The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-08-12


first time | had ever seen him wear q
white shirt. He held an old beaver hat
in his hand, and was abscntly brushing
the nap with his sleeve.
'It's come, dear. That! I'm goin
ter D.. I'll try if he won't wait till
fall.rll work hard. Maybe the crops'll dc
summat I'll sell the stock''-those old
horses were so dear to him. "No,
don't kiss me, dear: it 'ud break INC
down. I've just found out I'm 4 weak
old man. l never felt it aforc."
lie staggered out TO the barn. fol-
lowed him.
"I mayn't be back for two days or so.
Will YOU be afccrcd:'
"No,"I said, but was. Ihclpcd him
into the wagon. lie seemed dazcd and
half-blindcd by his misfortune. Oh, if
could help him. l did the work faith
fully when he was gone, driving the
cows and milking them, and taking care
of the house and George and the poultry.
The next day band of lndians:-ten
or twclvc-rodc up to the cabin. l was
frightened, but met them as coolly rs if
l had plenty to protect me. George, in
wild alarm, hid under the bed. The
Indians seemed kind, and only wanted a
drink Of milk. There were four squaws
among them, with kind, bright eyes
one gave me a necklace Of beads as they
rode of.
Shortly afterward Mr.. Little and Tom
Gray rode up in haste, their horses white
with foam.
Bessie" shouted Mr.. Little, as he
came up over the hill. 'Is she here?
Have YOU seen hcr?'
Not for a week." said elias any.
thing happcncd"
''She went to ride yesterday afternoon,
and hasn't returned yet, nor has she been
seen. We hoped she WAS here"
"Shc hasn't been"
They looked white and scared. Mr..
Little seemed to have aged in night.
s:There was band of Indians here, :"
said Gray; "they II ay have taken her.
Itold them OF the Indians visit, and
thought it improbable, as they seemed
so kindly disposed; but they rode oil
following the trail.
That nj ght was more dreadful than
the first, aud the dog seemed trcnzicd
over the cayotcS, who yelled till morn.
ing. and I cried myself into Mysteries
and frightened poor little Georgia, who
sat up in bed and screamed the "kiyos
were eating his dirl." lie always called
Miss Bessie his dir"
The next morning number of people
came up; they were hunting for Bessie.
The whole ncighborhood was searched.
could not leave home. but Gcorgie
and walked over the ranch, lorkinG in
every hoe, and wistfully across the
plains. Our dog, Smarty, ran after us,
and silly old turkcy-gobblcr, my pet
and the pride of my poultry yard, joined
in the procession. Smarty chased him,
and Gobble flew over the wirc-fcncc and
rushed down the hill, through valley,
across the road, and saw the two, mere
snccks, tearing up the hill near the we'll.
"IIcll kill Gol,blc!' shouted, scizing
Gcorgic's hand, and VIC rushed after
them, George crying at the top Of his
lungs and being windcd at every step.
At last I took him on my back, and
finished the race with heavy burden.
At the foot of the hill was the WELL
and there Gobblc stood, scolding and
shaking his red neck, while Smarty
seemed to have forgotten his very exist
cncc. but was running around the well.
uttcring short, quick barkS.
The planks around and over the we'll
were gone, and the earth about it was
plowcd as if there had been q struggle.
l drorncd Gcorgic's hand and rushed
down. l pushed Smarty away, and
looked down. 1t WAS dark, but fancicd
I saw something white away down. Just
then 4 faint voice from the depths of the
Garth shouted:
''Icip. hclp.'
"Tm Charley Boyd. Who's here?
Shout again"
Bessie Little. My horse fell: he's
dead, away down. I'm clinging to a
plank in the side. can't hold on much
longer. My arms arc breaking"
What could do?
"Eessic," shouted, 'hold on little
while; I'm going for help"
GIVE been unconscious. I'm faint. /
shall die. Don't leave me. The dirt
falling brought me 10 life
"Ill leave Georgia here. Here,
Georgic, your dirl is in that hole; sit
there and talk to her. Don't you cry. "
Gcorgie's lip trcmblcd, but he minded
bravcly, pleading the dog should stay,
but l was afraid to trust him. "Gobble
tay wifi Dorgc.n he said, piteously; but
that sagacious bird WAS already winging
and hopping his way homeward. l left
Bessie answering Gcorgic's scared
"IIalloom
If she could keep conscious till got
back. How thanked grandpa for his
careful habits. l knew just where the
new clothcs-linc was. the crowbar and
the hatchct. We were eight miles from
any ranch, and | must act as if there was
no one in the world to help her.
How got back l never knew. 1 saw
Georgia from the top of the hill. lie had
crawlcd to the edge of the well, and was
singing 4 little bahysong | had taught
him. His cheeks were red and fcverish,
and his voice loarse.
"Bcssie" I shouted.
GAN right. Georgia kept me from
fainting. made him sing"
''Dit dirl ont! dit dirl out" Gcorgie
screamed, clinging to my skirts. l pushed
him away; there was no time to pet or
comfort him.
"Run to the road, George, that way
now halloo for help. Yes, take the dog.
Tell everybody Your dirl is in Bycrs'
well"
knew his white, tcar-wct face would
bring the most unbclicving stranger, and
| watched his chubby form, in the
bright plaid dress, and the painting dog
disappear over the hill. All the while |
was digging a deep hole with the
llatchct, and scooping the earth out with
my hands, and shouting every few mo-
mems to Ecss;c | buried the crowbar
halfway. then tried my weight; it did
not move. | had seen men wind lines
around a post to raise heavy objects.
"put this moose around your waist" l
shouted.
81 dare not" she answered, family.
"lou couldn't help me. On, so Tor
help"
You must. The ends fast to crow
bar. l can't find anybody. They're all
hunting for you.'
81 CAN'T" she cried, pitcously.
"Thcn I'll leave you!' | shouted. Its
getting late; it's your last chance"
There was a ghastIy stiffness for few
moments. wound the line around the
bar and around my waist.
I.ook out" she screamed. | heard
the beam 90 ra,tling down, and icar-
full strain tlghtcncd tho cord. Thought
it would cut me in two. Fo: moment
l thought I was going over. Happily,
the ridge of earth was 4 protection. The
rope lo2scncd.
"IIaul easy" she cried. 81 can catch
my feet in the sides, the earth is soft. !"
wound the rope around the bar and
myself was in perfect snarl.
Suddenly the rope grew loose, there
was no weight. Was she lost! Every
thing grew black, and l knew nothing.
When came to, there were two men
1. -, lr,,, ~,