Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-12-23
IN THE MIDDLE WEST.
a Story of Life in the Great
Mississippi Valley.
BY ALVA MILTON KERR
UoPYnnuT. 1884 ny TIVE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER CoNPANY.1

BY ALVA MILTON KERR.
roPYnuHT. 1884 ny THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER CoNPANY.1
CHAPTER Iv.-.CoSrINuED.
But in moment Mrs. Whitney re-
turned and, with perceptible litter,
said; "Well, come in. You ought to
see him; you've come far enough, and
no mistake" And Absalom entered,
his face shining with gladness through
its coat of soil, and followed the lady
up the stairway to John Earnings
room. Entering that small apartment
he slid along the wall with his hands
working behind him until he reached
the bed, and looking a moment at the
pretty sleeper his eyes filled and he said:
''Gollyl he's growodln Mrs. Whitney
standing by the door bit her lip with
desire TO laugh, and when the boy
turned with sigh and came out, she
opened the door into an opposite
larger room and said: Here is an
other you ought to see.m And Absalom
going stealthily up TO the bedside said:
''He's purity, too; looks like his pap"
"Yes," said Mrs Whitney, n trihe
more soberly, ''he resembles his faith
er."
"How do you know how his father
looksP" she asked, as they descended
the stairs.
'sOh, seed him in Ohier," said tho
hf,x Il
rs they came into the sitting room.
Then he went out and sat down upon
the edge of the porch and was silent
After time Joel Whitney, accom-
panied by Ether Popp, came up the
street The girl was tittering at some
humorous chaff he was ridding himself
of, and when they came upon the
porch he suddenly stopped short and
booking down at the small combination
Of tatters and dust he burst out with:
''Sulphur and smokel what's this
you've got, MaryP" The woman sit
ling inside the door only gave low
laugh in reply. Then be stopped down
and looked at the boy, who turned his
bright eyes upon him soberly. "Whv.
it's alivev' said Joel. whats your
name, my lad?"
'Ab Heater NV Ohier."
(which wayP"
II iist come to see ther kid"
"How did you get here?"
Grid, fit and run"
''Fit? What did you fght?"
dogs and buffers"
Then Joel sat down in chair and
shook with laughter. Have you eaten
any thing latelyPn he asked.
''Yesser"
"WhenP"
yesterday"
yesterday? Mary, have You given
him any thing?" said Joel, little re-
proachfully.
.'Why, no." said Mrs. Whitney, Il
didn't think Of IT,"
''Come in here" said Whitney,
SOLDERING. '1f you haven't got the sand
none Of 'em has. What's the mat
teiP" he asked, noticing that the boy
limpcd.
''stun-bruises," said the laconic Alb
salon.
Then the man laughed again, look
ing at the ragged boy ycompassionately
Here, Ether" he said, "fiy round
and get him some good hot victuals.
Come out with me TO the pump and
waah yourself, my boy
When washing himself Absalom
said: what ails that grip"
"What girl?" said Whitney.
The one as you tole to git The
grub."
=, "why, not any thing, guess.
.'Her eyes is left-handcd on both
sides.
Then Joel went in with his generous
bulk shaking again. Presently the boy
was seated at the kitchen table, his
shock OF hair looking very wild, and
his sun-burned nose glistening from It's
late application Of soap and water.
His eyes followed Ether soberiy about
the room as he gulped down the food,
without seeming 10 chew Il much or
consider lis palatability. Joel came in
with twinkling eyes and sat down bg
the table. "Ilow long have YOU been
ON the wayP" he asked.
" Bout a month, guess
''Dld you have much troublc?"
"some;" then alter a moments sill
ence; 'Drat erln
"WhoP" said Joel, smiling.
"Oh, a woman when wus comm"
"What did she do TO you?"
''Sickcd 'cr sheep ontcr me. ~
You mean 3 dog, don't you?"
mo, II was a sheep. ] went IN a |
gard 10 AK woman who stood In the |
door 70 gimme somethin' ter cat, an |
sho said; SICK i'm, Tom. Sick i'm,
Tom! looked around fur the dog, |
but blamed II the dog want a sheep, |
am II come tearin' round the house an !
butted mo clean through the fence
inter the roadv'
Joel ronred and went into the other
room. Next morning no came up 10 4
the house with new straw hat and |
some other clothing for the lad.
''lou are not going 10 keep that boy |
around here, arc you, Jocl9 said Mrs
Whitney
"Yes, certainly" he answered
Her faco hung a little cloudy over
her sewing. Alter a moment she said, |
without looking mp; ''llaYe you any
moro prospective foundlngs?
Mons Up 70 date. ho laughed.
'sWhal viii his folks say. do you
'upposePt Sac Queried. Ia a complain
uQ tone
tOh. / viii write 10 them. l dare
AZ they arc poor, and Il he has a
rood homo here they viii be glad !
Then le went onl 10
Ind Aben|om, and ere long that
young person was whlsiling 1
'bodi lhe barn nhIs NOW apparel and
.tu oalco 81 ebore-bpy % tho e,tnb