Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-08-23

DTlUO lUcDl mere.
Reed can be spared" suggested one
of the men.
"Bahr' interrupted Ben Simmer,
surly, ill-natured fellow; Reed, with
his white face, that grows whittier every
day. If the woman saw him she'd
| think death had come for the youngster
ure."
The men glanced toward 81, who was
now leaning against q tree, apparently
oblivious of what was going on around
him, and evidently did not hear the I'M
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 pro-
vender. We are out of funds, but this"
taking valuable watch from his peck
ct, lean be left as security"
''And this can keep it company" said
Bagley, producing a handsome pistol.
Skinner drew the slip of paper upon
which the word ''go'' was written.
1.-THE little girl can sit before We, and
We can stop at the cabin and give this,
the last of our hard tack, TO the wo-
man." said Bagley.
One of the men came forward with q
flask of whisky, which he asserted would
''straighten out the little chap" Fleet
wood, their only horse, was quickly
saddled and Skinner started on his er-
rand.
Tell yer ma to fight her luck few
hours longer, and when supplies come
We'll give We rousing supper. shouted
BagleY as they rode away.
When some distance from the hut
Skinner put the girl down, gave her the
| biscuit and flask, after drinking half
its contents, and resumed his journey.
In the evening Flynn and Bagley
went over to the hut, intending to bring
the woman and her children up to the
camp.
Skinner will get back about eight
O'Clock. | guess the sick boy only wants
a little feeding up to make him all
right, remarked Flynn as they ap-
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 when Freddie was only few
weeks old, her husband left to Join a
| party OF prospectOrS who were going to
! the Sierra Nevada region, and she had
| never heard from or seen him since.
| She waited until her funds were nearly
| exhausted, then made her way to Sac
ramentO. While supporting her child
! rem as best she could she learned that
| the party had broken camp; her hus-
| band had been brought to Sacramento
and placed in hospital, where he re-
manned long time seriously i'll with
| brain fever. She traced him to the hos
pital only to find that he had gone
! away again, no one could tell WHITTIER
Recently she learned that man an
| swering his description and bearing the
same name was working in the KiWan-
ma mines, and she was on her way
there. He had always been q fond hus-
band and father, and she believed he had
searched for her also, but they had
missed each other.
The two men were deeply moved as
they listened to the story of her suffer
ings, and, after much persuasion, in
| duced her to return to camp with them,
| promising that one of the miners would
go the following day to Kiwanna, about
ten miles distant, and make inquiries
concerning the person she supposed was
| her husband. Without further ceremo-
ny Flynn wrapped the boy in the blank
ct he had brought for the purpose.
Bagley 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 brush
wood covered with q blanket was ar
ranged for the guests, and after they
had lain down the men lighted their
pipes and gathered around the fire,
conversing in low whispers and listening
eagerly for the sound of the horse's foot
steps.
''He oughter bin here long afore
this, said Bagley, rousing himself from
q brown study. Boys, he's scooted :"
The suggestion fell like a bombshell;
no onespoke for q moment, then Bagley
resumed:
Hes got your watch, Flynn, my pis-
tol and Fleetfoot. He's gone sure as
shootin'. | saw the devil shining in
his eyes when he drew the slip
The others were 10th to accept their
comrades suggestions, but all crept
to their resting places with very heavy
hearts.
eve kin live on beans,' muttered
Bagley, "but what in thunder will be-
come of the woman an the kids?"
In the morning there was considerable
excitement in Eureka Camp. Two of
the men, Bagley and Reed, were miss
ing. After a protracted search, the lat
ter was found near clump of bushes
some distance away in an unconscious
state, having apparently fallen in fit.
They carried him back to camp, laid the
limp form on bramble bed and gazed
at each other in blank dismay.
Call the woman; p'raps she'll know
what to do" advised Tom Knowles.
The woman did not wait to be called.
Seeing that something was amiss, she
approached the group. The next mo-
ment heartrending cry burst from her
lips. Falling upon her knees. she threw
her arms around the sick man and kiss
ed the still, white face in wild, distract
! j Il. i