The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-08-08

thing In the mornin'."
While they were yet talking they heard
the rumble of vehicle down the road as
it rolled and bounded along the rocky
course.
"Stage is COMM" Sam remarked.
"Wonder if wen git any letters from
home, boysa" one said.
''Dunno, I'm Shore" Brandy replied.
~ hain't heerd from my folks fer morn
q year now"
''Me nother," said Jerry; "but fer
that matter haint got no folks worth
mentionin'. Jest some uncles and aunts
and cousins and SIGH, an they amt much
to Teller, nohow."
"No, not like wife an children"
Brandy assented. "I've got wife and
a leetle gal back thar, an Pm sorter be-
ginnin' to want to see 'em. The gals
Their purtiest little thing you ever laid
your eyes on, an was about so high
(measuring with his hand when I left.
That's been six years, an 1 low she's
growed up nigh to q woman now"
These remarks touching the past and
the old home recalled to each of the men
q 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 fiat mail-pouch and dis
mounted. The men in the meantime had
lounged across, and now stood around
the stage.
"Got passenger fer you, boys" the
driver announced, as he clambered down.
"Who is hel" some one asked-"a ten
derfoot or an old timer2"
''It ain,t old timer, an it amt 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, cheaply clothed, and as
delicate as could be.
When she reached the ground she
stopped and glanced eagerly around at
the row of faces before her, and there
was 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 tone as
he could command, asked:
'sAirye lookin' fer somebody, sis9''
eyes, SIR" she said. IT am looking
for papa Do you know himl They said
he was here, but don't see him."
"What's yer pap's name2" Brandy
asked. We mout tell you somethin' bout
him."
Ellis names Samson"
"Whut! old Ike Samson9"
eyes, sir; only he's not old. Do you
know hima"
"Why, ya-as, we've seen i'm right
smart off an on. He ulster hang round
yere good Bit"
"Then he's not here nowH" she asked.
"Wal, he's not exactly right here, but
he mayn't be fur off, you know"
ado you reckon you could find out
where he is2'
"Why, dunno. We mout."
II want him so bad, and l wish you
would ask about him and help to find
him."
"What do you want Nv im9"
"Mother's sick down at the post, and
want to take him to her SOS she will git
we'll She heard of him up here, snd
left home away back in Missouri to find
him; but she took sick on the way and
can't go any further, and so came on to
find pap and take him to her. He'll be
so glad to know she's come, won't he2'
Il dun why, yes, low SO" Brandy
stammered out. ''Leastwise he ort tc
boz
"Ah, he will, too, for I know he mus
be awful good. Mother wouldn't tall
about him so much, and cry over his pic
ture and old letters every day, If hi
wasn't the best man living. He is good
amt he2''
Brandy stammered, hesitated, ant
grew red in the face, but made no reply
After little while the girl repeated he
question.
"Why, sartinly, o. course" Brand.
said.
"And you'll help me find i'm, tooa"
. "Yas, wen help you. Sam, you sta.
5 here with the child, an the rest of usl
look round little fer Ike"
Q Sam understood old Brandy's meaning
and nodded assent. The others drew ava,
r and walked some distance down tn
! gulch, where they came to halt.
8 "Now,' says Brandy, ''you have al
heerd the gals tale, an ye oil know ole
r Ike. Whut We got to say to it2"
For minute no one spoke, then Jerry
l stepping forward, said:
e Brandy, you've allus been sorter of
t leader here, an I'd like ter know wha
] you've got to say, yerself."
r Brandy stood for moment silentl
rasping his jaw with his nails.
n "Wal, boys" he said at last, "you al
: heerd me talkin' up thar while ago
n bout wife and gal I've got back Eas
d didn't yea'
@ They nodded their heads.
"Wal, I'll tell ye, boys, s'pose tina
y wife an that child'ud git notion int
s into 'em to come a-huntin' me up on
we're, an s'pose bout the time they
found whar wuz I'd done somethin' al
/" the fellers'ud string me up. It'ud
y purity doggoned hard on the wife an ga
d wouldn't it2'
''Bet it wouldi" Jerry replied; '.al
n I'd be in for lettin' you go if you'd st0l
g ever cent o. gold-dust in the mountings.
Is "Them's my sentiments, boys" Brand
said,. in conclusion. ''Now, what q
le the rest of you say"
h "Let i'm gol Turn i'm loose!" the
q all cried.
n "Then he goes" said Brandy, and tt
!" miners broke loose in wild cheer tai
lie echoed and re-echoed through the gnlc
ir and far I'D among the mountains.