The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-07-27
SELECT STORY.
TIE STORY OF A woMAN's COT RAGE
Gil AFTER I.


City of Rocks at 5 o'clock. About that
hour man in flannel shirt dirty SOL
dier trousers tucked in his boots and a
slouch hat on the back of his bronzed,
beardt d, unkempt head, mater allied in
the obscurity of the doorway of the
station house, and shading his eyes
with his hand, looked down the road.
As he stood there cloud of dust be-
came visible in the distance. 1t foated
and wavered nearer and nearer, until
the creaking and jingling of dry wood,
leather and metal, and the pounding
of hoofs were heard. Then, as the
cloud approached the station, an ap-
partition of two horses and a stage
coach was seen within it. The cloud
stopped in front of the house, the dust
settled and the coach, coated inside
and out with the white powder, was
disclosed. The driver, looking like
miller, laid his whip on the roof and
prepared to descend. The station
keeper, who meanwhile had stepped
out in the road and silently commenc-
cd to unhook the traces, looked up for
the first time. The next momert he
dropped the trace with an exclamation
of wonder, while his hand slowly but
lnstinctively sought the revolver which
hung in belt loosely about his hips.
For few seconds he scrutinized the
face of the man who was swinging
himself down from the box and then
his look of surprise changed to one of
recognition, his hand relaxed its hold
on the pistol and he said heartily,
"Well, I'll be burned! Lieutenant, is
that you? Why, what's come of Jim?'
He was taken sick down by Shot
gun Creek, and had to lay off at the
milk ranch" said the man addressed,
taking off his hat and beating out the
dust against his leg. He was tall and
broad-shouldered, but slender, and was
dressed in the same manner as the sta
tion keeper, even to the revolver which
hung about his hips. His voice and
bearing, however, the only character.
istlcs unaffected by the dust, betrayed
difference between them.
at leaves me in purity fix" said
the hostler. 'tFrank's out after stock,
and there's no one yere but me. Who's
| goin' to take the stage on?"
"Ill take it on as far as Pack City,
if you likc," said the lieutenant. "The
old man will find someone there to
take Jim's place easy enough
The st ton keeper, without reply
ing, mechanically resumed his duties
of taking out the horses, and watched
them meditatively as they walked
slowly off to the stables. Then finally
turning to the lieutenant, with the air
of one whose mind is made up, he
said: "By thunder, l guess that's the
only thing We kin do. l can't leave
here. Wouldn't have head of stock
left by the time l got back. Them
damned 1njuns is gittin' worse and
worse. not to mention the hoss thieves
and road agents that's gittin' thicker'n
fleas on dogs back. It's sort O
crowdin' you, though, lieutenant, and l
don't know what the old man'll say.
/ "He won't say thank you, at any
rate" said the lieutenant
"You kin gamble on that" said the
hostler, approvinely. "Who's this
Johnny come lately?' he added, as a
passenger from the inside of the stage
strolled toward them.
"Jim said he was stockman," said
the lieutenant; she's billed for Pack
City"
"Jim," growled the hostler, con
temptuously. "Jim's a stranger HIM
self in these parts. How should hi
know
| And when the traveller, an elderly
man, Joined them with a sociable re
mark that cit was pretty tol'abl,
warm" the hostler vented his scorn TO
Jim by ignoring him altogether, an,
continuing his talk with the heutenan
about waybills, EXPIRE IS. mail and othe
stsge matters. But the passenger ap
, pearing in nowise affected by this lacl
; of cordiality held his ground, and i
he did not join in the conversation
listened to it so persistently that tn
hostler finally turned to him and said
; rather sarcastically, stranger, is ther
anything 1 can do for you?"
"Well, no, pard," replied the trave
er good humoredly, "there's nothil
yer kin do fer me, but l reckon yo
kin do somethin' fer that lady inside
she's petered plumb out, and the kid
yelling like all possessed"
AT this the amateur driver opene
the stage door and looked in. Ther
was the usual litter of mail bags an
small bundles, and smell of dust an
leather. Addre sing the woman, VIII
in long linen duster and with a We
over her face, reclined Imply in OF
corner, half holding a crying bah,
the lieutenant said, Supper station
madam"
This announcement producing n
reply, he repeated it in a louder ton
8 The only result was an added force I
= the baby's cries.
81 reckon she's tainted" said IL
other passenger, appearing at his elbo
with cup of water; ''try this yere."
The lieutenant got inside, followe
by the old man, to whom he uncer
moniously handed the baby. Takiu
= out his pocket-fask, he mixed lit
| whisky and water, and pushing Il
veil up from the unconscious moutl
he succeeded in partially reviving Il
] exhausted woman. Nov, them"
said, in an authoritative tone, "yC
@ must come outside IN the open air ar
wash your face and hands; that W
brace you up quicker than anythin
Then, when you have had some Dime
you will be all right. We hayer
much time," he added.
The woman obediently arose, b
cramped and worn out by the lor
# days ride, hal to be assisted to Il
ground. She succeeded in waikiki
over to the water trough, and, sittil
down on its edge, silently took h
:, baby. The lieutenant brought her
J basin and towel, and left her to
ID toilet. Presently he returned and sal
"Supper is ready"
"Thank you, don't want any su
per-" was the reply.
As he heard her speak for the fiji
time the Lieutenant looked at t
y shrouded form in surprise. The vol
was low and trained, the voice of