Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-09-20

follows:
Edwards latter . long pauso) III sur
render. I'm beat. l give up, but 10
hurts, Il hurts! I'm like an old broken
scythe, hung up, t rust in tho rain; I
amt no use to y now, Jennie! Here's
my hand, young man; Walter, my son,
take her back t Boston whore she ought
e be, an take me back & Derry. l
sha'n't DO burden 70 y long. Idont
s'pose I'm wuth the trouble, but I'd
kindo like Z DO buried back there. I
hate T. die out on this hot prairie with
no tree { be buried under; seems S II l
couldn't rest, an rest Is tho sweetest
thing in the world fr man like me, the
only thing left can't lose that.
Linnie throws herself on his knees)-
Oh, poppa, poppa, you make my heart
ache so.
Edwards (strolsing her hair)-I hope
you won't have t. suffer Us Allie has, lit
tic girl.
Reeves with deepest earnestness) i
say you are fallen, but tho COLUMN has
passed on, the battle will yet DO won.
Courage; you will yet 1.-Two to see the
ouposts OF tho enemy carried, and Linnie
will live to see larger and grander abo-
litiop ~ause carried to bloodless Appo-
mattCx - the abolition OF industrial
slavery.
Linnie Gifts her FACET
Alicc-Do you think so? IL there
hope, Walter?
Reeves-There is great hope.
Edwards-lf l could believe that I'd
feel easier. II could feel
that my children and my childrens
children could have better chance than
I've had mean without your help or
anybody's help-all I ask is q fair
chance
Reeves-That's what I mean. A fair
chance for every man-ifs coming!
Alice do you think so?
Reeves (expanding with enthusiasm)--
know it. Just as know spring will
como again.
Edwards--If could b'lieve that.
Reeves lin the same tone)-You can't
help believing it, as you live the next
five years; the air is already electrical
with inquiry. Over us the shadow still
hangs, but far in the west faint, ever
widening crescent OF light tells of clear
skies beyond. Live for that time, it's
worth living for. Strike hands with me.
Let me carry your knapsack. Believe
in the future
Edwards-I'll try. (They clasp hands,.
Alice-How much you are to us, Wall
ter? You have given US all new life.
Reeves-I've only begun to be some'
thing to you. Now we are ready to be-
gin life together, and they shall rest
easy
Mrs. Edwards-Ilere's your tea, Ja'
son.
Edwards Crying to rise)-llclp me up.
Mrs. Edwards-Wait q minute. Linz
ME, bring some water and q towel; AL
lie, bring that bowl o. broth. Don't try
to get up, Jason, till got some more
pillows. (The women go out).
Edwards struggles to rise, Reeves
puts his arm about his shoulders; as he
does so look OF borrow passes over tho
old mans face. He stares at Reeves, ut
last whispers)-My God, l can't move
my feet!
Reeves (comprehending) - No. no!
Great God, man, that would be too hor-
rible. It's only temporary numbness-
Edward makes another desperate eff
fort and falls back on his pillow with
set, despairing face; groan bursts from
his lips
No, no-it's truc-I'm paralYzed!
Alice Cre-entering, hears, stands for
an instant appalled-rushes to his sido,
oh, itcan't be true-I-
Edwards ION impulse to shicld)-Sh!
Don't tell-them- mother-baby- 800
(As Alice and Reeves stand Mortified,
gazing into each others eyes, Linnie
enters, dancing, whistling.). ,,y
Linnic-And now we'll so back to
Boston, won't we, Allie?
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