The Russellville Democrat., 1889-08-29

drew away anu Wa@hcu c0AAo uAca1uNo down the gulch. where they came to halt
 Now says Brandy. you have all heerd the gals tale. an ye all know old Ike. Whut ye got to say to itP'
 For minute no one spoke. then Jerry. stepping forward, said:
 Brandy, you've allus been sorter of leader here, an I'd like ter know what you've got to say, yerseif-a ' Brandy stood for moment silently rasping his jaw with his nails.
 Wal, boys" he said nj last. you all heerd me a-talkin' up thar while ago. bout a wife and a gal I've got back East, didn't ye?"
 They nodded their heads.
 Wal. I'll tell ye boys. s'pose that wife an that child'ud git notion into 'em to come a-huntin' mo up out yere, an s'pose bout the time they'd found whar I wuz I'd done som ethin' an the feners'ud string me up. It'ud be purity doggoned hard on the wife an gal, wouldn't it?n
 Bet it wouldr Jerry replied; ''an' I'd be in for lettin' you go if you'd stole ever cent O gold dust in the mounings.n
 .Them's my sentiments, boys, Bran dy said. in conclusion. Now. what do the rest of you saye"
 Let i'm go! Turn i'm looser they all cried.
 Then he goes" said Brandy, and the miners broke loose in a wild cheer that echoed and re-echoed through the gulch and far up among the mountains.
 They've found 'im-they've found 'imw the child cried. when she heard it
 Il dunno" Sam said, ''whether they've found i'm yet but they will find i'm purty soon. He was here to- day, and he can't be far of. Is your ma much sick2"
 "Yes, sir; she's awful sick, and don't know nothing that goes on. She just talks all the time about pap. and begs us 10 fetch him to her.
 Then she didn't send you up here after 'im?"
 No. sir; I come myself. had just enough money to pay my way"
 T reckon you'd like to go back to- night. wouldn't you?"
 If could find pap I would, for I'm afraid mother ain't goin' 10 live long. May be not till morning"
 There ain't no stage down tonight. an it's long ways to walk"
 '.Oh. I wouldn't mind that. if only had pap 10 go with me Do you reckon they'll find him soon?a
 Yes. I s'pect so." Just then they heard the miners com ing back. and the girl waited almost breathlessly for their approach.
 '.Wal, little gal" Brandy said, we've found your pap, an he'll be heEa in c minute. The boys is fetch in i'm up from his cabin.
 In little while Ike Samson came up, and after gazing at the child an in- stant, opened his arms, saying: My Jane, my childr'
 She flew into his arms and they closed about her, as she father and daughter sank down 10 the ground weeping together
 The men stood around in silence and not q word passed between them. though more than one coarse sleeve was drawn across a pair of wet eyes. Directly Brandy whispered 10 Jerry, and s moment later there was elink- ing of gold and silver as & hat passed about from one 10 another.
 This is fer you an yer ma. Brandy said, as he tied the money in a bag and handed il to the girl.
 And for pap. too2H she asked.
 lies, for him. too. y
 Now. boys sam said. Ike must be got down to the fort tonight. fer the gal says her mothers bad of an uayn't live till moruin', an she's iist a-beggiu' for Ike all the time He must git there right o1."
 That's what he must" Brandy re piled. '-aa I'll go dollar on hirin Jim Barker's wagon an team"
 No you don't"' Jim cried; my tean'll take 'em 'thout a cent Q pay
 h short order the wagon was brought around. and when they were settled in it. Jim cracked his whip and away they bounded down the gulch, followed by q long-eontiuued cheer from the miners of Rattail gulch.
 They never saw Ike again. but two years later they heard of him living a quiet. sober life escsx East. happy in a good home with she love Of his wife and daughter r-Thomas P M0ntfort, in Leslie's Newspaper,