Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-09-10

- nis morse and ran by his side up the
incline, keeping the animal in a trot
Out reaching the top with his steed
,nacn less exhausted than if he had
porhe the weight of his rider. Then
mounting again he dashed on across the
next valley, race of a mile and a half
with the speed of the wind. AGAIN
springlng to the ground as the sleeper
portion OF the next hill was reached. for
Ae knew that an animal unused 10 lono
meats at his best PAGES will make better
Iiiie IL relieved of the riders weight for
q lew moments occasionally in making
steep ascents. S
:, ana SO he reached the little town at
tne Landing with his animal covered
With foam, but still able to keen a sbarn
run. - ''-,'-' +
Inc appearance of horse and rider as
tney passed through the one main street
"hicn she town could boast of drew
everybody to their doors, and when thew
saw him spring to the ground in front
OF the doctors office, dozen persons
gathered about to learn the cause of his
basty ride. '''
As they heard him tell the doctor of
the accident to Johnny, and beg that he
would hasten with all possible speed.
and that he would loan him a fresh
horse so he might return with him,
making certain that he did not miss the
way, there We're expressions of sympa-
thy and offers of the loan of horses for
both, II the doctors were not fresh.
They also offered to carry the sad news
to Mrs. Parsons that she might hasten
to the side of her injured child
''Ef you would, men, you'd be dom
me mighty great favor" he said, in
reply to their kindly offers. Tell her
and Rastus to hitch the ponies to the
spring wagon and come at once. Tell
'em to follow the Gravel Hill road till
they come to the limestone bluffs-'Ras-
tus IL know where 1 mean-and then
turn to the left, an it the first shanty
they come to-
Then mounting the animal which had
been led out to him. he dashed away,
the doctor keeping by his side, his case
of instruments in his saddle bags hang
ing upon his saddle.
When the party who had volunteered
to notify Mrs. Parsons of the accident
reached the cottage it was already get
ting dark, and a lamp was burning in
the dining-room, where supper was
spread and the family waited the coming
of the absent ones, now momentarily ex-
pected.
Hearing the clatter of horses feet
on the hard road. Mrs. Parsons went to
the door Just as the rider sprang from
his saddle, and throwing the bride
rein over the hitching post, advanced
up the gravel walk.
In few words he told his Grand
can accident had happened; the
horses, taking fright. had thrown John
ny and his father out of the buggy. Mr..
Parsons had escaped unhurt, but John
ny's arm was broken and he was lying
in shanty near where the accident oc-
Cured, and to which Mr.. Parsons had
returned with the doctor, while the
speaker came to tell Mrs. Parsons, that
she might go to her child at once"
Martha Parsons neither screamed nor
tainted. She called Erastus and babe
him bring the ronies and spring wagon
while she hurried to get together linen
for bandages, and such other articles as
might be most needed.
When Erastus drove up to the gate
she called to him to come in and get a
couple of feather beds and some cover
ing and put them in the wagon, for she
knew that settlers in the mountains
were not always supplied with super
abundance of bedding. And, besides,
if johnny was not too badly hurt-and
the man WAC brought the news of the
accident had conveyed the impression
that broken arm was the extent of the
iniury-he could be laid on the bed and
brought home in the spring wagon at
once.
Driving at night over billy road is
not the most rapid way OF transit, but
the ponies were urged forward with as
much speed as possible, considering the
darkness. and just at midnight were
halted at the door of Mr.. Jones' shanty.
The inmates had heard them coming
and MIR. Parsons was standing at the
gate waiting for them.
I'm mortal glad you're come,
mother he said, as he lifted his wife
from the wagon. ''Johnny's pretty
bad hurt the doctor says, but he S set
his arm and the lads sleepin' little
now.
The folks here are es kind es kin be,
and everything has been done that kin
be done to make him comfortable, but
the doctor SAYS he can't be moved for
several DAYS, an may be weeks, and |
reckon 'Rastus had better 60 back an
write to one of the girls to come home
at once, for l know you won't leave
johnny, an there ought to be some one
TO home to see to things"
Mrs. Parsons was unwilling to have
che GIRLS leave school in the middle of
the term if it could be avoided, and she
suggested that they wait few days.
IL might be that Johnny could be
moved sooner than the doctor thought.
At anv rate they had better wait little
and see; especially as Erastus ex-
pressed willingness to get on as well
as he could without cook and house
keeper for time. if thought best
And so he returned home, leaving
both Mr.. and Mrs. Parsons at the
shanty with the injured boy.
The next morning MIR. Parsons went
10 the Landing, riding the horse which
he had left at the shanty the day before
when he went for the doctor, and lead
inc the borrowed one, which he re-
tnrned to its owner Then taking his
own. he rode to his own home. Here he
remained but a few hours and was
AGAIN on his way to the shanty among
Hbe hills to resume his watch by the
bedside of his child.
The doctor came again tho next day,
and every day for many days and
weeks; for Johnny was not moved from
fhe shantv, whose inmates had shown so
much hospitality, for three long months;
and when at last he was taken home
his parents knew that he would never
acain be the healthy. rollicksome boy
he had been. going evervwhere about
Hhe house and ranch, and carrying sun
= l.. L.. lint