The Press., 1894-01-25
trying to open and look into one

the dead mare's eyes.
 About this time felt sort of lump rising in my throat and began to want to see something like action somewhere.
 Come, my friend" said I as a thought struck me; rouse up!" slap ping the man on the back. "There are dozens of big freight teams golng back to California every day from Virginia City, and all return without back loads of any kind. You here are not far from the main California road and one of these return teams will haul you and all your traps. Come, my man, you'll be all right yet!''
 But hain't got no money. Faint no use. I've seed teams and teams, an I've axed lem to help me along None ot lem wouldn't haul me. They all come on an left us alone back in the des- erts. They all talked money, money money fust an money last. hain't got no money"
 But that was while your team was still on its legs. Now they cant re- fuse. Besides, the California teamsters are very different men from those who passed you on the plains, where it is devil take the hindmost.' '
 1T tell yer 'tain't no use!' cried the man pettishly.
 the old lady, and she began to bounce about so violently that I feared she would roll off the bank into the road.
 "Tut, tut, mammy!' remonstrated my man.
 Beginning to lose patience with all this idle mummery, I turned suddenly to the swaying bundle and sad, For Gods sake, what is the meaning of all this nonsense about Mumford?'
 This was like giving the bundle an electrical shock. Half springing from her seat, the old woman gave her i'm mense poke bonnet so vigorous an up- ward thrust that it was sent flying from her head into the dust, exposing to view for the first time thin, wrinlzled face and spare. diminutive form-a little "atomy'' of woman.
 What is the nonsense about Mum ford? Is that what you ask, sir? There is no nonsense about Mulnford!" Her alkalied gray hair stood bristling all
 
 in her sunken gray eyes, and she stretch ed out toward mo a skinny arm and clawlike hand almost in menacing 1 manner. ''There never was any nOn- sense about Mumford! No, sir! Mum ford, sir, was my husband for 40 years, and there was no nonsense about him! But,' she added in a calmer tone, "Mumford is not-he is no more. He sleeps on the banks of Green river. We left him there. lie sleeps there un- der the trees, where I, too, should sleep!" Her hand dropped, and in a sobbing voice she said: ''Yes, under the trees, thank God for that! Under the beautiful green trees! He was born among the tall green trees of Kentucky, lived among trees all his life, died among trees! When, far out in the des- ert, the doctor told him he was dying, 1 that he had only few minutes to live, | he asked to be raised up that he might look out of the wagon. Mo-, said he, | I can't die here, and, what is more, 1 won't! There is not a tree in sight l Drive on! When you've come to some decent sort of place for man to die in, l I won't fight against going He lived, sir, while the wagon crawled over miles l and miles of desert-lived till we reach | ed Green river and was laid on his bed under the trees. Then he took my hand and said: 'Ah, the trees are green, and I hear the birds singing. Sally, goodby I'll die now I said 'Goodby, Mum l ford, and he was dead.
 | ''Thomas! Thomasv' called d shril but weak voice from the wagon Thomas, is that mother a-talkin?'
 Thomas-the doubling Thomas who had all this time remained sitting dejectedly on the rock, arose and slouch ed along to the wagon, hardly lifting his feet above the dust.
 The animated bundle followed Thom as with her eyes. Turning to me, she then said: "I'm his mother-in- law He's stick-a perfect stick!' said she decidedly. 'Yes,'' repeated she, 's perfect stick! Oh, that by keeping Mumford before him-that by calling Mumford up in his mind-I could gel him to show little of the spirit o1 Mumford!"
 In a moment Thomas came back and said to me: 'Nancy-that' my wife sir-wants to see you. She's alvin sick in the wagon.
 Nodding to the young girl, who was holding tho sick child at the front o1 the vehicle, and placing a hand on the faxen locks of the littlo one by her side I looked into the interior of the fam 1 fly mansion just as tall, thin, hOl low eyed woman was rising from some quilts.
 Resting in sitting position by hold ing on to the side of the wagon, the wo man gazed wistfully at me.
 II am told. that you are i'll, gcoi woman," said 1.
 "Oh, yes, sir-very, siri I've noun tain fever.' ''
 Now that fully comprehended the distressed condition of this poor, sick friendless, moneyless, shipwrecked fam fly, was so overcome that, as stood