Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-11-28
CHAPTER VII.

ON THE MOUNTAIN SIDE.
Somers submitted to the negro without
speaking. He was plunged in thought.
After all, was it worth while to live? 1t
were best to die. Why did he not die
with his wife?
Mister Jerrold, dis is, Mars Somers."
Somers looked up to meet the look of a
middle-aged man he remembered having
met somewhere. Mr.. Jerrold's eyes were
lntiamed with weeping; his face was
grlmy. He cast penetrating glance up
on Somers, and the words that were
shaped in his mind were unuttered. In
stead, he took Somers by the hand, say
ing;
Come this way, and we will try to get
some clothes for you. There's everything
going to waste; it will keep you from TAX
ing cold"
Directly Mr.. Jerrold stood with Somers
in group of men, several of whom were
wearing shawls and womens clothes,
freshly donned, evidently. Somers was
handed q pair of cast-off trousers or
overallis and flannel shirt. He put
these on mechanically; meanwhile Mr.
Jerrold observed him intently.
you ought to have something on your
hand"
Somers looked at his right hand. There
was deep cut in it, and the blood was
flowing freely. Until now he had not
noticed it.
And your head-t that is an ugly cash.
Somers. put his hand to his head.
There was great lump on the side of his
head; blood trickled from it.
1T does not matter" he said.
Mr. Jarro1d aa1Iad an no<har MOS, - b;r,
"Heavens! Somers! Are you hurt
much?"
Itwas Enoch Broadhurst spoke. Som
ers shook his head.
"Come-this way" said Broadhurst.
Il can't give you much time-I must help
the Fordyces over there. Here!" He
seized q common WATERFALL that was
placed under a rude bench that had been
lifted out of the water, and set on the
mountain side. There was small
earthen pitcher on the bench.
Swallow that, said Broadhurst, hand
ing him the pitcher he dipped into the
pail. There was a gill of whisky in the
pitcher. Somers did not know what the
pitcher contained until it was at his
mouth. Then he had gulped SO much of
it down that it burned his throat.
"Harkess--and you, Jerrold keep an
eye on him until return"
Then Broadhurst fastened down to
house in which several people were mov-
ing about, while others on the mountain
side placed boards up to the windows for
the occupants Of the house to escape.
This was the work Enoch Broadhurst ss-
sisted in. When the last member of the
family was gotten out-not without con-
nj ffN axxf1,S al al
Broadhurst returned to Jerrold and Som
ers.
1t was plain that Mr.. Jerrold and
Broadhurst were concerned about Som
ers, who looked out on the waste of waters
now like man in dream. A woman,
distraught with grief, passed them at
that moment, bearing the dead body of a
child in her arms. Behind her came a
little girl, and next the girl walked a man
carrying a lame boy. The boy was de-
formed, but his expression was angelic.
The father was crying, The boy was
trying to comfort his father.
Let me down now, papa. he said
when they came opposite Somers. II
want to rest. I am tired-and you can
rest too.
The man laid him down gently on the
ground. Then SomerS saw that the boys
arm hung limp. He tried to speak to his
father once, twice--a gurgling sound
issued fom his throat, then torrent of
blood flowed forth. There was a single
gasp, then the boy lay motionless. His
life went out in that gasp.
The father clinched his hands and
turned his eyes heavenward with o fright
full imprecation. Somers knelt beside
the boy, placed q hand on his heart and
stroked his beautiful head. Then gush
of tears blinded him. He felt for the
momentas though his hand rested on her
head
He lifted the dead boy; the father made
no sign, and Somers, who, ton minutes
before was so weak that he staggered, now
felt strong enough to bear the boy further
up the mountain side.
When Enoch Broadhurst sought him,
he found him striving to comfort the dis
tracted mother. Mr.. Jerrold was COM
PEELED to turn aside
You have lost some one, too" said
Somers to Jerrold.
I God help us all-ye The apple Of