The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-01-27

Lcfec tftbtt JuofttuJ " 11CftCLJ SOH.
OF the small craft were o o slowed
away in the capacious hold of the Red
Wing, as were the extra harness and
other traps. The water cask was un-
slung under the small wagon, and Civ
ing it a kick that sent 1t rolling Hen
derson said, I'VE shan't need that
At this the old lady, of whom nobody
was thinking, cried: Yes, we shall.
Take it along. It'll come mighty ha- ~
to keep soap in!'
Never you mind, granny" said
Henderson, smiling at the idea. We
shall find soap barrels enough over the
mountains"
Next he turned to Thomas, who was
pOking away at ON box he was NOV
ing, crying: Come, hustle up, my
friendl We've got to get to Carson City
as quick as the Lord will let us! l tell
you, we've got to get some chickens,
some fresh butter and milk. tea. fresh
vegetables and a whole lot of things
for these sick folks. It's a wonder you
amt all down with scurvy. such salt
boss rations as you've been Twin on"
At this speech saw Mary's face light
up.
"Oh. Kitty" ! overheard her say,
hear that! Chicken broth to make
Kitty and mamma well!'
Henderson spread his own mattress
and part of his bedding in tho small
wagon for the sick woman and child,
after it had been cleared of all the boxes
and baggage 1t contained. making both
quite comfortable. All hands OF us
then hauled the small craft into posi-
ton, and it was securely dashed be-
hind the big prairie schooner and taken
in tow by the gallant Red Wing.
Thomas and the boys mounted into
the large wagon, while all the women
and little ones were placed in the small
one.
AS l assisted the lettering old lady
into the vehicle, she paused when half
way in, nodded her head toward Hen
derson and said to me in Il triumphant
whisper, Hes jist like Mumford,''
"Goodby" was SOC said all round, Il
crack like the report of Il rife rang out
from Henderson's blacksnake whip. a
shower of merry music was shaken ont
of the hundred bells as the 10 huge an
finals threw their weight into their col
lars and set the tall steel bows arched
above to quivering. Then the two We
hicles moved slowly away in the direc-
ton of the main road to Carson City.
At the distance of a hundred yards the
old bald faced horse. as he went limping
1,ohrr1 tt,n n,Ila, n,,, 4 o,>a - -,l
denly become aware of the fact that he
was leaving behind the mare, the old
companion that for days, weeks and
months had faithfully toiled by his side
over huge mountains and across broad
desert plains. Two or three times he
turned and looked back with eyes that
| stared wildly from their sunken sockets.
He whinpIed uneasily and strove to
wheel about, but his strong rope halter
each time brought him up with a jerk
that must have made his teeth rattle in
his skull and which nearly threw him
off his trembling legs. So he gave it
up, and they all moved on across the
desert in the red light of the declining
sun.
Poor old DEVIL" said l as l stood
there in the desert Golgotha. He feels
as did the relict when she left Mum
ford behind under the trees on the banks
of the Green river.
"Goodby, Red Wing and kind young
captain cried 1, wiping Il tear away
as l saw the two craft drop out of view
behind Il distant desert billow. Good
by and farewell. Mary, Kitty and all
of you! May you find a home and hap
piness in the bright land of flowers on
the summer side of the Sierras!"