The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-08-26

fling cause, began to curse she raised her
small hand and said:
''Ye mustn't cuss. Tain't perlite when la
dies is about, an hits wicked, too
When we made camp that night Broncho
Berthe ate her supper in silence, and when
one of the boys spread some blankets and
toldssher it was to be her bed for the night
she thanked him grayely. and folding her
hands, knelt down and prayed. l noticed
that the eyes of several of the boys We're
moist when she finished, and when she walk
ed arOuud the circle and lifted up her dim
pied mouth to each bearded face 10 be kissed
she received a succession of convulsive hugs
that must have bruised her frail body. The
entire company held a consultation over the
matter the night we reached our permanent
camp, and il was formally decided to adopt
this brown waif as 1.-The child of Company
i. When BERTHE was informed OF our
action by committee delegated for the pur-
pose she nodded her head and made answer
in her quaint fashion:
II like We boys, an hits a CO."
The best tent was fitted up for her esnecial
use, and if man had gone 10 the post and
not brought back a present for ''The Bron-
cho" his life would have been placed in
jeopardy. She exerted a wonderful infiu-
ence over these rough men, and there was
not one in the company that would not
have laid down their life for her. Reckless
(.
The Broncho" was always in his company.
She loved him, and would sit for hours in
his strong arms listening to the stories that
fell from his lips, occasionally commenting
in her old-fashioned way. Never was prin-
cess draped ont more gorgeously with rib
bons and fine dresses than Broncho BERTHE
Once when she was sick a man killed his
horse riding for the post surgeon. and the
men tip-toed their way about camp lest The
BrOnchO" should be disturbed Mad Milton
taught her 10 read and spell, and the Cap
tain brought her the gentlest pony that
could be bought for money.
One day, no member of the Company f.
will ever forget it Reckless jeff and Mad
Milton went TO the post, and came back to
carp upder the influence of liquor. We had
i7r' nished a shooting match when they
i''t ia, and both men laughed at our marks
maLship.
See here, boys" cried JEFF, pulling out
his siX-shooter, IN show you what shooting
is Bronchol"
The little maiden stepped forward, and he
whispering something in her ear handed her
an ordinary bottle cork. She ran TO tree
ab out twenty PAGES distant, and facing Us,
set the cork on top of her curly head, and
folded her arms. JEFF cooked his six-shooter
and slowly raised it.
Don't jeff" We cried in chorus, for be
lurched unsteadily.
Two OF the men started forward to prevent
the rash act but they were too late. JEFF :
eye ran along the barrel of his revolver, his
finger pressed the trigger, and as the report
rang out, Broncho Rertie threw up both her
arms and staggered toward him.
My Godli he cried. and ran toward her.
The blood was streaming from her head
and she was reeling olindly, but when he
caught her in his arms she smiled family
and gasped:
''YOu-did nt-mean t0-Jeff-good-''
Her curly head dropped and she was dead
He laid the body down and stood for mo-
ment regarding the loved form. Then,
starting SUDDENLY, he lifted his still smoking
six-shooter 10 his temple, pulled the trigger,
and his soul joined hers in the Unknown.
i took solemn oath over that grave
never TO touch liquor again, said Mad Mil
ton, when we talked of the dead, and I've
kept it,