Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-10-30

An tie purity little gal that's waitin' fer me-"
"Doggone my hide boys" Brandy
exclaimed. ''if L don't s'leeve- that's
old Ike"
1T do sound like HIS voice." Sam
replied; but l never heerd him sing
mono afore as long as he's been in this
ere camp"
"Reckon he rs we'll sing while he
KIN, Sam, fer If he Gomez on up here
which l take he's a-doin', no won't
never sing no more-leastwise, aot in
this yere world. Whut ye say, fell
lersp"
Reckon yer talkin' bout right, :"
some one replied, and the others nod
ded their approval.
In about half an hour Ike came in
sight. They knew he had been
drinking when they heard his voice in
song away down the gulch, and now,
as he came staggering up the path
scarcely able to keep on his feet, they
pronounced him pretty "full."
"How'r'y, fellersh." he said, "been
down ter zhe post havin' er good
timesh. Doggone fine plash down
there. Want me ter shing somethin'P
Doggone fine singer am. Lishen: -
"oh, the old old homesh l left behind,
An ther purity little gal that's waitin' fer me-"
Reckon she'll keep on err waitin' a
good while, old chap" Brandy said
"Yesh, reckon; but I'm goin' home
purity shoon, of nothin' don't happen. ="
"Theys monty strong prospect o.
somethin' happenin', though
THAT SOP Coin ter strike er pay
streak and git my FORUM, yer reckonp"
IL low there won't be much pay in
it, but yer goin' to strike streak an
git whut We desarve."
"Thanky. Git what desarve. Shay,
that's what want. Thanky. guess
I'll retire. feel sorter tired"
Old Ike turned and staggered away
to his cabin, humming tune as he
went.
Got TO let i'm sober up afore we
stretch 'im," Brandy remarked.
"In course" jerry Rogers replied
1T wouldn't nigh do to hang or Teller
in that fix. Guess he wouldn't know
what he was stretched fer nor nothin'
bout it. Have to let i'm sober up"
"Yas; an we'll tend to him the fust
thing in the mornin'."
While they were yet talking they
heard the rumble of vehicle down
the road as it rolled and bounced
along the rocky course.
Stage is COMM" Sam remarked.
"Wonder if we'll git any letters from
home, boysP" one said.
dunno, I'm Shore" Brandy re-
piled. II hain't heerd from my folks
fer morn year now"
"Me MOTHER" said Jerry; "but fer
that matter l hain't got no folks
worth mentionin'. Jest some uncles
and auRts and cousins and SIGH. an
they amt much to Teller, nohow."
mo, not like wife an children, {"
Brandy assented. 'T've got wife
and leetle gal back thar, an I'm
sorter beginnin' to want to see 'em.
The gals the purtiest little thing you
ever laid your eyes on, an was about
so high measuring with his HANDY
when / left. That's been six years,
an lowed she's growed up nigh to a
woman now"
These remarks touching the past
and the old home recalled to each of
the men train OF fond memories.
and for some time they smoked their
pipes in silence, each busy with
thoughts of the dear ones in the far
East.
Pretty soon the stage came in sight,
and hating before the saloon, the
driver threw off little nat mail-pouch
and dismounted. The men in the
meantime had lounged across, and
now stood around the stake.
"Got passenger fer you. boys" the
driver announced, as he clambered
down.
"Who is hep" some one asked-'a
tender-foot or an old-timerp"
1T amt old-timer, an it amt a he.
It's little GAL"
As he spoke the driver opened the
door and the passenger stepped out.
She was little mite of humanity,
scarcely turned into the teens, cheap
ly clothed, and as delicate as could be.
When she reached the ground she
stopped and glanced eagerly at the
row Of faces before her, and there was
a timid shyness in her look and man.
ner that told that she was afraid. Yet
every man had dotted his hat, and was
doing his best to show his respect.
The driver mounted into his seat,
and the old stage numbered away.
Then Brandy Smith, with his hat under
his arm. advanced step or two nearer
the child, and, speaking in as soft q
tone as he could command, asked:
"Air We lookin' fer somebody, sisp
YES SIR" she said. / am looking
for pap. Do you know himp They
said he was here, but don't see him. v
"Whut's yer pap's namep" Brandy
asked. I'VE mout tell you somethin'
bout him."
His names Samson"
"Whut! old Ike Samson!"
Yes, sir; only he's not old. Do you
know himp"
why, ya-as, we've seen i'm right
smart off an on. He ulster han 9
round yere good bit. P"
Then he's not here nowP" she
asked.
wal, he's not exactly right here,
but he mayn't be fur off, you know"
do you reckon you could find out
where he lisp"
why, dunno. We mout."
II want him so bad and wish yor
would ask about him and help to find
him."
What do you want NV imp"
Mothers sick down at the post
- L = 4