Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1893-03-11
DOLLY.

Is unknown. But this much il certain,
that the first advances must have come
from Dolly herself, for friendship Of
any kind, much less a friendship with a
chubby, dimpled little maiden, was not
much in Jim's line.
There was nothing attractive about
Jim-quite the reverse. A great hulk
ing fellow, with a 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. Ii 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 calc'late," said Judge Remis, who
was taking his ease outside after hard
days work and blowing in q gentle,
meditative sort of way the curling smoke
from his pipe. II calc'late that a more
thorough paced young scoundrel than
that Jim don't wlak the earth-darned
II 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 tho remark, dolly
there seems sort o struck with him"
That's So" said big Ben thought
fully.
The camp uttered u growl or two OF
protest. What did Dolly see In him7
was what the camp wanted TO know--a
question more easily asked than an
swered.
Pretty baby Dolly, with her dimpled
face and brown eyes - darling baby
Dnllyl 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
nught 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 ARM
thrown protectingly around her, thu
other carrying her basket of berries, full
to an extent that showed that Dolly
chubby little hands had never gathereS
them alone.
Dolly herself was regarding the lusci
Gus fruit admiringly. .'Daddyn yik
'em, Dim, won't her they heard her re
mark.
..Wellr' said Jim saysgely. "seein' a
il is Daddy, I've no doubt he will. Dad
dy's ready for most all he can get"
There was sufficient amount of trutl
In the statement 10 cause a smothere'
-, fast tina hatpnQrr
In which Daddy, otherwise the judgt
good humoredly joined.
Dolly did not laugh: instead. her brow
eyes grew troubled. Jim's remark hs
savored Of disloyalty to Daddy, and 10y
atty to Daddy was part of Dolly's simpl
creed Suddenly she frightened. as
am l." she announced.
Are yer, nowY' asked Jim.
'.Iss," said Dolly. Aren't your
Jim made no reply. Catching sight {
the spectators, ne lifted Dolly and II
berries roughly 10 the ground, and weI
on his way In his customary moody q
ience
Dolly, apparently quite used to sue
treatment from her strange friend, pickle
mn her basket and trotted contentedly
her fathers side.
"Whove you been with. Dollyr Bai
Big Ben, catching her up In his arms N
tossing her TO the sky.
Dim" said Dolly from Ben's shoulde
The men laughed.
"Wen. am surprised said Big Be
loftily--"a little CELL like you taking .
with such as him. ! wonder at yo
Dolly"
For answer Dolly buried her hands
Biz Bens curls. laughing gleefull
Whereupou a glorious game Of rom
ensued
However, it 50 happened that Jim W,
% give practical answer to Dolly que
tion as 10 whether he was ready for .
he could get by committing theft
daring theft, and by no means his hrs
although for the first time discovered.
Caught rcd handed said Big Be
his hand Tightening ominously on
heavy stock whip.
The camp WAS soon ablaze with
news, and from every side there dock
angry, fierce eyed men. They ma
snort work OF such sinners in those da.
a few yards Of rope and the nearest II
nsed to settle the business effectuall
A man might gamble or swear or q
his pistol as freely rs he pleased, but
such a community theft was necessar-
the objectionable crime.
'To the right ahoutF said Big b
stsrnly.
Jim scowled ct him. He did not {
Or mercy, knowing that 1t would
useless. BE would have been the last
offer it in such case himself
Suddenly attracted by the tumult
peared Dolly. looking out at the wo
From her great sun bonnet.
"Rnn away said the Judge sharv
''this ere Amt no place for little gel
Dolly was an obedient little soul.
In an ordinary case would have obey
But baby as she WAS, something Of
significance Of the scene came hom
her; jun standing alone amid that I
Of cruel faces
She gazed pitfnlly at him
go away. Dolly" said Big
-xeaya nothing 70 do with him