The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-10

as it was bedtime an didn't know what to do
/ slipped out an hunted for Steve. Then /
went up stairs. thinkin' mebbe he'd gone around
the house to the front door. But he hadn't. an
the boys said they hadn't saw nim. So had to
say before lay down, i guess Steve Amt in the
house.
"'Let him stay out Shsn.' said the Squire.
angry as ever He hadn't spoke to me all the
evenin' since the fuss. I'll let him know I'm
boss here
II didn't sleep much that night an thought
well, Sally Humphrey was a happier woman
than Mrs. Squire HIllyer. I reckon, but Mrs.
morning till breakfast was called. Then little
Tom asked for Steve, i reckon he's asleep 10
the barn. said pap; go tell him to come In;
he's acted the fool long enough. The boy went,
Steve see 'Squires face change color. But
he sat down to the table without word, an We
was about half through breakfast when there
was knock at the back door. Barbry opened
he said good mornin' That horse bought of
yer yesterday is missin,' an thought mebbs I'd
find him here He either got out Of the stable
or was taken out
said. Pap, Selm amt here. Mebby Stoves
gone after him.
"'Whos Stevep said the stranger He is
my son, answered pap. quickly. You shall
have our help. sir. in getting your horse Set
down an eat a bite while look about a Bit
The stranger sat down an Bsrbry poured his
coffee. while followed the Squire out AS soon
the door closed behind rs he grabbed my arm.
Where's that boyf he whispered savagely. L
don't know, said, fer didn't He looked at
me. His face turned most the color of ashes.
oh. Godp he cried. then he hurried toward the
stable.
al was kind o. stunned fer awhile. I saw he
thought Steve had gone an got the horse an
Steve was not that kind of boy. ThestranRer
came out an pretty soon he an the Squire rode
of. went in to Barbry. She was tryin to eat
with tears runnin' down her face.
.Barbry,' said /. where kin Steve bel Your
pap's nearly crazy fer fear he has stolen Selim
and gone off, Barbry's face famed up. 'S;eve's
no thief she said wherever he is An /
couldn't get another word out Of her. II was
an awful long. hot day. an we had big ironin'
to do. Barory worked hard all morain'. but
after dinner she got real sick, an / made her 60
out a. doors and set in the shade After while
heerd her call me, an goin' out see Phil
Thomas talkin' to her.
Ma, she called out. soon she see me.
Phil says Stoves at their house, an has been
all night. thoughs he'd 20 there or to Em'y's.'
is he comm homer / asked Phil He shook
his head Emily is at our house now he said.
an think he'll 60 home with her. He is pretty
badly hurt from fall, he says, an is somewbat
lame. but he'll get along went in to my IRON
in. feelin' thankful. an left the youngsters to
themselves. Bless EN-. they made pretty
pair.
was gone Barbry come IN to help about supper.
Il wish pap'd come she KEEP saving; 4 wart
him to know Steve is no thief Presently she
ran out on the back porch and stood lookin'
down the road, an heerd the cattsrin' OF .
horse. an run out jist in time TO soc Barbry GO
like n fash ont of the back gate towards the
stable 1t was all over in q minute | see the
horse rare ND as she flung the open door 20. /
see her pap hangin' With one foot ia the stirrup,
his head dragein,. thoe4-h one hand still held the
bride; and got to mir mellow jist as he got
his foot losse. an hell pin up. an there lay
Barbry white an still. asr pap let 60 the
horse an stopped down. 'Barbry! he said.
She never moved. She's dead l said: what
done It'll Oh. Barbry. my precious!
What hurt youi BE sullt he said. sharply;
shes not dead Help get her in the house.
We lifted her mp an she opened her eyes Phil
she whispered. family. tell pap Stsve's-
then her voice ceased an her sweet eyes shut
again We got her the bed. an ! got the
campfire, an pap rung the big bell for the hands.
an coon IS they come in cent one for the doctor.
great ugly bruise right between her pretty
white shouldera A little stream of blood begun
TO triekle out of her mouth. Send over TO
Thomass.' said, for Phil an Steve an Emily.
He thought Id lost my senses know. They're
there said. Phil was here In spite Of his
the name Barbry's eyes opened again. Never
mind pap he don't--he don't mean il. Steveyv
she mustered. i know its hard. but guess he
likes us children Co. said, send fer EN-. >
He went out. with that queer. gray color creep
in over his face that see in the morniu. An
pretty soon heerd the horse galtpin' OF. Then
be came back Well. we done ali We could. The
doctor came. an Phil. an Steve, an Emily and
her man. But she never spoke but once after
they came She murmnrsd then broksply. All
We could make out was. Psp-Stsvs never