Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-12-10


could never satisfactory explain to me,
save that, in his Theodore Winthrop sh
wanderings during that years vacation,
he chanced upon it, and, finding there
rich treasure for the student and geolo-
gist, he pitched his tent, for little
space among the rough and kindly
miners. And, maybe, it was fate. 1t
is walled IN by high hills, and is like
an oasis in a rocky desert; for the
camp-ground of the miners is one OF
rank vegetation, where grass green as
emerald carpets the little stretch OF
level ground that lies, mountain belted,
so snugly away from general trespass.
True, Buccaneer Ben drove stage
from the little station to where the iron
rails had at last crept, over to Live
wood, a mining village some thirty
miles beyond. But no one ever alighted
here, the horses only stopping for a
short breathing spell after their tough
climb mp from the -ngly httla- frnthy
ford below. Eleven habitations-lairs,
dens, burrows-what you will, are
easily distinguishable, as they stand
quite apart, one from the other, upon
the rank grass land; some OF canvas,
some Of logs, some Of boughs
thatched with strange odds and ends
of cast-off clothing whose rags flap
gayly to and fro in this warm summer
sunshine; and before each, the para
phernalia of all mining districts, stand
p cks, hammers, cradles, etc. But one
tent shows q difference; the stout can
vas is somewhat lighter in shade, in
1f Il al. .
no utensils of the mine lie about, but
within swings hammock that speaks
of luxury unknown in these parts.
Thither, in time, Jack conveys his
newly adopted sister, the miners stand
ing about the doorway envying him the
rare good fortune that has come to
him in the shape of his protectorship
of the only piece of femininity upon
which they have feasted their eyes for
uncounted months,
With a sigh of relief, Leda, feeling
the gentle swaying of the hammock
beneath her, every mesh of which
seems trying to bring her rest and
ease, closes her dark-blue eyes as
might weary child. Then she hears
Jack leave her and go out to the
miners.
go, some of you, with the stage to
Livewood," she hears him command.
"Find Colonel Malone and bid him
dispatch the old Indian woman,
Lotela, to me at once. Report what
has happened here, and -"
go yerself, pard. May I take the
liberty of askin' who the devil gave
yer any right to come the high and
mighty over us dwellers of the sile ?
Hev yer been here so etarnally long
that ye think to boss us that fashion
My blinkers was fust sot on yer a
fortnit ago come Chewsday, an ye
amt been nominated fur mayor, much
laaHSa Wellesftsa sorGe oKardelf IN fDs gtaa
ter take yer place by the bedside O.
sufferin' beauty"
eyer an old fool, ez usual, Absalom
Arnold, but fools does sometimes speak
the truth, they say" begins seedy old
sinner, with chuckle that passes cur
rent for a laugh. Il can't see why it
isn't the right and proper thing for ms
to stay here watchin' O. yonder female
while the young spark goes up country
for her lady's-maid. Hey?"
aver right" calculates Sandy Sam ;
"and don't allow it to evaporate from
yer intelleck!"
what right kin We concoct--"
"She is my sister, asserts Jack stout
ly; praying in his heart that his record
ing angel will hear the words, "humanly
speaking" that he mentally adds to his
barefaced assertion.
"Yer sister? That's a likely pill
fur yout choke down this chicken
This chickens pin-feathered-lay that
knowledge by fur future reference, I'm
not in the sister business myself, but
it does seem, if I'd seen Sal Arnold
drivin' up the canon four in hand and
fallin' off into my very arms I'd ov
calculated something ter the pint on
the subiick ov the discovery ov the re-
lationship existin' atween usl Boy, it
don't go down very slick wi the old
manp
"Ask her yourself and seel" shouts
Jack, hotly, knowing no moment should
be lost: for it is long drive even with
four willing horses to Linewood, and
another means of return would have to
be managed. He approaches the tent
tly swaying hammock.
"Leda," conscious that walls have
ears, and walls of canvas more than
those of less fragile material, and, also,
perforce, Of his adopted brotherhood
"Leda, the miners doubt our relation
ship. Convince them that 1 am your
natural protector and they will not
harm you-at least while 60"
Must you go, brotherp"
For reply he calls to Absalom, who,
rather abashed, crest fallenly enters
the tent.
"Old man." says Jack, solemnly,
"let me introduce you to my sister.
Leda, this is Mr.. Arnold, the oldest
and wisest" there is a CLEAN of fun in
his deep brown eyes, that even the
many serious states of the case can not
keep away "of the intelligent miners
of Thunder Gulch. / shall leave you
in his charge until return. Will you
trust Mr.. Arnold?"
A little sea-shell of q hand issues
from the fine cashmere robe that envel-
ops her, and is stretched across the
space that separates the unfortunate
girl from the Oldest and wisest of his
kind.
II am happy to meet you, Mr.. Arnold,
and thank you for your kind protec-
tion." The big brown paw of the old
miner closes for q second over the
dainty hand it scarcely feels, and by
this action it's owner is made prisoner
forever. He shuffies out, red and BASH
full as q school-boy, and takes his post
squarely before the tents door to watch