Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-12-16
IN THE MIDDLE WEST.
a Story of Life in the Great
Mississippi Valley.
BY ALvA MILTON KERR.
tcorrEIGHT, 1886, ny THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER COMPANY.l
CHAPTER iII.-CoxrrNurn

CHAPTER 1II.-CoNrrNurn
Did ono ilaxen hair upon the little
prattlcr's head in any manner come to
harm through him, no amount Of
mental castigation could seemingly
cffacc the fault. One afternoon in late
October, upon the occasion of one Of
these cyclonic visits, from his convolu-
tons on the applc-bough he suddenly
dropped to earth, and turning to the
hoary whittier said, with a sort of
painting shout: "He's nailed um upr'
Nailed what up?" slowly growled
the impcrturbablc Jade.
"Nailcd up the windersr calculated
the lad IS he seized the bough, aud
whiriing himself in n circle over IL
came down upon the ground again.
You mean the winders OF Earnings
houseP" qucried Jade.
Tho samei" shouted Absalom as
he went over the bough again.
do you hear that, motherP" said
Jade, ccasing to whittle and looking
toward the door
Hear whatPn said Grandam Eric,
coming forward with her knitting in
her hands.
''Why. Ivyl Snaer has had the win
ders OF Earrings house boarded up"
said Jade.
"What for?" said the knitter, looking
over her spectacles at Absalom.
''Dunnor replied that worthy from
where he hung full-length from the
bougb bg his stoes, guess he don't want
nobody to live there nor orhimselfnutier.
Then dropping to the ground be righted
himself and sped away across the
meadows to his home.
"That's curus," ," muttered Jade, COM
menciag 70 whittle, while Grandam
Eric, picking up the child, went in to
solve the puzzle through the mild al
cmbic vf her pipe.
Next day the restless Absalom, hat
in hand, came racing across the mead
ows again. and racing three times
round the house, obviously TO soothe
his excited nerves, swoOpcd in at the
door. They've comet he snorted.
Tho onset was so sudden, and the
news of such n seemingly startling
character. that Grandam Eric and
old Jade sprang TO their feet together
aud snorted back: "Whoi" leaving
their mouths hang open after the word
had been shot forward
"They rs owns the kidr' quavered
Absalom, looking at the child, and
drawing his hand across his eyes at the
evident hazard Of iujuring the perpetu-
nl hurt upon his nose. 'sThey ms owns
the kid is comet he quayered again.
Then seemingly unable to bear the
thought of possible separation from
the child through this event, he sud
denly turned aud rushed out aud up
and down the garden paths, and whiri-
ing himself over the apple-bough, raced
OF across the meadows, nor saw the
larks and insects that flew before him
fer the tears that filled his eyes.
After he had gone old Jade lifted his
eyes TO Nora's face, and seeing her
trembling lip. took down his sharp and
wcll-scourcd hoe from its resling-hooks
above tl'e kitchen door, and went
out into the garden with his chin
sunken deep in his beard.
That afternoon the old gardener
came into the house with u weak sort
Of step and said to Grandam Erie,
much as If a hesrse were passing by;
They re comin'ri and the two sat
down with sinking hearts. Presently
1yyl Snaer's two-scaied buggy, drawn
II the little Eric lane. and turning
At its foot drew up at the gate.
Two persons were In the car
riage other than Iyyl Snaer.
Evidently they were husband and
wife, the husband being n large
well-fOrmcd man with keen blue eyes, a
squars pleasant face, and a singularly
white and well-tilled skin. The wife
had evidently the finer taste in dress,
but was slightly short in stature, a lit
t.c iiai Of face, with dark bead-like
eyes, and a general air Of knowing
what was going forward. The three
alighted and preceded by the
tmiling Joyl entered the house.
With much trembling and trep-
idation the aged pair arose
20 greet them, and with great oiliness
OF speech the urbanc Joyl presented
them. Bowing In soft curve from |
head to foot, with his hat held little |
from him In his left hand and his right |
extended IN an Gyen line. he purred |
With melting smile; "Mr. and Mrs. |
Eric, do me the honor to accept the
acquaintance OF Mr.. and Mrs. Whitney. |
Mr.. and Mrs. Whitney, Mr.. and Mrs. |
Erric. Mr.. Joel Whitney, of Illinois,
hAf' Efilr. II the late lamentcd John |
Earrings half brother. and therefore
entitled 10 your confidence and pre-
tunle, II II meets his pleasure, 10 the
custody Of the child"
Having delivered himself Of this,
Joyl Snacr. without looking at the
child or indeed much at any thing,
Withdrew. murmuring as he went
something about his horses not stand
ing quietly. and Mr.. Whitney advanc-
ing shook hands in a hearty business
like manner with the aged couple,
and Mrs. Whitney followed, though
With touch OF Stiffness After
All were seated Mr. Whitney
turning slightly noticed tho child
leaning against old Nora's knee,
aud burst out cslecrily; "Is this tho
lltilo manP Wen. well, how do you do
Mr. kafingPn and held out his hand.
The child regarded him moment
wondnflnglf. then clamhered into
CrnrAam Eilic's lap and pushed him
B n NehflY nealpel her. AT this the
tenil0mnn laughed and said; "Xou
1nn'I loto folIr enemies. DO youf or