Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-01-05

stories about the Indians. and some
times I'd sec the. red creatures hiding
in the woods. trying to steal cow or
calf. Joseph always went armed. to
be ready for 'em.
1.-The winters were terribly cold
there. and l used to pity the squaws
and children that would come our
way, and they were always welcome to
a shelter in my house. and the men.
too. if they were peaceable, for hus-
band didn't believe in aggravating 'em.
"Well. the New Years Day of the
first twelve months we'd lived there,
Joseph went to the mill with load.
He couldn't get back that night, for
the wolves were thick in winter and
fierce with hunger, and I'd much
rather he'd stop over. Besides. travel
ing was hard and the wagon heavy.
II watched him drive of. feeling
down-hearted enough. After he'd
looked back and waved his hat, went
in with baby and had a good cry.
Then ! reasoned myself out of my
fears and did up my work a-singing
to the baby.
Il got the cows MIXED and fed, and
locked the barn; then, before shut
the door for tie night, took good
look around at the trees. 1t was get
ting dark, and there were queer
shadows in the woods, and felt more
scared than ever.
'.After the baby was asleep. it was
lonesome enough sitting there before
the fire, and the TALON candle seeming
to burn DINNER than usual. kept
thinking heard steps outside. and the
icy snow a-cracking, and sometimes l
shook with dread and fear.
..At last l got up. thinking it was
moonlight and I'd feel better if l
looked out the window. raised the
curtain, and. dear, oh, me! there was
an Indians face pressed close against
the pane.
..All painted hideous he was, with
red and blue. and terribly ugly being
to look at. He had eagle feathers on
his head and long gun. and was
rugged out for fighting.
Il thought should die; but didn't
scream. though 1 knew the door had no
other fastening than a bar of wood that
he could break.
In minute he came to the door,
pushing hard against it, and the bar
snapped like twig.
'.In he came. Over SIX feet high he
was, and seemed to me the biggest
man ever saw. He was wrapped III
blanket, and had clothes made of
skins on. He had the long gun and a
big knife with him.
Il caught up the baby and run be-
hind the bed. He took scarcely any
notice of me, however. but shut the
door, and went and warmed himself.
Then he hauled the quilt off the bed.
and fixed it over the window.
Il held my breath, wondering what
he meant to do.
1.-The baby, waking up. gave little
cry, and he turned and drew his knife
across his throat, meaning, l thought,
by theact. to kill the child.
Il hushed the little one to sleep
again, and he, dragging his blanket
before the fire. sat down all in heap.
granting. like pig, from comfort 1
crouched behind the bed and watched
him.
''Then he pointed to his mouth. to
tell me he was hungry. The victuals
were down in the cellar. and daren't
60 and leave him with the baby. But
he kept appointing and getting mad;
so. at last. l mustered courage, and
took the candle, and brought up
great milk-pan full of doughnuts, a
piece of pork and a jug of vinegar
that was all we had.
BLESS me. how the creature did eat!
Every dou~hnut went into him, then
the pork raw. and washing it down
with the vinegar, rs if it had been
sweeter than new cider.
"When he was through, he went to
the door, and listened awhile; then he
went back to the fire, and went to
sleep.
Il set behind the bed. trembling and
watching him. Just think, girls, how
you would have felt there alone with
that heather. that couldn't talk your
language. and that you couldn't say a
word to; and alone in the woods where
he could kill you. and no ore to help
you.
Il prayed tomyself, and. by and by.
crept over and got my Bible. and read
it After spell. l looked up. and
there he was. sitting and watching me
with kind of wondering awe on his
face.
Then he got up and listened at the
door again. Quick as flash. he blew
out the candle, and fattened the fire
with log.
Il wondered what he meant to do in
the dark, and l Rugged the baby closer.
and Il cried little and M. Turned and |