The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1894-05-25

hair and beard were all flecked and
dashed with white: his eyes were
suHken in his head. and burned with
an unnatural lustcr. while the hand
which grasped his rifle was hardly
As. he stood. he leaned upon his weapon
for support. and yet his tall figure and
the massive framework of his bones
suggested a why and vigorous consti-
tuition. His gaunt face. however. and
his clothes. which hung so baggily over
his shriveled limbs. proclaimed what
it was that gave him that senile and
decrepit appearance. The man was
dying-dying from hunger and from
thirst.
He had toiled painfully down the
rayine and on to this little elevation.
in the vain hope of seeing some signs
OF water. Now the great salt plain
stretched before his eyes. and the dis
tant belt of savage mountains. without
a sign anywhere of plant or tree, which
might indicate the presence of moist
ure In all that broad landscape
there was no CLEAN of hope. North
and east and west he looked with wild
questioning eyes. and then he realized
that his wanderings had come to an
end, and that there, on that barren
crag. he was about to die. why not
here. as well as in feather bed. twenty
years hence" he muttered. as he seated
himself in the shelter of a bOwlder.
Before sitting down. he had de-
posted npon the ground his useless
rifle. and also a large bundle tied up
in gray shawl. which ne had carried
slung over his right shoulder. 1t APP
peared to be somewhat too heavy for
his strength. for. in lowering it, it
came down ON the ground with some
little violence. Instantly there broke
from the gray parcel 4 little moaning
cry. and from it there protruded
small. scared face. with very bright
brown eyes. and two little speckled
dimpled fists.
you've hurt me-" said childish
voice. responsibility.
Have thought" the man answered.
penitently: Il didn't go for to do it. =
As he spoke he unwrapped the gray
shawl and extricated pretty little girl
of about five years of age. whose
dainty shoes and smart pink frock.
with its little linen apron. all bespoke
mothers care. The child was pale
and wan. but her healthy arms and
legs showed that she had suffered less
than her companion.
'.HOw is it now?' he answered. anX-
81 -,
towsy golden curls which covered the
back of her head.
Kiss it and make it WELL" she said.
with perfect gravity, showing the in
jurcd part up to him. That's what
mother used to do. Where's mother?'
Mothers gone. l guess you'll see
her before long"
Gone, en- said the little girl !
Funny. she didn't say good-by: she |
most always did if she was just goin' |
over to auntie's for tea. and now she's |
been away for three days. Say. it's |
awful dry. amt it? Amt there no
water nor nothing to eat?"
No. there amt nothing. dearie. |
You'll just need to be patient awhile. |
'
head up agin ME like that. and then /
You'll feel better. 1t amt easy to talk 1
when your lips is like leather. but | /
guess. I'd best let You know how the |
cards lie. What's that you've got?'
Pretty things. fine things" cried /
the little girl enthusiastically. holding
up two glittering fragments of mica.
no %
them to Brother Bob
You'll see prettier things than them
soon." said the man. confidently. You
Just wait bit. l was going to tell
you. though-you remember when we
eft the river?''
''Oh. yes"
We'll. we reckoned we'd strike an
,ther river soon. dye see? But there
vas somethin' wrong: compasseS. or
nap. or somethin'. and it didn't turn
Up. Water ran out. Just except 4 lit
lie drop for the likes of you and
and
And You couldn't wash yourself" in
errupted his companion gravely. star
ng up at his gri1ny visage.
No. nor drink. And Mr.. Bender. he
vas the first to GO. and then Indian
Pete. and then Mrs. McGregor. and
hen Johnny Homes, and then, dearie,
our mother"
Then mothers deader. too" cried
he little girl, dropping her face in her
'inafore and sobbing bitterly.
Yes. they all went except you and
ne. Then l thought there was some
nance of water in this direction. so l
eaved you over my shoulder and we
it together. 1t don't seem {;
S though we've improved matters.
heres an almighty small chance for :
IS now"
do you mean that we are going to !
lie. too" asked the child. checking {
er sobs, and raising her tear-stained '
ace.
Il guess that's about the size of it."
why didn't You say so before?" she
aid. laughing gleefully. You gave
lie such fright. Why, of course. now i.
5 long as we die we'll be with mother
gain"