The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1893-04-15
WORKED FOR HARDEN.

WORKED FOR HARDEN.
In tiny bedroom in brand new
Western town family burned an oil
stove. The stove was hardly more
than an iron lamp with a rim above.
on which rested small stew-pan.
The room was dark, in spite OF the
feeble glow that struggled through
the smoked isinglass in front of the
stove The air, pungeut with the
mingled doors of peppermint and half
consumed kerosene oil. was pierced at
quick, regular intervals by the weak.
shrill screams OF a young child.
Leaning over the cradle man,
girdled into crimson bath gown.
uttered inarticulate sounds of sooth-
ing nature, while near by on the bed
q vague mass of huddled white cast
an immense blurred shadow upward
on the wall and ceiling.
mo. Nothing seems wrong with
the pins" the man said presently, in
a pleasant, even voice. lit must be
colo His little hands and feet arc
like ice"
II have the peppermint dropped.
said the voice from the bed.
The man took the spoon held out to
him. and putting it into silver cup.
added u little hot water from the
stove. stirring the mixture and test
ing its heat with his lips, He half
lifted the baby with ono hand, while
he cautiously insinuatcd the tip OF
the spoon into the bird-likc opening
of the stretched mouth; the cries
ceased. and there was sound Of ia
bored sucking and little smacking
noises; u great effort, sort Of in
drawn whistle, emptied the spoon.
and the screams recommended
You'd better light the lamp, Mac
and give him to me -
Cant you lie down aud let me
quiet him. Liliiana As soon as he is
warm no will drop of " And again
the man leaned deeply into the cradle,
like bird in the act ~ lowering,
but the cries continued.
The lighting Of tho lamp brought
out curious interior. The room
was not more than ten feet square
and into it was squeezed an ordinary
ash bed room set; on the wall, at the
foot of the bed. q row Of clothes pegs
supported line Of wuman's dresses;
across the chair that was Wedged be-
tween the wash stand and bureau.
over confused heap OF clothes,
stretched long rose aad cream tea
gown. as it had been thrown the
evening before. An immense black
bear skin lay extended AZ the bed
side; it's great, sullen head lay under
the cradle. while one of its hind legs
was thrust beneath the washstand-
its shaggy blackness covering all the
available floor space, except where in
front of the bureau lay the richly
marked skin OF a wildcat. From the
upholstered walls and ceiling baggel
and wrinkled a cheap. highiy-colored
wal! paper, and the damp night wind.
coming in al the window. which was
raised on block of wood. ran be-
tween the papering and the wall with
. creeping. cracking sound
AS the man sat on the bedside,
making impotent efforts 10 soothe the
child. believing. shrieking Waistle
obliterated the baby's cries.
The sawmill whistle, 1t must re
1 o'clock. l thought We had only
just gotten - sleep. POOP little Eel
low, he's hungry. He knows what
he wants better than We do.
The oil stove was turned higher.
and in few moments the naby's bot
tie was gurgiing repletion, while with
swift, dexterous fingers the father
slipped the black tube over the top
Then the cries stopped; the baby was
gently returned to the cradle and
pinned in with giant safety pins. the
lamp and stove eztinguished, the
dressing gown thrown oF. and perfect
quiet. except for tho wind creeping
under the paper. filed the tiny room
Presently came faint;
..Mac?r
Yes
do you ever feel sorry tne 10y
cameo Don't you ever feel that he
and are moro bother than we are
worth?r
You ought not to say such things.
Lillian. Think how long We waited
for the baby. Why, little woman.
you know that you and he are all that
| have in the world to live for and
work for"
And then came sleep
Macmillan Harden sat in his real
estate office the next day, with his
feet on the table desk. upon which
blue prints and hulls Of letters were
scattered He was one Of the chief
rustlers OF Edensport. which at that
time consisted of two sa,v-p,ilis S,,.,