Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-19
DOLLY.


Is unknown. But this much is certain,
that the first advances must have come
from Dolly herself, for a friendship of
any kind, much less friendship with a
chubby, di1npled little maiden, was not
much in Jim's line.
There was nothing attractive about
Jim-quite the reverse. a great hulk
ing fellow, with sullen face and evil
eyes, who, young as he was, had dipped
more freely into life's book than is well
for any man to dip. And Jim had not
come out of the ordeal unsoiled, It was
a rough place, that little western mining
camp in which he worked-a rough
place, full of rough men, with whom,
moreover, he was no favorite.
II calclate," said Judge Remis, who
was taking his ease outside after hard
days work and blowing in a gentle,
meditative sort Of way the curling smoke
from his pipe, II calc'late that more
thorough paced young scoundrel than
that Jim don't wlak the earth-darned
if he do
This sentiment, as fully embodying
the views Of the camp, was received with
mods Of assent. ''And yet" said the
judge, taking the pipe from his mouth,
the better to enforce the remark, Dolly
there seems sort O struck with him"
That's So" said big Ben thought
fully
The camp uttered growl or two of
protest What did Dolly see in him?
was what the camp wanted to know-a
question more easily asked than an
swered.
Pretty baby Dollyl with her dimpled
face and brown eyes darling baby
Dolly! the God given bit of childhood
which was blossoming in the midst Of
that band Of wild, hard living, hard
drinking fellows, not one of whom, at
his widest and worst, would have done
aught to harm her.
jest look at EN-" said the judge,
raising himself up on his elbow from the
soft grass.
The men followed his gaze, and about
twenty yards away, appearing over the
prairie ridge, they saw the two-Dolly
seated on Jim's beautiful horse, Red
Mustang, one of Jim's strong arms
thrown protectingly around her, the
other carrying her basket of berries, full
to an extent that showed that Dollys
chubby little hands had never gathered
them alone.
Dolly herself was regarding the lusci-
Gus fruit admiringly. "Daddy'll yike
'em. Dim, won't he?" they heard her re-
mark
"Wellr' said jim savagely, "seein' as
it is Daddy, I've no doubt he will Dad
dy's ready for most all he can get"
There was u sufficient amount of truth
in the statement to cause u smothered
laugh of amusement among the listeners.
in which Daddy, otherwise the judge,
good humoredly joined.
Dolly did not laugh; instead, her brown
eyes grew troubled. Jims remark had
savored of disloyalty to Daddy, and 10y
atty to Daddy was part of Dolly's simple
creed Suddenly she frightened. $50
am l." she announced.
''Are yer, now?" asked Jim.
"lss," said Dolly. Aren't your"
Jim made no reply. Catching sight of
the spectators, he lifted Dolly and the
berries roughly 60 the ground, and went
or his way in his customary moody ST.
lence.
Dolly, apparently quite used to such
treatment from her strange friend, picked
up her basket and trotted contentedly to
her fathers side.
"Who've you been with. Dolly" said
Big Ben, catching her up in his arms and
tossing her to the sky.
Dim" said Dolly from Bens shoulder.
The men laughed.
well, am surprised" said Big Ben
loftily-"a little gell like you taking up
with such Us him. | wonder at you,
Dolly"
For answer Dolly buried her hands in
Big Ben's curls, laughing gleefully.
Whereupon glorious game of romps
ensued.
However, it SO happened that Jim was
to give a practical answer to Dolly's qucs-
ton as to whether he was ready for all
he could get by committing u theta
daring theft. and by no means his first,
although for the first time discovered.
Caught red handed" said Big Ben,
his hand tightening ominously on his
heavy stock whip.
The camp was soon ablaze with the
news, and from every side there focked
angry, fierce eyed men. They made
short work of such sinners in those days.
a few yards of rope and the nearest tree
used to settle the business effectually
A man might gamble or swear or use
his pistol us freely as he pleased, but in
such Il community theft was necessarily
the objectionable crime.
ITO the right about!' said Big Ben,
slernly.
Jim scowled at him. He did not ask
for mercy. knowing that it would be
useless. He would have been the last te
offer it in such case himself.
Suddenly attracted by the tumult ap
peared Dolly, looking out at the worli
from her great sun bonnet.
run away!" said the judge sharply
sthis ere amt no place Cor little gels.
Dolly was an obedient little soul, ant
in an ordinary case would have obeyed
But baby as she was, something of tn
significance of the scene came home t.
her: Jim standing alone amid that rim;
Of cruel faces.
She gazed pitifully at him.
"Go away. Dolly" said Big Pen
'you've nothing to do with him. He
. thief"
Dollv's eyes sought Jim's for denial