The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-10-29
NOT PLAYING POSTUM.
The Brave Act of Scout in the
Oil REGIONS.

Oil Regions.
Below us the brook, swollen by tho
recent rain, rushed turgidly through
the narrow valley and swept in long
muddy curve around the distant benc
in the road. The oil scout felt like
talking, and was anxious to hear him
Out of the sun, then, and supine in the
soft pine shadows we lay, while he told
me the story of the ruined "mystery'
over in the ravine.
When all this region roundabout was
as wild as that hillside, save that the
larch and fir and white pine were then
free to grow to their stateliest height
when the deer came fearless to drink
from the brook, and the snake seldom
sounded its warning rattle-that is tc
say, only three years ago-the gnarled
old oak that stands there in the clear
ing, whose broad branches had shell
tered tho human form divine in the
person OF the savage Indian, fluttered
its leaves in surprise one day over the
venturesome head of the first oil scout
to traverse these forsaken paths.
A New Highlander, young and sup.
pie, with all the cunning and courage
of a Yankee, he had been singled out
by those whose interest it was 10 know
the latest operations in the new terrific
ny to watch and report the develop
ments at the mystery" then sinking
in the ravine beyond. He was fond
OF such adventures for the excite.
ments sake; he received fixed wage,
and was not prompted, therefore, to
engage i'll his work by avarice or ma
leyolence. And as he reclined in the
grateful shade of The oak, painting
from the eXertion of scaling the steep
hill, that sturdy old tree, unbendino
presently from its first surprise, fell to
tanning him with its long, rustlino
arms, and the birds overhead warbled
tuneful greeting.
1t was ore of the early days of
spring, and as every thing about him
seemed overcome by the influence OF
the ilGol3nt air so the scout, forgetful
OF duty, lay outstretched beneath the
oak dreaming of the stately elms of
New Haven. When he awoke it was
with the hot rays of the sun burning
his upturned face, while the lazy wind
was wrenching admonitory creaks
from the robust branches of tho tree,
and leaning against its trunk stood a
small child gazing compassionately
upon him through violet eyes.
"Oh. you're not dead, are youp"
she cried, clasping her hands and her
little bosom palpitating.
"No, indeed, DON look alive?'
You do now, but you didn't when
you was so quiet"
This child was wonderfully inter
osting thing to the scout He hadn't
talked to one for year.
Glow did you know 1 wasn't play
ing 'possum?"
81 never played that What is itp''
He laughed and she chimed in like a
silver bel, the sweetest sound the scout
had heard in a long time.
why, to play you're asleep when
you aren't" She smiled as though she
didn't understand, and came and sat
down by his side.
How could you play that all alonep
You didn't know was here, did you?'
The quaint conceit amused them
both, and they laughed together again,
looking frankly into each others faces.
"Tell me your name" he urged,
taking one Of her small hands into his
large brown one, and handling it as
tcnderly as he would delicate piece
of lace.
my names Daisy; and 1 live with
mamma and papa over there"
He dropped the hand and looked al
her eagerly. 'Do you know papap /
thought you didn't. No one ever
comes to see us; papa won't let any
body, and mamma is awful afraid. |
had little brother once, but he died
last month, and Pm all alone now,
and mamma cries whenever talk about
OSSie, so papa won't let nue. do it any
more. But come here every day and
play and think of Ossie, and oh! / oct
awful lonely sometimes playin' alone y
"Why do you come here Daisy?"
'Why, don't you know? Ossie's bur.
ricd here. You had your head on his
grave.
Now the scout made q sudden and
very peculiar resolve. Perhaps he
was married; anyway he must have
been remarkably soft-hearted for s
scout He sliced Daisy in his arms
and covered her pretty brown face
with kisses. Then he said very
solemnly:
daisy, goodbye. Some day I may
come and see you again, but now
must hurry away. Only Daisy, if youl
father gets happy soon-that is,
mean. if he"--
"Srikes oil, do you mean?" asked
she, precociously.
Yes" laughed the scout, kissing
her again and again, until she wriggled
away; Eyes, Daisy, if your father
strikes oil and seems very glad about
it YOU tell him that you saved him
from scout, will YOU? But mind,
little one, don't say any thing until
But at this instant, when little
Daisys violet eyes were wide open
with wonder and the enthusiastic scout
was preparing to take parting kiss
from her cherry lips two men came
from behind the great oak and as one
snatched Daisy screaming to his breast,
The other. pointing pistol at the head
OF the scout, said, stcrnly:
al could shoot YOU If wished, but
I've no fondnesS for homicide. I ad-
v'sc You, however. to follow that man
an'i my daughter without resistance. y
And then in this Indian file, Daisy
in front turainm now and then her
Sorr"wiu eyes arouaI to meet the