Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-02-14
DOLLY.

Dolly ana ne were IfleuH8. now or
INV the friendship was first struck up
i unknown. But this much is certain,
that the first advances mast have come
rom Dolly herself, for friendship Of
anv kind, much less a friendship with q
chubby. dimpled little maiden, was not
much in Jims line. NJ
There was nothing attractive about
Jim-auite the reverse. A great hulk
inp fellow, with a sullen face and evil
ewes. who, young as he was. had dipped
more freely into hfe's book than is well
for any man to dip. And Jim had not
come out of the ordeal unsoiled, 1t was
rough place, that little western mining
camp in which he workcd--a rough
place. full of rough men, with whom.
moreover, he was no favorite.
II ca!c'late,r said Judge Remis, who
vas taking his case outside after hard
davis work and blowing in gentle,
meditative sort of way the curling smoke
from his pipe. II calclate that more
thorough paced young scoundrel than
that Jim don't wlak the earth-darned
if he do
This sentiment. rs 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 Dollyi 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 'em," 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 Dolly's
chubby little hands had never gathered
them alone
Dolly herself was regarding the lusci-
Gus fruit admiringly. ''Daddy'n yike
'em, Dim, won't he?' they heard her re-
mark
Weir said Jim savagely. "seein' as
tits Daddy, I've no doubt he will Dad
dy's ready for most all he can get"
There was a sufficient amount of truth
in the statement to cause a 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. Jim's remark had
savored of disloyalty to Daddy. and 10y
atty to Daddy was part of Dollys simple
creed. Suddenly she frightened. $50
am |, y 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 to the ground, and went
on 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'ye you been with. Dolly said
Big Ben, catching her up in his arms and
tossing her to the sky.
Dim, said Dolly from Ben's shoulder.
The men laughed.
We'll, am surprised" said Big Ben
iottliy-"a little gell like you taking up
with such as him. | wonder at you,
Dolly"
FOR answer Dolly buried her hands in
5lg Bens curls. laughing gleefully.
"hereupon glorious game of romps
ensued.
however, it so happened that Jim was
" give practical answer to Dolly's ques-
eon as to whether he was ready for all
ne could get by committing a theft-a
aaIins theft. and by no means his first,
although for the first time discovered.
Taught red handed" said Big Ben,
us hand tightening ominously on his
neavy stock whip.
ine camp was soon ablaze with the
news and from every side there focked
slsfy' fierce eyed men. They made
snorl work Of such sinners in those days.
a lew yards of rope and the nearest tree
sseu 10 settle the business effectually.
uan might gamble or swear or use
MS pistol as freely as he pleased, but in
saen community theft was necessarily
Tue objectionable crime.
reruly.
jim scowled st him. He did not ash
NJ mercy, knowing that 1t would be
S SSsless. He would have been the last tc
e1 II IN such case himself.
Suddenly attracted by the tumult ap-
~ 80 dolly, looking out at the world
I'm IN ner great sun bonnet.
IA, nun away!" said the Judge sharply
ms Ms ere amt no place for little gels.
N o''y was an obedient little soul, and
a. ordinary case would have obeyed
So oaoy rs she was, something Of the
~ 1cance Of the scene came home &c
NJ NJ, n. SIin standing alone amid that ring
" cruel faces.
s so. gazed pitifully ut him.
+ .vo.s, 20 away, Dolly" said Big Ben
'saVe nothing to do with him. Hsi