-no-they won't be so
foolhardy! Albion's only goin' to scare
,s0."
Still, the man looked after the retreat
ing forms little anxiously, while the
ether declared "the young 'un's blood
Was up-hed dare anything"
Probably not one of the merry group
zntici Dated aught but sport as they rap
IDLY neared the ravine just outside the
village known as Raddy's Gulch, when
Suddenly the Stickney colt and rider
essayed the leap across, and would have
been successful but that the opposite
bank, which had been frozen, proved an
insecure footing, and gave way before
the colt could scramble up the sides.
None too quickly did the reckless young
man loosen his feet from the stirrups.
In .he fierce struggles Of the colt to re-
gain firm footing, he was borne to the
ground. The gulch was not very deep
o. very dangerous. and the colt, sliding
and slipping half way down, soon OBJ
famed foothold, apparently unhurt;
bnt his rider was picked up and carried
home in an unconscious condition; no
eee knew how badly he was hurt. And
thus the day which had begun so
brightly closed for some with gloomy
fDrebodings.
For months Albion WAS closely con.
fned to the house and carefully nursed
y his devoted mother. There were
those who said he never would walk
again.
A bed had been arranged for him in
tAs sitting room, to be handy to the
6tchen and make the work easier for
those who had to wait ON him. He ap
peared to have very little interest in
every day affAirs, but once he spoke to
his mother ~ she sat by the window
sewing, and asked her il jennie Burr
Id ever been in to see him.
"When you were frat taken" was the
nnsver. shes coming down the road /;
Dsen up to neighbcr Abbott's with some
aRRs. guess" she sdded.
"Call her in, m other; call her in.
vant 10 see her, he said.
Mrs. Stickney looked ct her son eau
ssously. put down her work and went 10
- door.
The girl. upon being spoken to. came
NJ the walk slowly, and her plump, rosy
Ssos did not tighten when told that AL
uion wanted TO see her."
lyon 60 right in, and I'll look after
~ kitchen fire first and then follow
yss."
Mn. Sticknsy hustled away, and
vsnt slowly into the sitting room. y here
of>sr sxohanging the usaal greetings, she
- down near the door.
n reckon 70 don't miD Nc much, 7"
- the siok man. II heard you were
- xfdfng With I'd Barton"