Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-07-16
Sarah had spirit.

l guess not. l tnOfLer nedp CT Try,
an he said he never'd love nobody
else. He war goin' ter marry mo
purity soon, an he said he'd come ter |
night ter fix up things. See," and
Sarah stood back foot or 80. "here's |
Their dress an hxin's got, an put
'em on ter-night fer Try ter pass on"
The girls eyes were filling with
tears as she talked, and old Burnes
al mOst felt mean enough to stink out
OF sight through the dirt floor. She
dashed the tear drops away and tried
to smile to show how little she cared.
but it was such an effort that she
turned back into the dark to hide her
face from the searching eye Of the old
mOuntaineer.
Young Tincher had not forgot his
engagement, but he didn't have the
heart to keep it. He struggled with
himself for an hour after he left old
Burnes, walking through the woods
toward the home OF the HOchstetlers.
At length he resolved to ut least say
good bye to Sarah.
ut KANT do no HARM" he muttered,
'.an' l wanter do it,"
He walked fast, but it was late when
he got within sight of the home Of the
girl he loved. He saw a light there,
and it rather surprised him.
Funny he muttered. "but faint
much funnier'n what old Jim told me
ter day. Keepin' comp'ny fer two
years with Sary! On, the hussy!"
Ira stood in the darkness outside of
the cabin. 1t was still night in the
spring, and despite the trifiing fires
that were still kept up, the door re-
manned wide open. Ira peeped in.
Sarah had visitor-old Burnes! The
young farm hands heart almost stood
still. How pretty Sarah was! She
had on q dress that Ira had never seen
before. and Ira thought her nearer an
angel then he thought angels them
selves could be. He sighed-almost
80 loud that the inmates OF the house
could hear him. Then he put his
hand to his face and felt the struggling
bits OF beard Tears came into his
eyes, and he walked away.
'Old Jim told Their truth" he MUIR
INJURED. II amt old ernuff ner good
ernuf for SIGH as Sary, an he is. l
war fooled, thet's ALL"
Old Burnes was not long in cOnvinc-
ing Sarah that she ought to marry
him and before June had come with
her wealth of sunshine and roses and
songs of birds, the circuit rider was
stopped by the deacon, and the two
were married. Sarah went to the lit
tie cabin that old Burnes had lived in
since his first wife died long before. and
for several months made it an earthly
Heaven for the old man.
Something brought young Tincher
back to Oregon before the year was
over. and he went to see old Burnes
and Sarah. Jim was not at home. but
Sarah gave her old flame an unexpect-
eddy warm welcome. They talked for
an hour or so on one thing and then
another until Ira asked Sarah--he just
couldn't help it-why she gave him
up. The whole thing was out in ten
minutes and Ira went away. He had
an ugly look in his eye and his sullen-
ness alarmed Sarah. Old Burnes was
home an hour later and hi wife told
him that Ira had been there. The old
man did not say word, but when
Sarah was through with her story, he
got his old gun and carefully reloaded
both barrels and gave the hammer an
oiling. Sarah shivered and went nerv-
ously about preparing the supper.
With every breath she admonisbed old
Burnes not to be rash. but her husband
was mum. 1t was nearly shutdown
when the brush parted and Ira Tincher
with q gun across his shoulder, stepped
into the cleared place. The old mar
did not say word, but stepping to tn.
door, raised his weapon and fred a
the approaching figure. Ira did no
stop, but as quick as a fash, returned
the shot.
Old Burnes did not speak. His gun
fell and a second later he followed it
He had bullet in his heart.
Ira gave himself up and pleaded sci
defense. 1t was long fight, and tn,
young farm hands neck was saved. bu
he got 80 years.
The only reason that he never be
came the husband OF Sarah Burnes
nee Hochstetler is that Sarah lives il
Oregon county, on the sunny side o
so. while Ira is spending his days with
in the gray walls OF state peniten