West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-12-26
INDIAN JULIUS.
BY RUTH RANSOM.

us this Pembroke's Tavern2n said the
tallest and largest of the little group OF
horsemen collected at my door.
was not in the least startled or sur.
prised. Ques'ions like this were an ordi.
nary part of my everyday existence. Oul
httlc cabin was the largest of any in the
neighborhood-nor was it in any degree
palatial at that-and it stood lust at the
fork of the roads, where it was the most
natural thing in the world that a 'stav.
ern' should be located.
Matthew had chosen this particular
spot because of a clear little spring hat
dubbed up in the woods close at the
rear, and a knot of magnificent madrona
trees, which flung their shadow over our
roof-tree.
"A neat little picket-fence, as yet guilt
less Of paint, i%nclosed our small domain
and the cinnamon r~ose-bushes | had
planted were in bloom for the first time.
sweet reminders of the Eastern home we
had left behind us, three years ago.
L sat in the doorway, pulling wild
as the three men rode up,
and answered composedly:
mo, 1T isn't a.tavern at ALL"
"Mr. Pembroke lives here. don't he? %
the man somewhat sharply demanded.
"Yes; but it is n private house"
Couldn't you give me and my men
some dinner, madam"
mot to-day said /. s~uccinctlv
''My girl has gone away, and Mr.. Penn
broke is not at home. | am not prepared
for visitors"
The men exchanged disconnected
glances.
"Then, - said another, eve must keen
on to Grill Station. Is it much further?''
mime miles, " SAID l..
rs it a good road?"
eyes, nearly all the way"
AS | watched them ride away. I OBJ
served, with some surprise, that Indian
julius, a good for-nothing redskin in the
neighborhood, was riding an extra horse
In the rear, with a dirty blanket twisted
around his lank form. No one knew the
neighborhood better than Indian Julius.
and a vague wonder crossed nv mind
that, with such a guide, they should find
IL necessary to ask any questions of me.
i knew, however, that julius was sub
Ject to fits of sullen silence, sometimes
lasting for days together, during which
1t was impossible to get a word-good.
bad or indifferent-out Of him. He was
a well known vagabond and skulkcr in
the neighborhood, and had a wife
"Old Cleo"-whOse reputation was even
more shady than his own.
But he had whitfield out MANY a will
low whistle for our little boy. and
brought nests Of birds eggs to the baby,
and somehow had a soft spot in my
heart for Julius, in spite of his numerous
b~ackslidings and shortcomings.
Never let that old rascal cross the
threshold again said Matthew to me.
after losing his best white Brahma rooster
once, and learning that julius and Cleo
had had a chicken stew at their shantv
on the evening Of the same day. ..Bask.
cts, indeed! And r~e-caning chair bot.
toms. The man ought TO be in the pcni-
tentiaryl'
So that / was surprised, and not mar.
ticularly pleased, in about two hours
time, to see Julius come shutting back
ON foot, with the end Of his blanket trail
ing abjectly in the dust. lie paused at
the gateway.
pretty flowers, " said he, staring at
the cluster Of pink cinnamon roses.
Nice for little pappoose ~
took no notice. Dinner was Just ON
the table-a savory rabbit fricasscc. with
q strawberry pie. and baked potatoc.
bursting out Of their jackets. I was set.
ting little Mat ON bis HIGH chair. and
tying a bib around his plump neck, pre-.
paratory to the meal.
Rabbit smells good, said the Indian.
smiling the air.. cold julius hungry.
IIe had no breakfast
Little Mat looked ~imploriuely up nd
me
'Mother. said he, apive Old Julius
some dinner. please. Old Julius mcudcd
my little cart.
took ont % liberal portion Of the rric.
assoc, with two OF three potatocs anal q
monstrous cucumber pickle. such "a. I
knew bis soul delighted iu. and bccE
oned tO Julius 10 scat himself ON fbe
doorstep aud there hc made such amesI
AZ only an Indian can. ending with d
huge camille Of strawberry pic and 81
wedge Of cheese big enough for three.
Now, Julius. said J.. .you mus.
split me some kindlug wood TO pay for
This.
JuIiuss copper colored -counlenauce
fell be- drew bis hand across his berry
stained mouth.
Nc split him said Boo. rcsionellv
Give me big Ratchet
Julius, what were you DOING with
those meuf' T asked. suddenly.
.AM