Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-12-06
At The Sign Of the Black Eagle
BY KENRIDGE

beyond the L nnalee range, 10 enjoy q
glass of old Silas Baxter $ ten-year- Old
rye, and to empty many key of Pill
sener, which latter. coming from over
the sea or mayhap from Chicago
brewery. is designated by Silas as
'furrin," in order to distinguish it from
the "home BREW" as he calls the whis-
Ky of "ole Kaintuck."
The tavern, that is the Mecca to
which so many thirsty throats are
journeying is situated on that broad,
level belt of country which separates
the tallest peak OF these silvery, fir
covered mountains from The smaller
ones that slope down its western side.
Standing at the door of the Black
Eagle you have if you face northward.
an unobstructed view of the road for
many miles; to the south you can only
gaze as far as the immense rock which
marks the end of this road and the
winding path which leads to the valley
below.
A young girl is standing by the tav-
ern gate, watching anxiously the forms
that emerge from that turn beside the
rock. AT last all the ranchmen, min
ers, and stock hands for miles around
have taken their accustomed places Mt
tho rough oak tables that are scattered
throughout tho saloon. and with
glasses Of the healtlful pilSener or the
death dealing rye beside them, are
closely watch NO faro Layout" or
betting loudly and rcckIessly at a little
game of draw"
Outside, the darkness comes on
apace, and the young girl, unable any
longer to see the rock, walks slowly
in its direction.
just before she reaches the turn a
tall, 1.-the figure comes bounding up the
narrow path, and seeing who is so near
him clasps her in his arms.
''Oh, Joe! My own dear JOe!' she
cries, and laws her head on his shout
der and sobs softly for awhile.
'Dear-dear Helen" he murmers,
strok Do her fair hair with n touch that
is almost loverIike in its tenderness,
and which arouseS all kinds of unpleas-
ant Speculati0nS in the mind of Il person
who IS an unseen witness of the meet.
ing; chow very long ago it seems since
we've seen each other. You were only
l. - q, h,,N,,nnnl
What happened? o Joe. I've lived
al these years without knowing the
reason of your leaving home"
The young fellow colors angriIy.
We'll, you see" lie begins, 81 ran
away"
Yes, l know, lie told me that"
Did lie tell you why?" he asks al
most iorcely.
The girl shakes her head They are
sitting together at the base of the rock
and she keeps AN active watch upon tht
Tavern door.
Il ran away because l couldn't stand
hjs-wcli because | couldn't bear his
You wonder what that was? IL can
tell. 1t was nothing dshonorable--tC
ne. II was a discovery | made. that
ALL
lie stops abruptly, the angry ligh
les out of his eyes as they rest on TIT
form beside him. Now tell me abou
yourself, Nell. What have you beer
doing these last tive years? Are 20,
happl?'
Asudden trembling of the hands tina
are closely clasped in his furnishes thu
answer for which he hopes.
Yes. l am happy" she answers
Dear Joe. you will come and live will
me when | am married to Sam-th,
Sam Willoughby You used to think s,
much of. you know; and he has a bi!
ranch just beyond the last hill"
Sam WiIloughbyp OF course
, think lots of him." says Joe enthusi
astically, land | will come and liv
with YOU for awhile, and we'll all b.
happt ever after, as the fairy storie
say. I've some matters to settle be
tore | come back for good, but
couldn't resist the temptation of rid
ing over to see you for a moment. au'
that's the reason l sent old Ned witt
that letter. You were surprised t.
hear from me. weren't youP"
II nearly tainted with joy at tn
thought of seeing You SO soon. dea
Joe. I've been so lonely. Aud you +
going off again"
Ill have a debt to pay in Boxers
vile. and I'm going back to Rocl
Point for some money that is due me
With part of that money l shall pa
my debt, the rest I'll divide with you
Don't worry, Nell, I'll only be a da.
or two"
'And-who-do you owe the deb
to, Joe? she asks timidly.
"To my father. He was so angry
about that you know, he tainted me
with being burden. said I'd cost hin
so much. Very WE'LL l answered
I'll pay it back some day Then
ran away. That was five years ago
Now here l am with gold to pay III
debt Gold! Do you hear. Nell? An
plenty of it. tool"
He raises his voice joyfully. and 6
pair of sharp ears not so very ia
away catch the name of that magi
metal.
I'm so glad you are rich Joe,
says the girl YEARLY, ''for l am tire
of poverty. though we should not b
poor. Every man for miles aroun
comes regularly to the Black Eagle
and drinking costs something" sh
adds ma vely."
A great sob rises in the young man
throat at these pathetic words. but Ii
chokes il down. aud comforts her i
his own gentle way.
A couple of miners came swearin
ont of the tavern, and after quarrelin
at the gate finally go arm in arm in
most unsteady manner up the mort
road.
You'd better 60 now. Joe." 81