Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-12-18


unes.
I'll try to tell it story-wise.
1t was Christmas eve, at Saw-Mi1
Gulch. Johnny lived near there. He
had gone West to be sheep-raiser, so
he pre-empted claim in Turkey creek
canyon, built cabin, and settled him
self to ''hold down" three hundred and
twenty acres.
Here he lived with Tab as his only
companion. Tab was a cat. He had
taken her in one stormy night, poor,
starved creature; now she was fat and
lazy.
1t was Christmas eve, and Johnny was
lonesome. Tab was asleep, so she was
no company to speak of.
''Tab," said John, at last, sit takes a
thunderin' lot of sleep to doyou-but |
don't know but as you're right"
Just then, above the roaring of the
storm, arose fearful cry, as of one call
ing for help. Once, twice, it rang out
with awful clearness and then died
away. as if in an agony of despair.
The cat walked, jumped toward her
master and mewed as she looked up into
his face.
John took down the old musket and
fingered the lock. listening intently all
the while.
Again that shrill, imperative yet i'm
ploring cry. 1t was human voice.
The man swore as he thought how he
had been deceived into thinking that
call for help the shrek of wild beast.
He drew on his fur cap and great coat,
lighted his lantern and strobe forth into
the dreadful night. ''You stay here,
Tab, and keep house, he said, soothing
", to the cat, as he shut the door of mis-
cabin.
Down the mountain he sprang, sure
footed as a chamois. The storm in
creased in intensity every moment, and
it was very cold. lie kept on doggeily
like himself-until he came to a mar
row point in the canyon, where the wag-
on track was crowded into the creek and
there was only room for a wagon to pass
by closest driving.
He looked upon a strange scene.
''buck-board" was there, turned
over, the horse attached to it lay, bar
ness tangled, in the water, and woman
sat bolt upright on a bowlder near by,
afraid to move for fear of plunging into
the creek; and doing the only thing she
could-using her lungs.
John put down his lantern, waded to
the rock, lifted the woman in his strong
arms and carried her back across the
torrent to the narrow path.
81 reckon can walk now" she then
said, sharply.
Don't be too sure about that John
answered, but he put her down, for She
was tall. and heavy, and besides it was
very embarrassing to have woman so
neal him.
Don't fear me-" she said. ''If 1 slip
I'll catch hold your coat Go onP'
So John rescued the horse and, lead
ing the animal, with the woman close
behind him, went on until the light OF
his window streamed out upon them.
LA, me! that looks comfortable" she
said
He flung the door open and she en-
tered and stood before the fire. She
was wholesome healthy, tall woman,
with round, rosy face, and sparkling,
shrewd, yet kindly black eyes, and her
dress, when outer wrappings were re-
moved, was neat almost to primness.
John was speechless with admiration.
He stood like school-boy, blushing and
awkward.
The woman turned and smiled.
"If was you," she said, I'D sit
down"
Soon, after the horse was provided for,
they had tea; it put more life into the
woman, and she told John that she had
come to Turkey creek canyon to take up
claim. She had not been afraid to
travel alone, but the storm had caught
her, and, thanks to him, she was safe.
She said she was New Highlander, but
not from Maine. She was rather reti-
cent about herself.
When the clock struck twelve both
started and blushed. 1t was spark
ing time" in New England, and Christ
mas morning at that.
At first both looked grave. Then they
laughed. "Its no use talking of bed
time" said she, $50 we may as we'll
prepare to sit here all night and talk.