The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-05

Maude was sure that we wero lost. She
made an elnborntie calculation, which ro-
suited In q conviction that II tho place
where we lived was called West
Gainesville it must lie in 4 Ger
tain direction, which she indicnted
pretended that no knew all about 1t, but
when l Hnw HIM weakly yield 80 Maude's
suggestion and turn into q CROSS road, I
knew that we were hopelessly off our course.
We wandered thus for hours, 1t seemed to
mo. Sammy developed a mania for turn
ing corners. Every time he came to n new
road he tried 1t on speculation, and finally
he wound up in what looked like a cart
track through n potato patch. Then he
began to cry. and amid his gurgling soba I
distinguished the words: ''If that darned
woman meaning Maude) had only lot me
alone I'd r. been all right"
could not wholly disagree with him, but
the necessity for action deferred mo from
contamination. Far on our right / made
out the dim outline of u house, and l sug-
gested that VIC make it our haven for the
night, and resume tho search for our own
property on the morrow. Maudo pointed
ont that tho morrow would be Friday, and
that ii would BIO madness to move into a
new house on Il day 80 darkly accursed.
However, We might 20 to the houge, and ask
our way.
The cart track did not seem to lead in
that direction, go proposed that we make
the trip afoot. Maude did not dare to re-
main behind with Sammy and she accom-
panied me. The moon was by this time
low in the sky and clouded. We tumbled
over fences and bitches and sleeping animals
Of many different species, and finally reached
the back door of u large farm house. The
inmates had long since retired to rest. /
knocked with n land which struggled to be
be bold, but in reality l could not view this
disturbance OF the peaceful night az n
thing but an outrage, justifying any form
of violence on the part of the farmer. I
/ knocked with my fist three times, and
then twice with n cart stake. BY and by a
%siiarr,. feminine voice called out: what
do you want?"
tried to explain our case but she inter-
rupted me with the inquiry: "Who be ye,
anyway"
My name is Fielding"
"FieldingI" cried a voice from the in
terror of the chamber, and Immediately an
other head appeared at the window. "Well.
what are yo dom out O. bed an roamin'
round disturbin' the neighborhood at this
hour2 We don't ye go homer"
recognized the voice of Uncle Lemuel
Drew. my new next-door n%eighbor. He
had stayed home by accident. I endeav-
ored to apologize, but failed signeIly. Then
| swore at Mr.. Drew for not meeting US at
the station, but this, too, failed TO restore
that friendly feeling which should exist be-
tween neighbors. Finally Mr.. Drew told
us to go to blazes, Ind slammed his window
down. We did not follow his advice, but
instead We went out into Mr.. Drew's back
pasture and told the news to Sammy. who
received it cheerfully, and said that he
should have no difficulty in getting home.
Then we stumbled through the fields to
our W door. In the parlor, l lit a lamp
and sank into a chair, glad to be home at
last. But Maude stood like a statue point
ing to the tall clock in the corner.
'Oh, Howdy," she cried, lit is five min
utes past twelve. We have moved in OF
Friday" Howard FIELDING.
DOWNRIGHT. \