The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-07-13

discordant, croak like sound. that
completely destroyed the melody.
The cowboys began to hiss, and
Jack Dates expressed his disfavor in
an audible crowl. The singer did not
heed them, but continued his dis
cordant, and, often, half inaudible
lightful melody in the world.
The cowboys yelled Their disalprov-
al ut tho top OF their voices, and one
or two fired OFT their pistols by way
OF protest.
The tenor ceased and one of the In.
dies began q song that was like the
sweet music OF q lark's liquid notes.
A wild shout OF applause arose from
the cowboys, aud Jack Bates stood
up and cast his bouquet upon tho
stage. The yellow haired man leaned
wearily against one of the supports
OF the impormptu scenery. Then as
his turn came again, lie broke into
the lady's happy song with his do!eful,
tuneless croak.
The cowboys gave a howl OF disgust
and wrath and half u dozen of them
started toward the stage, us if to
wreak summary vengeance upon the
miserable singer.
He ceased just as they reached tho
stage. Bending forward, he seized the
bouquet that Jack Bates had thrown
to the lady, and, without q word. the
yellow haired man disappeared from
the view OF tho audience. They heard
tho door OF the back entrance slam
behind him. Jack Bates, with q
shout OF wrath. dashed down the
ais!e and out INTO the darkness, fol.
lowed 10y the hall dozen irate COW.
boys and u few others.
a light was shining from the vine
clad window in the al" OF tho hotel
when the angry little crowd reached
it. The cowboys were for rushing in
to the hotel and severely ,lrubbins
the offrndin. singer, but Jack Bates
restrained chem.
"lIold on" he said. T4e's see what
the towards u dcin' first"
"14ike's not he's hidm' under the
bed," growlc,l one.
Jack Bates razcd through the in.
terlaccd vines IL moment and then
stepped back.
"What'S he mp to?" asked one.
'14ook for ycrsclt!" jack whispered.
One by one they pecred in through
the morning glory vines, and each
drew back without a word. Within
the room the yellow haired man was
knrrliny beside the bed, with his face
buried in his hands. His slight frame
WIS sha&in:, with sol,S.
The little, pinche,l face Of the baby
was white now. and the painful gasp
ing for breath had ceased. The baby
had died alone while the father was
away.
The little hands were folded across
the small bosom, and upon them lay
Jack Bates bouuct.
No sound came from the little mob
outside except once, when the j,n.lcs
on u cowboys spur clankel against !,
fellow, and there VAS - sound from
Ja k Bates like an II; suppressed sob.
a da.E figure came among them,
and whispered for the crowl to fol
low him. II w;ls the man who hnl
called the yellow haired tenor to the
performance.
"Boys," he said simply, "llis wife
died last mouth, lcavin, lin alone in
the world except for the baby. Last
week the child was stricken with fever,
and has grown worse ever since.
Hardly Il moment at II time has, the
baby been out OF his arms, for tho
the last few days and nights, and all
that time he has barely closed his eyes
for an instant in sleep. lie has missed
his meals to day, for fear his absence
would disturb the baby. The b4.by' $
dead, now. That's all, boys"
A few moments later an awkward
squad, consisting OF Jack Bates and
the cowboys. entered the room where
the yellow haired man knrlt by the
dead baby. Their hats were off and
their barred heads were bowed.
The man who had spoken outside
was with them.
"paul." he said, "herc are some
who wish to speak to you"
The yellow haired man rose to his
feet and confronted them without ~
word. Jack Bates cleared his throat
and began awk xnrdly:
"Parriner." said he. "yc:c's 70 lcetle
bundle we found in the road Just now.
Hit belongs to you an the dead
baby."
They turned and filled out into the
darkness.
The tcnor's comrade opened the
little packag. that Jack Bates had
placed on The bed When he old, soil
ed handkerchief was united there was
revealed u little heap Of money-sold.
silver and notes to n goodly amount
the gift OF jack Bates and the COW
boys.