Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-09-24
Or, JUST A CAMPIN,.
~ o. Q. POST.

n O. O. Posr.
PUBLISHED BY PERMISSION OF J. z. DowHrY
Co., PUBLISHERS, CHICAGO.
CHAPTER xvI-CoNr1NuKp
But now all knew to a certainty that
the family circle was to be broken, and
broken somewhat rudely.
To Lucy there constantly came the
thought that Erastus was going be-
cause of his love for her, although he
made no sign and she could only sur
mise.
She realized, too, more and more,
now dearly she loved him, and that
union with Mr.. Annelsey, separating
her as 1t would do from all she held
most dear, would not bring her happi-
ness. She saw now that her lover had
no influence which could be used to aid
the settlers in obtaining justice from
the mining company, and that, even if
he should be generous enough to give
direct personal assistance to her own
family, which somehow she doubted,
her father was far too proud to ac-
cept it.
Then the thought which had come to
her during the ride home from the
Landing, when the announcement of
her engagement had been made, that
her family must think her selfishly seek
ing an alliance with one who was con-
nected with the cause of their mis-
fortunes, returned to her again and
again, producing feeling that she was
excluded from their innermost thoughts
and affections, which could not but af-
fect her actions, however she might
acting upon the others, very nearly
produced the feeling she deplored.
Mrs. Parsons felt that her flock of
younglings were about to take wing;
that the children for whom she had la
bored and planned and lived were to go
from her, in all probability never to be
reunited on earth again. Not only
Erastus, but Lucy, and then Jennie,
would soon seek homes for themselves;
and that, too, far away from their par
ents, who were to be left alone and
lonely in their old age.
No, not quite alone. Johnny would
never leave them: no matter what else
might happen, the bird with the broken
wing would not leave the home nest.
But what if the nest should be de-
stroyed. and the crippled bird be left to
suffer from lack of food and shelter?
She and John were getting old now.
She had never recognized this as fact
before, but now she felt that it was
true. Surprising that the ranch should
be destroyed, and they in their old age,
and with helpless child, be turned out
to begin again?
Suppose-but no, she would not think
of it The Lord would provide. They
had been through many trials. and their
sufferings had not been more than they
could bear. and she must not permit
herself to be gloomy and SO add to the
sufferings of the others.
She went about her work with a
cheerful air; putting Erastus' clothing
in the best possible repair; made him
new shirts and underclothes, and did
many little things besides, which she
thought might add to his comfort when
he should he far from her. with none to
do these little favors for him.
As for John Parsons, he was simply
passive.
The CLEAN of sunshine which had
come to him when hope revived with
the beginning of the work on the dam
had died out, and he saw nothing bright
in the gloom which enveloped him.
He went around in a quiet kind of
way, saying little, but striving to add
what he could to the physical comfort
of each member of his family, but
neither suggesting nor opposing any
thing.
And now the morning of the day on
which Erastus was to leave them had
arrived.
The wagon which he was to take had
been loaded the day before. There was
. bed and bedding, his trunk containing
his personal effects, and box into
which Mrs. Parsons and the girls had
managed, unknown to him, to put sew
eraI little articles of comfort or luxury
rs pleasant surprise and reminder of
them when he should unpack it at the
end of the journey.
There was also a plow and few
other agricultural and mechanical i'm
plements, several sacks of grain for the
colts, and provisions sufficient to last a
little time after he should reach his des-
tiIation.
Silently he took the hand of the man
who had been the only father he had
ever known. With all his might he
strove to say goodbye, but could not
master his voice. and he dropped the
hand, kissed each of the women in
turn, and without word sprang upon
the wagon and drove away out Of their
sight
As the family turned to enter the
house, old Bose, who had appeared not
exactly to understand the cause of all
he had seen. looked inquiringly up into
their faces and then away in the direc-
ton in which the wagon had disap-
peared, as if to ask if this was anything
more than the usual daily trip to town.
Apparently convinced by the sorrow
full looks of all that something grave
had occurred, he lifted his nose in the
air and gave long, low, mournful
howl, and lay down with his head upon
his outstretched paws, and continued to
look down the road.
He never returned to his old place
upon the kitchen porch. but always,
until he died, was to be found near the
same spot in the front yard, with his
head turned in one dir eetion. and if not
sleeping, with his old eyes fixed upon
the point in the road where a wagon
coming over the hill would first be WIS.,
ible. Occasionally. if hungry. he would
go to the kitchen for food, but usually
it was carried to him, and one morning
when they went to feed him, they
found him dead, his head upon his ont
stretched paws. as if still looking down
CHAPTER XVII
DEsoLATIoN.
Erastus was six days in making the
Journey to Mussle Slough, and a Desc
bate looking country he found it.
For T,,lteaS nd r,,i1os OF 80