Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-08-15

had eaten their suppers and were ENJOY
ing a smoke outside the cabins, when
from away down the gulch there floated
up on the soft breezes the notes Of rude
song. "Listen, fellers," old Sam said.
For minute they remained perfectly
silent,and softly; almost sadly, the breezes
waited up these words: -
''Oh, the old, old home left behind,
An the purity little gal that's waitin' Ter me"
"Doggone my hide, boys" Brandy
exclaimed, 'Iif / don't b'leeve that's old
Ike"
nIt do sound some like his voice, +" Sam
replied; 'Fbut l never heerd him sing
mono afore as long as he's been in this
ere camp"
"Reekon he'd as well sing while he
kin, Sam, fer if he come on up here, which
take he's a-doin', he won't never sing
no more after to-day-leastwise, not in
this yere world. Whut ye say, fellersG"
aReckon yer talkin' bout right, some
one replied, and the Others nodded their
approval. 1
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 hill 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 piash down there. Want
me ter shing shomethin'9 Doggone fine
shinger 1 am. Listen: -
"Oh. the old, old homesh left behind,
An ther purity little gal that's waitin' fer me.
"Reckon she'll keep on er waitin' g
good while, old chap" Brandy said,
"Yesh, reckon; but I'm goin' home
purity shoon, eff nothin' don't happen"
"They's monty strong prospect o
somethin' happenin', though"
"That so2 Coin ter strike er pay
streak an git my FORUM, yer reckon7"a
"I low there won't be much pay in it
but yer goin' to strike streak an gi
whut ye desarve."
'sThanky. Git what I desarve. Shay
that's what I want. Thanky. CUES
I'll retire-I feel sorter tired" 80
Old Ike turned and staggered away tt
his cabin, humming tune as he went.
"Got to let i'm sober up afore we stretcl
'im," Brandy remarked.
"In course" Jerry Rogers replied
''It wouldn't nigh do to hang er feller il
that fix. Guess he wouldn't know wha
he was stretched fer nor nothin bout it
Have to let i'm sober up" -
"Yas; an Wen tend to him the fus
thing in the mornin'." E
While they were yet talking they hear
the rumble of vehicle down the road a
it rolled and bounded along the rock
course. .f
!, "stage is comin'," Sam remarked.
"Wonder if we'll git any letters fror
home, boys2" one said.
, "Dunno, I'm Shore" Brandy replied
~ hain't heerd from my folks fer NOR
year now"
"Me nother," said Jerry; "but fe
that matter hain't got no folks wort
r mentionin'. Jest some uncles and aun
e and cousins and SIGH, an they amt muc
d to feller, nohow."
It "No, not like wife an children,
s Brandy assented. eI've got wife an
r a leetle gal back thar, an Pm sorter b.
: ginnin' to want to see 'em. The gal
e ther purtiest little thing you ever lai
e your eyes on, an was about so hig
d measuring with his handy when lef
4 That's been six years, an I low she
d growed up nigh to woman now"
f These remarks touching the past an
the old home recalled to each of the me
a a train of fond memories, and for son
a time they smoked their pipes in silenc
e each busy with thoughts of the dear on
it in the far East.
n Pretty soon the stage came in sight, ar
n hating before the saloon, the driv
II threw off little fat mail-pouch and di
e mounted. The men in the meantime h,
lounged across, and now stood arour
rs the stage.
f scot passenger fer you, boys" t
le driver announced, as he clambered dow
J. "Who is he2" some one asked-''a te
lie derfoot or an old timer9"
'sIt ain. t "a old timer, an it amt n
d It's little gal"
j. As he spoke the driver opened ths do
E, and the passenger stepped out. She W
g little mite of humanity, scarcely turn
d into the teens, cheaply clothed, and
delicate as could be.
N When, she reached the ground s
ly stopped and glanced eagerly around
ut the row of faces before her, and the
was timid shyness in her look and ma
!" ner that told that she was afraid. Y
es every man had doffed his hat and "
doing his best to show his respect.
I'd The driver mounted into his. seat a
W the old stage numbered away. Th
Brandy Smith, with his hat under
ef arm, advanced step or two nearer
Id child and speaking in as soft tone
he could command, asked:
r. "Air ye lookin' fer somebody, siss"
er "Yes, SIR" she said. II am looki
Re for papa Do you know hims They 81
he was here, but don't see him."
lit "What's yer pap's name?" Bran
1y asked. We mout tell you somethin' 'b'
at him." Il.
We "His names Samson
We "Whut! old Ike Ssmsons"
p "Yes, sir; only he's not old. Do !
1 n L