The Russellville Democrat., 1889-08-29

An the purty little gal that's waitin fer me-
 sDoggoue my hide boys Brandy exclaimed. If don't bleeve that's old Ike
 "It do sound like his voice. Sam replied; but I never heerd him sing none afore as long as he's been in this ere camp"
 Reckon he as we'll sing while he kin. Sam, fer if he comes on up here, which I take he's a-doin'. he won't never sing no rnore-leastwise, not in this yere world. Whut ye say, fel- lers?n
 Reckon yer talkin' bout right '" some one replied, and the others nod dcd their approval
 In about half an hour Ike came in sight They knew he had been drinking when they heard his voice in 1 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' CT good 1 timesh Doggoua fine plash down there. Want me ter shing sonethln' {? Doggone fine singer l am. Lishen: u 1 'oa, the old. old homesh I }eft behiHd. l Aa ther pCvty llt'le gal zbats Waitia fer nc "
 Reckon she'u keep on CT waitin' a good while. old chap. Brandy said. "Yesh, I reckon; but I'm gOin' home purty sAoou, of nothin don't happen. !" '.lhey's a monty strong prospect O somethin' happenin', thoGgh. !"
 That so? Coin ter strike CT pay streak and git my forum, yer reckon g' "I low there won't be much pay in it. but yer goin' to strike a streak an ! git whut ye desarye-" ''Thanky. Git what I desa1ve. Shay, that's what want Thanky. l guess { I'll retire-I feel sOrter tired. 1 Olj Ike turned and staggered away to his cabin. humming a tune as he went
 "Got to let i'm sober up afore We ! stretch i'm. Brandy remarked.
 Tn course" Jerry Rogers replied. II, wouldn't nigh do to hang CT feller 1 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 a vehicle down the road as it rolled and bounced along the rocky course.
 Stage is comin'." Sam remarked.
 Wonder if we'll git any letters from home, boys?" one said.
 Dunno. I'm shore" Brandy re- piled. T hain't heerd from my folks fer morn a year now"
 Me mother" said Jerry; '-bu, fer that matter I hain't got no folks worth mentionin' Jest some uneles and aunts and cousins and sieh, an' they ain't much to a feller. nohow.
 No, not like a wife an children. Brandy asseuted. live got a wife aud a leetle gal back thar. an I'm sorter beginnin' to want b see 'em- The gals the purtiest little thing you ever laid your eyes CD. an was about so high (measuring with his hana) when left That's beoB six years. an' lowed she's growed up nigh to B woman now.
 These remarks touching the past and the old home recalled to each of the men 8 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 haltiug before the saloon, the driver threw of little aat mail-pouch and dismouuted The men in the meantime had logngad across, and now stood around the stake,
 Got a passenger fer you. boys the driver announced as he clam bared down
 Who is hes some one asked--.a a tender-toot or an old-timers~
 I; ain't o3d-,imer, an it ain't 8 he It's little gal
 As he spoke the driver opened the door and the passenger stepped out She was a little mite of humanity. scarcely turned into the teens. cheap l Y clothed. and as delicate as could be
 When she reached the ground she stopped and glanced eagerly at ,he row of faces before her. and there was timld shyness in her look and man uer that told tha, she was afraid Yet every man h4d GoEed his hat, and wss doing his best 10 show his respect
 The driver mounted into his seat. and the old stage lnmbered away. Then Brandy Smith. with his has under hls arm. advanced Q step or two rearer 1 ths child, and speaking in as soft 3 tone ss he could comman8. aslseSst
 Air ye lookia' fer somebody. sIss '.Yes- sir. she said am looking ! for pan To you know him They said he was here but I don't sec him ." ~Whlt's yer pap's nanes' Brandy asked We moat tall you sonethia' bout him
 His names Samson. W hut old Ike S2mson, Yes. sir; only hes moi old Do yen l know hims~
 Why. ys-as, we've seaa 'im right smart o1 Sa' oa- He nster han g 'rorud yere a good bii, Then hes uos here nows" shs asked
 Wal. hes no, exactly right herE bul hc layzt bs flrc5. you Ezow-@
 Do yol reczoa yoG could 1nd out ] where he Ess~
 Why, dunno We EolI~ Fl wari him go bad, and wish yoa would asz about hin and help so lad l him