The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-30
FROM OUT THE PINES.

The doctors have just SAID that thero ID
no hope for me; that may die tomorrow;
perhaps. indeed, tonight. But they did
not tell me that Had they done so
could have told them better; but they did
not They went out softly to the other
room, shutting the door, lest should
hear them whisper it to Minnie-my
niece Minnie-who takes care Of Inc, and
who cried. yes, absolutely cried. when
they had gone away. g,
They shut tho door, say, but ali, l
lauphcd at that Little DO these doctors
know how keen grows the eye, how sharp
the ear. how eager the dull mind and clear
the lrain, as one draws near the 9hore
and feels the breeze from oil the Lake OF
Death tanning the sunhen cheeks. Some
times while living here have heard the
neigbbors in the room beyond talking
about nv chances in the battle with the
"sbadow grim" and wondering and plan
ming what had best be done after all was
over with mo; and ] have been tempted
10 call out that | heard them, and tell
hem 10 be gone but then, why should Il
they are good neighbors. as neighbors 90.
and they have been very kind to Minnie,
them at all only it used TO worry mo
littlc--but that is over now.
But so heacd the doctors, as they told
Minnie this morning; and afterward, wheh
she came into my room. pretended not
TO see the pretty eyes all red ana weighed
with tears. or hear the tremor III the
sweet, young voice. | merely asked ior
pen and paper, and to be alone while
She brought me these, drew up the little
table within reach, and went out. l
was left alone-yet not alone, for the
shirt Of the dead woman is here beside
me now, giving me fcverish strength
to write the words that may at last bring
peace 10 her soul and mine.
ON al old man now, yet, how clear IL
seems before my eyes-clcarer than this
memory Of yesterday-that bright, sun.
shiny morning long years ago, when
TONED hands and fortune with three other
men TALL now are dead but me, and | am
dyingl But then, all then, we were 50
Young and brave and strong and full OF
boyish dreams Of wealth and love, and
manhoods happiness
We were out locating mining claims
among the Rocky mountains, and for two
wild weeks we worked Oh side by side,
scanning anXiously the sands that ran
beneath our feet for signs Of the gleam'
ING yellow dust But SO far all in vain.
One day it came my turn to hunt the
game for camp, and in the clear, bright
morning | started Off whistling light
ballad snatches as | went; for, all, how
could see. with my duller eyes, the
wee. small clou1" then gathering in the
westl
The game was hard to track. and led
me farther and farther up hills and down
glens, so that when turned my face to-
ward camp the night was falling around
me. and with it came the conviction that
/ had lost my way. But what OF that:
was young and fearless, and night
spent in that far canyon with the white
stars for my candles and the wind sough-
ing through the dark rock pines above
me. would be filled with pleasant dreams,
not idlo fears So stood still and look
ing about me for the safest spot on which
to set stakes, | saw just little be
fore TIC, IN the glen below. small
clearing, and beyond a clump OF trees.
l made Up my mind 10 90 to this
clearing, and had just started, when
suddenly shrill, piercing scream rang
out on the quiet air seeming to come from
the shadow of the trees beyond, and echo
ing down the long ravine like the cry of
lost soul Again it came, as ! stood
there, for at first ! hestated at going to-
ward it. fearing a panther trap Then
once again it rose, shivering through the
darkness. "Ob. help, help, for the pity Of
God"
Then ! knew what it meant. No pan
ther cries like that. Swinging myself
down from ledge 10 ledge, | was soon on
the little clearing then on into the gloom
Of the pine tree cluster, led by the cries
that had now sunk into pitiful sobs and
means.
Just beyond the edge of the woods,
through the trees, saw ray Of light,
and tracking it, soon came up to "a miser
able old shanty-a miners hut. Within
this shanty were the sobs, as of young
girl; and every sob was accompanied by a
curse and the duh swish Of some heavy
fell upon the Gmverish flesh, One
moment paused the next | had burst
open the miserable door and stood gazing
OH a picture that has haunted me through
all my life. Here, In the low, unfinished
room, I'LL Dy all ola lantern tilat hung suS-
pended from beam across the center of
the roof, stood an old gray haired gray
bearded man Man, did l sayY Nay,
rather devil, fiend in flesh and blood!
There he stood with u long cattle whip
uplifted for another blow, and ut his feet
lny a young girl. scarcely more than 3
child. With her long. black hair all tan,
gled about her face and matted with blood
upon her breast. Blood was upon her
face, her dress. her feet and on the floor.
All, what sight it wasl
One glance, and had caught the old
fond by tho throat, and flung him sense
less on the floor beyond. Then l took
the poor little lassie in my arms. brushed
back the matted curls from her white
face, and gave her whisky from my
hunting flask. She soon revived and stood
up before me. Drawing the tattered
frock across her bruised and bleeding