The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-06-29

all men, with no friend save Jonah
And now, here on this balmy, heavenly
day, when all nature breathed peace
and joy, Ben sat alone, deserted by all.
Fortune, family, frionds-yes, even his
dog, for Jonah had disappeared-van
ished, and no whistle Of his master
could lure him from the canyon.
Tribble sat absorbed in bitter reverie
when suddenly crashing in the thicket
made him start and lift his heavy eyes.
A good humored, smiling face met his
the face of Joyful Jerry, awell known
character from the camp below, lazy,
happy 60 lucky fellow, with few brains
and a kindly heart.
"Hello, Benz" he called.
"Hellor' modify from Bon.
Thought I'd pay ye visit" said
Jerry, dropping down upon the ground
beside --ribble. II tell We, pard, ye're
too lonesum up here. Why don't ye
come down ter the camp? The boys
low ter hev q celebrashun on the Fourth.
Ye'd orter ter come down. They've sent
to Silverton fer fireworks an powder an
cannon. Lord, but they'll whoop
things up Ye'd orter come down. "
To Joyful Jerry's pressing invitation
Tribble returned no answer, but sud-
denly and CURLY asked, ''Ye didn't see
nuthin of that thar ornery yaller dorg
of mine, did We, ON your way up?"
81 seed Jonah cuttin down the can
yon like all possessed" returned Jerry,
"Now what ON airth's gone an took
that thar crittur?"
Hell knowsp' said Tribble savagely.
After joyful Jerry had taken his de-
parture with q farewell adjuration to
Ben to be on hand for the ceremonies
and rites Of the glorious Fourth, Trib-
BILE rose, went into his lonely cabin and
sat down on the edge Of his bed.
Fourth of JulyP' he muttered. Gel
ebrashunsl Humphl I'd like ter know
why I should celebrate? Orter be patri-
otto, 1 reckin. Patriotic over what? A
country I done my level best fer. I fit fer
her, tramped through snow, rain an
hail; slept on the ground; ct pork an
hard tack; faced death over an over fer
her, an now she's a-doin her best to let
me starve. A ID fine country! It's
only country fer the east an goldbugs
an Wall street-curse' EN-! I'm played
out-old, poor, forsaken by everybody,
even my dog I'll cash in now an let
the game go ON without me. Come here,
Betsy, old gal, " taking down his batter
ed, rusty rifle. 81 didn't think when
we wuz marohin through Georgy I'd
ever come ter We ter help me out Of life,
J,,f hot &c, xty1o 81
done fer-busted. Ye're my last
friend. Give me proof Of your friend
ship now
With his rifle in hand, he stepped to
the door of his cabin to take his last
look of earth. The sun was just setting
The dying rays were flooding the noun
tains with lurid light. White and cold,
their glittering peaks shone amid the
scarlet and sulphur hues of sunset like
purified souls emerging from furnace
of fire. The great solemn pines swayed
and bent in the evening wind. Mystic
rious and vague whispers seemed to float
from tho depths of the forest. The lone
ly, weary, desolate watcher was strange
ly moved by the solemnity and har-
mony Of the scene. ooh, it's purity" he
murmured brokenly, cts purity. ! allus
wanted Molly ter see them mountings,
but she never will. Who'll find me,
wonder, and send her word"--
He started. Sharp and clear on the
soft night air, up from the canyon, rose
the bark of dog.
"Why, thar's Jonah!' Ben cried.
"Hea a-comin back. That thar ornery
why, thar's voices-who's with him?"
Through the opening, between the
cedars, past the tunnel, came two figures
"a woman and dog. The dog-not
q handsome animal by any means, but
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