The morning call., 1892-07-27
JIM'S MISLEADIN'.

WDlcn tOlD Sauly upon our pOuleSi toNAi'
docile little beasts which kind host had
trusted to the tender mercies of two enthu-
siastic h0rseYOmen who daily enjoyed gal
lops over the sparsely settled Western
plain.
at is n cabin. and 1t seems to be deserted
We might bring water from the ranch and
battle our faces" suggested Marie. flaming
with her fai ping shade hat face once lily
fair, now sun-kssed and and wind blown
to tawny hue sadly at variance with the
fiaxen hair.
Peg ard BeppO, our faithful four-footed
friends. would not desert US; lariating was
unnecessary. The frail poplar door opened
at our touch,
SOMEBODY has lately been here and that
somebody Is a woman. She must have been
fond Of solitude. OIL Oh! Lucille, do not
lock into the Kitchen" cried Marie. Nv ny
did we stop here? 1t is a woman. She has
died alone"
The woman's face was rale and drawn.
but she was not dead, as closer eXamlna-
tiOn proved. Hastily impr0ylSlng eouch
of green prairie grass we placed the poor
creature upon it. but coverings ana Iur,
niturs there were none. Shs was cIOtheu
literally in rags.
A search in the house for a vessel that
would hold water was vain. Fortunately
some thrifty travellers had sought the shady
aide Il the huge mound, when they rested
and lunched. leaving behind them number
Of empty cans.
"AlkaIi," exclaimed Marie. tasting the
clear and cold but disagTeeabiy impregnated
water.
The woman revived, opened her bright
hazel eyes aud looked wonderlngly ABOUT
her. We held the water to her lips, which
she drank thirstIy, saying 1eeOly;
"lt'scouln' when ones buTnin' up. I've
wanted water so dgeadfUlly, an there was
.tr- N frft me q a
--he-weut on-'thOut me. kind o pes
tered an Rendered him-sence-'
Don't talk if il dlstTesses you. l have
crackers in my bag. I'll mOisten some with
water, and you must eat" said Marie
sOOthingy,
After obediently swallowing a few
crumbs and being refreshed by bath, the
poor woman insisted upon talking
God has sent YOU. The poor tramp will
Dot die alone. You'N write to father an
mother-tendeT. loYin' s0ulS-'et I've loved
them always. \ Ou may see Jim-Jim was
KIND o daZed into gOin' agin' me by ms
IeadIn' younger an pretter woman. Ills
heart was sllus mine | can't 90 agin' jim
'cas be was wea6-we are all that-NeaB
an in need Of charity an that love tba
covers faults. lcan't think Cool be ha'st
with them's that's weak an l0vln'.
~ on see | was an only daughter an VI
lived beside fathers mill in country plac
hidden by the hills. The big milW heel VA
an linen bieachin close to the bank al
watch the water showeTjn' an sparkin' a
the wheel bgZzed end whlrrcd around. Oh
hear 10 my dreams the water drip, drlI
dTppin' from that old wheel,
Father an mother warned me ag'in' JI
when he hired as hand an came 70 boar
with Us. But Jim's eyes were so speakin
his hair black as a crows wing an his way
so winnin', that | couldn't believe he'd q
as mother said, break wOmaus heart a.
laugh at her for loyin' i'm An then
wanted TO get out into Jlm'S world, wheI
folks hadn't gone to seed.
FaDer offered Jim a share In the mill
he'd stlddy down, but be had no idea ,
doin' that So one night l stole away lik
thief from those who loved ne au' wef
with him. Hand in hand We stood besid
the OLD mill Th7 drip, drip, drjppin' Il n
water ssf Dag.t break the hearts oi taos
ed ge oleg 1 cried ous:
e- 40 this thi1g
but m kissed me AZ said:
4o1 aI hefer rae tue step. [ Iol
Jou mo taaE .le ITSELF
toioTed dis ieadin', hearin' plain fe
eays sl,r1aaf1 The s~ssh * TIE water oYs
"].m's leadin's has Isd ne down. dew
Hls poYe 2, shame, an eli sorts of sal
teln lYe aali-siaFve9, fEaze bore abase
prslecls an through < all h01ed FOR better
tLibgs, "a now Fm dyiu' a tramp. strae
Rn woman, Jess he sort OF egeelur q
Ao 8lte away from IN those old hanDv dav.
"Jim's sith 2 sh9B 4 bareback ri1iel
Allly lreyanicu, iiked Hy man she ne
9old macs eYcs an Fs5 eheeks, YOU know
de is SiguOr RRifn! an STE MedeuaeIsasi
iTeyani0n. Carter Brothers bat no plac
fn ibeiF Com oiaatinn for oAe cent washir
dlEaes, coGkin' an wl5rz at broke ma dowl
Write 20 father az mother. at I've Kei
aly hanazeciean, an IN worthy TO look inl
ssas honest eyes, az I've never forgot
love 'em.
"Pye buried ny little girl in"
Suddenly a DeS lignt came into the haz
eyes the worn face appeared Younger ar
brighter. Lightly ard gTippin zly sis san
Dawn ths stream. as eoeelily beside TO miii :
where sas echoes nerEily shst1 playful eaor
Ar &c sac. tic tae, goes ths a.iu.
Turn ths boat Jln. Isn't the SAT
beautiful IL the sB eh Only bear
oripp.n' from the bg wheel"
"1nl Lucille" sobbed Marie, "..
Again tie sweet voice thrilled
Whe all Oh, readily she ane< ers US again
D. ae wheel right stead TO hear eur hon
JIM to you trsly think me the prst
n0ald of the p
Tie trirr -Ig melody became a plajntiy
does father an mother hear the drinrir
az are they hopin' for the prodigaI depni
ter's return? Oh, write al I have unGs nisa
to-brlng me water-not that bitter sfnT
pure, sweet cold water Whatl Mono r
me- When lt goes dTippin' In showers froT
the big whee 2" WIS AVL
~! dhe face was fast changing.
Gu must rouse yourself Tell ma vor
urged Marie. "o "Il'e
sang: Olins foic
we had & well. well. deep old well. whore the sprio
And the COO drops down from the mo,sv .,o,
were falling constantly: 9S' 9'oH
my little Gun ~ 9"D0t % thaJ j
Drawn from the curb nv tho ru1. .,. -
my isther's hand set up. W "iie'
TRY. Lucille" urged Marie .rnduoo l.
70 SPEAK her mothers name. The dear nj
people must not wait longer for tidings -
have-loved-yOu us-,Jim-Ged vi
-not De-haTd-Jn the weak
Ihere IS no other way Wamnst b.sta
nome and return in the morning sal
a1ane, pltyingiy folding the cod. dea
carefully and softly we closed the doo,
cahed our ponies and turned homeward
meeting upon our way a friend who hs,
oeen sent to find us ' nav
Shlte early the next morning a comnan,
VI wafm-hearted pioneer men and yoTns;
.aio ~ hameiess grave, in the shadovI -
ane great no~er-coyered mound onr r.. y, - !,
AnsIe were bruises upon the emaciata,
pody that had been inflicted hv crnaI n',' NC
heavy hands. 0S oiuei ant
We shall never know now" Mari,
Na ~