Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-02-11
MANGOLDS VALENTINE

amount to much.
That's So" spoke up one of the set
tiers who were warming themselves at
the stove on an early February evening.
They make the two little fellows do all
the work. I've never seen the father
anywheres."
Neither have !, " said the storekeeper
They came here in September; the first
we see Of 'em was noticing the white
topped campers wagon standing on the
section OF government land near the
cabin that the Blagg boys left when
they found the land wasn't hrst-elass.
The two boys have been here for a few
things and always paid for what little
they got; but they wouldn't talk much.
guess they're pretty hard up, and I've
thought I'd go over and see 'em, but I
never got to it."
The other men agreed with this his
tory of the family, and remarked that
they, too, had thought of going TO see
the family, but had never carried out
their purpose.
One had passed the cabin about
month before; he had seen a woman
through the window, but nothing more
was known OF them. They were evil
IDENTIFY the one family of delinquents in
a prosperous community of settlers.
Nice, open winter, remarked Squire
Gillett, as they all rose TO go.
be going next week, though the nights
are kind of chilly yet"
If the MangOlds expect to hold gov
ernment land, they must get some plow-
ing done right of"
Correct. Too bad the old man puts
it all on those two boys"
Buttoning up their heavy coats, the
settlers mounted their ponies, and rode
homeward together.
There's the two boys now, remarked
Squire Gillett, when they had ridden
two miles or more across the brown
prairie. Looking of to the west, they
saw two small boys mounted on large,
rawbOned wOrk-horses, their outlines
distinct against the sunset sky.
The two boys We're jogging along slow
ly and in silence. Their slender forms
seemed oddly in contrast with the size
OF the horses they We're riding. They
shivered in the raw evening air. Heavy
clouds were coming up in great black
masses from the northeast.
We must hurry. Joe, said one of the
boys, -or Wen get wet
I suppose so, for our coats aren't
quite waterproof" said the other.
Say, Give, Joe went on, after a mo-
ment's silence, don't you think it 5 been
4 pretty lonesome winter"
Joe nodded three or four times, rather
ruefuIly.
I shall be glad enough when spring
comes" he continued, for then papa
can get out OF doors and see folks.
He's pretty sick, don't you think"
Yes, Joe, but mamma says he's feel
ing better, and if we're brave, strong
boys, he'll get well again.
But the blowing? Can We do it all?
DO it, We've got TO do it, and there
are only few days left before the time
will be up, and If we don't have it done
we shall lose the claim. It's too bad
the harness broke this afternoon, but if
the stOrekeePer has some straps, Wen
be all right"
The horses had started into a gallop,
and the boys bObbed awkwarJlly in their
seats. Over the swells, down the grassy
slopes they went, and then, with a still
faster pace, whirled down another de-
clivity, and crashed through the dead
lsunaOwer stalks and tumbleweeds that
covered the bottom OF the slough.
They had gone but a few yards here
when the horses suddenly stopped, and
sent the young riders sliding forward to
the animals shoulders and names.
The object which had stopped them
was a large and dilapidated prairie
schooner" which stood at the side of
the trail. The horses that had been at
ftaehed to it browsed upon the dead
weeds.
A campfire had been started beside
the wagon, and near it, his hands hold
ing his head and his elbows on his knees,
was fiannel-shirted and unkempt man.
He did not look up until the boys call
ed to him, and then he raised a worn,
anxious, hopeless face.
Anything the matter?" Joe asked.
Yes, something's the matter. It's
the little one. He mOtioned toward the
wagon.
~Siek?" asked Joe.
Yes, and maybe dying. I've come
for days from the West, calculating to
take the child home to the old folks in
Missouri, but the little cOdger cOuldn' t
stand the journey"
The boys slipped TO ground, and by
the light Of the fire approached the back
part of the wagon. They drew aside the
cover and let the freight into the in
terror.
A child, hardly more than baby, was
moaning on the bed of straw within.
Can't we help your" asked Joe, anx-
.iously.
I don't know. I've tried to find a
doctor, but I don't seem to make out.
Maybe the folks are afraid of me. Any
how, they don't seem to want me around,
and now I've clean lost my way"
IN tell you what Wen do, - said Joe.
Wen take you home. Papa can doctor
people,
But the harness, Joe?" said Give.
That's so: forgot it. Well, I'll tell
you: You drive home with the man, and
I'll go to the store. I Amt afraid"
In a few minutes the emigrant was on
the road toward the Mangold cabin with
Give, while Joe, his courage Just a little
weakened by the appearance of the still
darkeaing sky, was riding rapidly in the
other direction.
My goodness, who's thisi" exclaimed
the stOrekeeper. as he was putting up
the blinds Of the lonely prairie store for
the night. He could hardly believe his
eyes when the young rider presented
himself
And you've come all this alone?" he
said, when he had heard JOe's story
Well, my boy, you must be good one
Look herel I'm going home with you .
He put on his overcOat, and wrapped a
shawl about the slender boys shoulders.
Come, he said, picking up a bundle
which Joe thought was certainly too
large to contain nothing more than the
piece OF harness, lets 90"
Together they mounted the horse, and
through the falling rain the two rode on
mile after mile, the steady swish OF the
horses feet through the dead grasses
being the only sound to break the still
ness OF the night
At last the faint light in the cabin OF
the AIangolds shone across the plain,
and Few moments afterWard the store
keeper and the boy had entered the house.
J tel VOC What, said the stoFskespeF