The Hazlehurst signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1883-1885, 1885-11-05

gulch. had heard. rs he passed the liz.
tic cabin which Boston had built near
his claim. a man crying out and groan.
ing. aud, entering. found tho young
stranger delirious, no fire to keep out
the freezing cold. and no food on the
shelf. This cxigency resolved itself in.
to primo amusement for Bill. He kept
house. cooked for the sick man (for,
like all pioneers. no had some skill In
border cuisinc), and, though rather
skeptical Ms to the efficacy Of medicine,
got ono OF the several doctors that
ilourished in the town. The sixth day
OF his illness Boston recovered his right
mind and recognized Bill. who was
filed with precipitate rcloicipgs. ~
guess You amt feclin' very smart"
Boston smiled fcebly and shook his
head. You've been sick long spell"
volunteered tho nurse, cheerfully.
"You about like to died" The sick
man nodded fcebly, then asked;
"Am going to get well?"
"Woll. 1 calc'late thar's n chance II
We don't git no sctback-an ye amt
agoin' to. We know" continued Bill.
brightly. Boston said nothing. but lay
watching the other with that CLASSY
stare the sick have.
81 s'posc you amt got no folks
around var. hcv ye'" BIZ asked, in a
solicitous tone
Boston shook his head impatiently.
He thought for long time with his
eyes fixed on the ceiling; then no
aroused himself suddenly and motioned
Bill to his side. When his companion
had seated himself on the bed Boston
laid ono thin hand on his and said.
while the tears of gratitude and feeble
ness gathered in his eyes.
IL know would have died here alone
IL it hadn't been for you"
"Get outr cried Bill, Indignantly.
"Ain't we even' guess I'd DO out
thar with my boots on II it hadn't been
for YOU"
IL don't know that ! care particu-
larry about getting well. but If do
we're partners IN all good luck"
Bill flushed and said: 81 gsess you'd
better dry up now"
Boston lay perfectly still after this.
and Bill thought he was sleeping; but
after u time he saw his lips move. and
bent down to hear what he was trying
to say.
"Bill." he whispered, III the worst
comes. I'll like my father to know. His
name is Edward Payson. of les Bca-
con street, Ny name is George. !
haven't made the most of my life, and
the poor old man is put out with me
now. Then there were others"
But Boston's voice sank and he fell
again into q lcthargic slumber
Bill lit pipe and amused himself by
frequent STRINGS and pokings at the
fire. which the wind tried to suck up
and out. The sick mans ileeting rem
inisccncc of his broken past had sug.
ges,ed to Bits waveriug mind his own
bitter rc,rospections. Presently he be.
came conscious that the silence had in
some way dcepcned-that some hither-
20 unnoticcd noise had ceased ESQ the
ear will become conscious OF the pres
cnce of clock by the cessation OF its
ticking). Bill went TO the bed. twas
Bos,on's breathing that had stopped!
A sudden terror took possession of tho
watcher. He felt he could not remain
alone with that deal man aud listen to
the hideous wind. He threw his coat
abou, him, pulled his hat over his ears,
and He'd from the place.
The drifts were terrible. and the slcct
that beat upon his face was like the
touch OF death. The light OF the rail-
road station shonc through the storm.
and toward this he struggled. The
sleepy operator in the telegraph room
started up in establishment at the huge,
snow-covered figure that staggered into
the room.
My pardner is dead. wanter send
a telegraf to Boston. What'll it takc?"
"How many words?"
81 don't know" said Bill. I'm not
up to this layout Of yourn. What's tho
limit?"
"Just write out"
"write out'" said Bill, grimly.
go. no, I'm no purfessor in college,
Just you write exactly what 1 tell YOU"
IAN right"
"Just say" began Bill. Edward
Payson. No. 1928 Beacon street. Bos-
ton Got that DOWN."
deacon street, Boston, yes" said
the operator
Bill continued: 81 take my pen in
hand"
mo" said tho other. "Cut all
that"
"Ye see," said Bill, apologetically,
"I wanter break the news to tho old
gent However. You know best. Just
say that his son George died here to-
night of newmony. Kin ye send that
word by telegraph
The operator read:
DxADwoop. Feb 2. ls5s-TO Edicdrd Pdyson,
1919 Beacon street, Boston, Mdss.: Your son
died here tonight OF pneumonia. VIII bury
him here and await your orders.
BILL RAosDALE.
That's right I'll have him buried
here till the old man comes. Now,
young Teller. I'm dead broke, but i tell
you what I'll do. Here's my gun. I'll
leave 1t in hook with you till l make a
raise. Is 1t q bargain?" The operator