Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-09-13
A FRONTIER MAGDALEN.
0Ihs Sin Forgiven by Christ in Heaven by
Man Is Cursed Away

wan - N'"eJs
The coach came sliding and grating
down the long hill; it swung fioutingly
through the miserable novels of the
Mexican quarter, ratified past the brilliant
temptation of the Continual" saloon
and the less imposing facade of Tre]l-
cots opposition establishment. big
Jim," :he driver, found an unthonged
spot on the sides of his horses, and so
persuaded them to final squirt, which
should emphasize the suddenness of
the pull-up on the post-office corner.
All the men lounging there under the
cottonwoods swayed and surged for a
underground whence 70 peer into the
stage.
mot a damned passenger" cried Alf
Dixon. "Boys, this camps peterin' out
Just about as fast as the law allows an a
little more so. This is the fourth night
the coach's come in empty. What the
help
"Dry up, Alfp 1t was Bruce Stewart,
the blonde young deputy sheriff, who
rode guard over the treasure-box, now
nimbly springing down from the top,
Winchester in hand. "Give us rest
on your French talk The's an old lady
4 in there-a saibtly old tender-foot-God
help her here"
He opened the coach door and made
: a baluster of his strong young arm.
"Now, ma'am, here you are at the Of
fee, il you'd like TO inquire. Maybe
some of these old citizens might tell you
about your daughter-sorry Pm straa-
ger here, you might say" with an ad-
monish;ng frown at the crowd. He
guided the old lady into the house and
pulled forward big chair, then faced
the gathering group, flushed and breath
ing hard. "Well! this stumps mel" He
pushed his way to the door, then raising
his voice again, cried, loudly, in slangy
, Spanish, "Play numskul, every man.
lhcki Of youl' That poor old soul has
come out here to find her daughter, that
she thinks is teaching school-she told
me all about it, coming up on the stage
II won't do to let her find out about il
tonight, anyway-its CARRIE"
Then Mr.. Stewart Ietreated with pre-.
\ fipita,ipn. CHe had killed his man at
Geprgetown, an adjacent camp. and, as
to physical daring, perhaps no man in
the country, had greater hardihood.
But his moral courage was not equal to
this situation; and so Bruce Stewart fled
the field.
Every, man in the post-office drus
store had understood the young deputy
admonition, and all eyes turned on the
tiny old figure sitting in their midst, al
quaint and travel-worn, but still quit
self possessed. A very little old lad.
she was, with delicate features and wax
like coloring. A bunch of feather,
white curls escaped from her bonnet a
either temple, in fashion of years lonI
gone. Herraiment was not antiquated
either as to fabric or fashioning, an,
gyetB fancifnl mind, it would sugges
lalineering fragrance of lavender an
faded rose-leaves, or kindred essences
whose very memories now are relegatet
amid the things of shadowy past.
After the secession of Bruce Stewart
the old lady sat few moments glancin
aboutswith. quiet composure. If tn
novelty of the scene surprised her. sh
h1ade-ffo signs. Neither did she SUD
cumb to fatigue. She held her ligh
shape erect as a girls when she al
preached the postmaster.
.Are you the gentleman in charge?
she said, with a precise courtesy; and ne
thin, soh tone was vocal rendering ,
old-fashioned, slanting, italian chir'
graphy. "Ah-the postmaster-ye
Then, no doubt, you will be able {
direct me to my daughter-Miss Plat
She-she is engaged in the profession
teaching
Doctor Lucas adjusted his glasses @
his thin, sharp nose, and looked at h,
Grossly. He was probably the on
man in the room who had not felt
thrill of chivalric sympathy at s1foht