Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-03-09
them to Brother Bob. F"

just wait bit. ! was going to tell
you, though-you remember when we
left the river?"
"Oh. yes"
well, we reckoned we'd strike an
other river soon. dye see? But there
was somethin' wrong; compasses, or
map, or somethin', and it didn't turn
up. Water ran out. Just except lit
tie drop for the likes of you and
and
And you couldn't wash yourself, in
terrupted his compa.-..?n grarely, star
ing up at his grimy visage.
"No, nor drink. And Mr.. Bender, he
was the first to go, and then Indian
Pete, and then Mrs. McGregor, and
then Johnny Homes, and then, de&rie,
your mother"
''Then mothers deader, too" cried
the little girl, dropping her face in her
pinafore and sobbing bitterly.
''Yes, they all went except You and
me. Then ! thought there was some
chance of water in this direction. so |
heaved you over my shoulder and we
tramped it together 1t don't seem
as though we've improved matters.
There's an almighty small chance for
us nowi"
''Do you mean that we are going to
die, too?" asked the child, checking
her sobs, and raising her tear-stained
face.
81 guess that's about the size of it"
"Yhy didn't you say so before?" she
said. laughing gleefully. You gave
me such a fright. Why, of course, now
as long as we die we'll be with mother
again"
Eyes, you will, dearie."
"And you, too. I'll tell her how aw'
full good you've been. III bet she
meets US at the door of Heaven with a
big pitcher of water, and lot OF buck.
wheat cakes, hot, and toasted on both
sides, like Bob and me was fond of.
How long viii it be first"
~ don't lnow-not very long" Tho
mans eyes were fixed upon the north
ern horizon. In the blue vault of the
heaven there appeared three little
specks which increased in size every
moment, so rapidly did they approach.
They speedily resolved themselves into
three large brown birds, which circled
over the heads of the two wanderers.
and then settled upon some rocks
which overlooked them. They were
buzzards, the vultures of the west,
whose coming is the forerunner OF
death.
Cocks and hensr' cried the little
girl, gleefully, pointing at their i'll
-. 1a,- In, lie
to make them rise. Say, did God
make this country?'
'In course He did," said her com
panion, rather startled by this unex.
pected question.
''He made the country down in Illi-
nois, and He made the Missouri the
little girl continued. Il guess some
body else made the country in these
parts. It's not nearly so well done.
They forgot the water and the trees" !"
what would we think of Offering up
prayer" the man asked, diflidently.
at amt night yet" she answered.
at don't matter 1t amt quite reg
ular, but He won't mind that, you bet.
You say over them ones that you used
to say every night in the wagon when
we was on the plains"
''Why don't you say some yourself?'
the child asked, with wondering eyes.
II disremember them" he answered.
II hain't said none since | was half
the height o. that gun. ] guess it's
never too late. You say them out, and
III stand by and come in on the
choruses."
''Then you'll need to kneel down,
and me, too" she said, laying the
shawl out for that purpose. You've
got to put your hands up like this 1t
makes you feel kind Of good"
1t was n strange sight, had there
been anything but the buzzards TO see
it. Side by side on the narrow shawl
knelt the two wanderers, the little,
prattling child and the reckless, hard
ened adventurer. Her chubby face
and his haggard, angular visage were
both turned up TO the cloudlesa
heaven in heartfelt entreaty TO that
dread being with whom they were face
TO face, while the two voices-the one
thin and clear, the other deep and
harsh united in the entreaty for mercy
and forgiveness. The prayer finished,
they resumed their seat In the shadow
OF the bowldcr until the child fell
asleep, nesting upon the broad breast
of her protector. He watched over
her slumber for some time, but nature
proved to be too strong for aim. For
three days and three nights he had
allowed himself neither rest nor re-
pose. Slowly the eyelids dropped over
the tired eyes, and the head sunk
lower upon the breast, until the mans
grizzled beard was mixed with the
golden tresses OF his companion, and
both slept the same deep and dream
less slumber.
Had the wanderer remained awake
for another half-hour strange sight
would have met his eyes. Far away