Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1889-06-27
BESS.


we peered fearfully down into the dimly liz
gorge 300 feet below, from which there came
to us faint sounds of life, the barking OF dogs
and child's voice raised in shrill halloo. AT
this latter sound Bebe raised her small curly
head from Dukes broad breast where 1t had
rested during the last hour of the toilsome
ascent. The great violet eyes flashed open
and gazed down, vainly endeavoring to pierce
the gloom.
"Why, there's child down there, How
can child live in the dark9"
From our elevation we could see, through
cleft in the sierras, flaming streaks OF pur'
pie and crimson and gold, and the sun, like
great bali of fire. sinking into the cleaning
waters of the Pacific. Pressing on, we maze
the descent into "Inferno," as Duke styled 1t,
as rapidly as was consistent with the dlgnlty
Of our stolid little burros. Atevery step the
shadows deepened and broadened till at last,
when we were lifted from our saddles, we
could but discern the straight, slim figure OF
the doctor, who had preceded us, and pressed
close against his knee the shadowy outlines
Of sprite, a fay-clearly something I'M
canny-so small and frail it seemed
As the doctor advanced into the mellow
beam of freight which streamed welcoming
ly from the OPEN kitchen door, the small
shape fitted from him and was swallowed up
in the darkness He must have seen In
Bebes wondering eyes the question which
she was to much awe struck to ask, Tor, as ne
lifted her I'D into the light, he said in his
gentle, tired voice:
ssThat was little Bess She and I are great
friends"
There was a subtle magnetism In the In
expressible sadness which enshrouded this
dark eyed, tender voiced man, that drew TO
him the involuntary love and trust OF all
helpless, friendless creatures. Young as he
was a great shadow had fallen between him
and the sunlight, whitening his affections,
blghting his ambition. When he left home
to attend lectures In distant city, he was
accompanied by a dearly loved friend, one
whom he hoped in the near future to call by
the still dearer title of brother. This friend
fell i'll, and, though after weeks OF suffering
he gradually recovered his physical health,
his mental tone seemed to have been weak
ened He became subject to fits OF melan-
choly and In one of these took his own life
The doctor was with him, but noticed moth
ing unusual till the pistol shot rang through
the room and the lifeless body fell with a
dull, heavy thud to the floor. From that
moment he was haunted by the horrible con-
seriousness that If he had been more watchfl
the tragedy might have been prevented. The
Door, half crazed sister of the dead boy re-
fused to see or speak to him again. After al
interval of despair he took up the broker
| ~, - piaa tharu wit
the harsh, stern lines of duty in the place Of
golden inclination
After hours OF balmy, refreshing sleep we
awoke to find the sun gliding only the top
most crags which, like watch towers
frowned upon us from above the stupendou
walls which on all sides shut in the gorge 4
small river tl,mbled headlong down the rocks
l chatting and fretting impotently at the hug
powders obstructing its passage to the sea
), Its banks were lined with aromatic ba,
e which, gently stirred by the breeze, Leaned
9 over and tipped its rich green foliage into tn
y clear water
:. Our idle enjoyment of the scene was cloud
9 ed by the apparition of small, scantily cla
:: Bess, who logged our footsteps and at last
It when we paused, crouched at the doctors feet
e looking UP into his face with the unsatisfe
. questioning of dumb animal. He talked t
'e her in his sympathetic, quiet way till tn
le thin. grave lips Enclosed, and the little Great
p ure told him all that she knew about herse
d and the unchildlike life that had been passe
Is under the shadow Of overhanging noun
ot aims sudden glow passed over the palli
H. face, the large eyes grew eager as she told
the one bright day of her life. mister Wa
ly Ter was er-goin' down an he let me ride Jun
i, alta an then he TUX me to er show"
TX The words tumbled over each other In h'
ce haste to tell of the wonders that she say
ul When Bebe, finding that they have one su
p. ject in common, slipped down to a level wit
1t her, and exhibited great familiarity with IL
d. tricks and antics of the monkey Bess' surpri
flashed forth: "Was yer thar, an did yer s
mea" Being answered in the negative 81
won from compliant Bebe promise to "lot
outn for her at the next show.
he As the two young faces were upturned '
he could not fail to notice the contrast--the o
he 80 full of life and health, with shining hal
nd clear, beautiful eyes and blooming cheel
m seeming the very embodiment of sunlgt
he the other with PALE drawn features, thin Ii
set about with lines Of care, straight, d'
IN white hair and complexion of a chalky wifi
ST. a fit child of Shadow
,ep When we climbed the mountain side
of look over at beautiful fall where droc
he ing ferns and clinging lchens hid the rou
no wallis of rock over which clear water dash
he in silvery spray to loose itself in the da
all pool beneath, the doctor burdened hlms
I'VE with Bess Her rapture was intense thou
ng she only said; "It is SO pretty never s.
vas 1t BEFORE Afterwards she said to Bebe Il
ED whisper: ~ like that man. He takes me
ore places From that hour she became
shadow. content to be unnoticed If she mis-
to but be near him. On the morning of our
7ay parture the whole camp gathered about
the bid us farewell, but Bess was missing.
Search was made in vain for some II
h, | about to ride AWAY. when