Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-01-19
At The Sign Of The Black Eagle


beyond the z nnalee range. to enjoy /
glass of old Silas Baxter $ ten-year-olC
rye, and to empty many key of Pill
seuer, which latter. coming from over
the sea or msyhRp from n Chicago
brewery. is designated by Silas as
-furrin." in order to distinguish it from
the ''home brew" as he calls the whis-
ky of ''ole Kaintuek."
The tavern, that Is the Mecca to
which so many thirsty thrOats are
JOUrneying is situated on that broad,
level belt of country which separates
9he tallest peak of these silYery, FIR
covered mountains from tho smaller
ones that slope down its western side.
Standing at the door of tho Black
Eagle you have if you face norihward.
au unobstructed view of the road fer
many miles; 10 the south you can only
gs,zs US far as the immense rock which
snarks the end of this road and the
winding path which Leads to the valley
below.
a young girl is standing by the tav-
srn gate. watching anxiously the forms
d!i:s, emerge from that turn beside the
rock. at last all the ranehmen. min
ers. and stock hands for miles around
have taken their accustomed places at
ti,e rough oak tables that are scattered
throughout The saloon. and with
gl,tsscs of the healthfGl pilsener or the
death dealing rye beside them, are
closely watch NO a faro Layout" or
betting loudly and recklessly at little
game of draw"
Outside, the darkness comes on
space, and the young girl unable any
longer 20 see the rock, walks slowly
In its direction.
just before she reaches the turn a
tall. 1.-the figure comes bounding up the
marrow path. and seeing who is so near
him clasps her in his arms
''Oh. Joe! My own dear JoeP' she
ores. and lars her head on his shout
der and sobs softly for awhile.
'Dear-dear Helen" he murmers,
Z strok .ng her fair hair with touch that
is almost loYerlike in its tenderness,
aud which arouses all kinds of Gnpleas-
ant speculati0ns in the mind of person
ThO IS an unseen witness of the meet
ing; ''how very long ago it seems since
we've seen each other. You were only
so high when-that happened"
What happened? o Joe. I've lived
all these years without knowing the
! reason of your leaving home"
The young fellow eolors angrily.
WELL you see." he begins. II ran
away
Eyes, know, he told me that"
did he tell you whyp' he asks al
most fercely.
The girl shakes her head They are
sitting together at the base of the rock,
aud she keeps an active watch upon the
tavern door
Il ran away because couldn't stand
hs-well because / couldn'E bear his
sneers and seorn for my one fault.
You wonder what that was? IL can't
tell 1t was nothing dishoDorable-tO
1ne. 1t was discovery made. that's
all"
He stops abruptly. tho angry light
dies out of his eyes as they rest on tho,
form beside him Now tell me about
yourself. Nell What have you been
doing these last i've yearsa Are. yon
happy"
Asudden trembling of the hands that
are closely clasPed in his furnishes the
answer for which he hopes
Yes. l am happy" she answers
Dear Joe. You will come and live with
me when 1 am married to Sam-tbe
Sam Willoughby you used TO shink SO
much of you know; and he has big
ranch just beyond the last hill"
Sam Willoughbya OF course
think lots of him" says Zoo entbusi-
asticalIy, sand 1 viii come and live
with you for awhile, and we'll all be
happy ever after, AZ the fairy stories
say. Eve some matters to settle be-
fore come back for good, but 1 |
couldn't resist the temptation Of nd |
ing over to sec you for n moment and |
that's the reason / sent old Ned with |
that letter You were surprised TO
bear from me. weren't yoRgF
81 nearly tainted With joy at the
thought of seeing you so soon. dear
Joe. I've been so lonely And you re
going off again"
al have debs TO pay in Boxers
vile. and I'm going back TO Rock
Point for some money that is due me.
With part of that money LshaIl pay
my debt. the rest IN divide with you.
Don't worry. Nell. III only be a day
or two"
''And-who-do yon owe the debt
10. JoeP she asks iimidly.
10 my father. He was 30 angry
nbout that you knOB. he tannted ma,
with being burden. said I'D cost him
so much. Very well,' I answered,
I'LL nav Il hack Rnpmo daK, Thasa 4 l