Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-12-27

more so had it not been for his rein
ing taste.
He had once ventlred to carry q
cane, but his comrades peremptorily
drew the line of prohibition at canes
and he was forced to discard the OBJ
noxious article.
A rough but kind-hearted set OF
men, they had made quite a hustle OF
preparation through the day on
which they had calculated the travel
ers would return.
Dan Voorhees, had scrubbed his
shanty, and Sam Collins, who kept
the long, board house which answered
for a hotel, had partitioned of an
apartment for the tired mother and
her children with a curtain of sacking
roughly sewn together, and in an un-
usual freak of taste had manufactur,
ed an apology for a window curtain
from the remains of an old white
shirt which had long since been packed
away in his trunk as unnecessary rub
bish.
"Wimmin like sich truck, he ex-
planned apologetically as q comrade
stared in surprise at the unwonted
luxury hanging over the little win
dow.
All this time the mules were toiling
wearily up the trail toward the speck
of a cabin. They had almost reached
it when the little boy cried out: oh,
mamma! Poppy looks so queer =
and the wife with fast-beating heart
climbed over the seat TO the rear of
the wagon, where her husband lay.
The last great change for him was
coming fast and he whispered: Pray,
Nenr' as his beseeching eyes looked
up into her pale face and u cold sweat
broke out on his forehead.
The poor woman had prayed in her
Illinois home, prayed for the husband
leaving her so utterly and unexpect-
edly alone, but she could not pray
now. Still, she tried her best and her
whole heart went out in her despair
ing invocation: "Oh, God Oh, God,
draw near" and the words died on
her tongue and great sobs choked
her.
Goodbye, Nell, tell the boys to be
kind to you an" and the fluttering
breath ceased, and the wife was a
widow and his children fatherless.
Mamma I'll run to the shanty an
tell the man how sick poppy is, said
the little boy, and climbing down
over the wheel of the wagon he sped
away as fast as his little legs would
carry him.
He had never seen death, and the
mother was too absorbed in her grief
to explain to him that papa would
never be sick any more.
He came back soon with wide open
eyes and a quivering lip. There
amt any one there, mamma. lpeeked
i'm the window an hollered all around. y
Tim Conway had gone up to the
camp, and the widows heart sank
lower still at the thought of the long,
lonely ride with that still, motionless
form behind her. He had seemed a
protection even in his weakness while
the breath Of life lasted, but now she
was desolate indeed, and she took up
the reins with a sense OF horrible
loneliness, which she had never be-
fore experienced.
Wash jackson, the black cook at
the Collins house, was preparing 10
fry griddle cakes, a favorite dish with
the men, when the rumble OF wheels
was heard.
That's Brad, I'll bet ye, /" cried Dick
Gowby, throwing down the cards with
which he was playing, and rising
hastily.
Hello, pard, ye're jest in time for
flapjacks," and Sam Collins threw
open the door and strobe out with
welcome.
A stifed sob was the only reply,
and he stepped back. Beg parding,
who ever it's" 1t was quite dark and
the mules and the long white covered
wagon were alone visible. Were
expectin' Brad Newell, an I'll be
drafted eff this ere don't match his
team to dot"
"Poppy'S sick" raid the little boys
small voice; the widows sobs still
choked her.
And who's popY'' asked the miner,
kindly.
Pm Willie Newell, and mamma's
here"
"iTis Brad's team arter all. l
thought | couldn't be mistook. Hello
old feIler r.
"Cheer up, man, we'll soon have
you well again, and the miner walk
ed around to the rear of the wagon.
He'll never be well any more.
He's dead, friends, said the widow In
a choked voice.
"Dear9 Well, now, that's rough,
ma'am. Blest ef faint" and one OF
the bystanders went into the house
to carry the news.
"sho, now, yer don't sayf and
Wash Jackson turned griddle cake
over onto the floor instead OF upon
the griddle in his surprise, an his
widder an de little cbillen am at de do
wild de corpse. Sho, sho, now, dat
an awful 'scouraging."
..Shet up, yer black yawp, an get
,em something to eat, )" said one OF the
men. roughly; they must be clean
tuckered out"