The Penn's Grove record., 1895-09-13
A CHILD'S FAITH.

md waited for the stage to arrive
Only idle curiosity moved them, fol
bone expected friends or letters, as few
same in those early days. The stage
snally swung into sight, and stopp d
sQuarely in front of the Kings House.
A woman stepped down, and atauy
girl Of perhaps > years was handed 10
her. From beneath the soft wrap
pings a pale, delicately-featured face
was visible to the lounging miners,
and a pair OF great blue eyes looked
gistfuily from one bearded face to
another.
II don't see papa" she said, Look
ing round for a second time.
mo, dear, but we will find him
by -and-by," replied the mother, as
she carried her tenderly into the
rough hutel.
Can anyone tell me where my
husband is? l am Mrs. Williams
VIII you please tell him l am hereY"
the inquired, turning to the men
who had gathered al the loor.
"Yes'm," said one an go and
tell him" and he Immediately hur-
ried down TO the wash where a num-
Ter Of miners we're working.
say, Toys, here's 3 fne middle.
Just as that Williams goes an steals
horses and gifts ready 10 swing fer it,
here comes along his wife and baby
askin' fer him. Who's golD' to tell
her?-I amt"
The miners stopped working and
gathered close around the speaker.
" he's a little mite Of a woman,
and the baby girl is sick or something,
for she looks mighty pinched like"
9TH amt but one thing to do, as
/ can see," said Dan Howard, stick
ing his spade deep in the sand and
resting his hands on the top "Jest
YOU 20 back and tell her he has gone
to another canpand we'll send a man
after hin. Look out that none of
the boys get to talking about the
hangin' where she can hear them.
And the rest Of us will jump into the
saddle and take a run over there TO
Spring Ledge and bring him home.
It'll take Lively work If we get there
In time"
The messenger returned 10 the
hotel and delivered the word, and
ten minutes later a dozen miners,
heavily armed, dashed away with
their horses on the run for Spring
Ledge,
"What strikes my gizzard, is her
hayin' a sick baby along with her. l
can stand anything but that. A
woman can get along here some way
or other. But we can manage things
all right; If we once lay hands or
Williams there'l be no hangin'."
Dick Williams had been popular
among his felIow-miners in the little
camp, and every man In the party
stood ready to fight, il necessary. 1t
was not spoken OF, yet each n knew
that II Williams was rescued it would
mean business, and they were all pre-
pared.
The horses Sere getting well tired,
and we're urged forward by impatient
hands, until a faint spiral OF smoke
showed they were nearing the Ledge.
The men leaned closer in their sad
dies, and strained their eyes in an
effort to catch the first signs of com.
motion in the camp. They did not
slacken pace as they dashed up the
rocky trail until they were in tho
midst Of the heterogeneous collection
Of domiciles which dignifled the
mountain spur into the name Of
Spring Ledge.
They asked no questions, for at a
glance they comprckendcd that their
ride was Of no avail. There was a
small knot of men yet lingering uu-
der a stunted pine tree. A dark form
dangled in the shadowa They were
too late.
1t was an easy thing TO obtain per-
mission to take down the body, as it
saved the expense Of burial by the
Spring Ledge PEOPLE. So, after rest
ing their horses, they carried IL back
with them TO Bison, making a cir
Cuitous route around the hotel, and
laying the body on the bed 10 one OF
the shaOties.
A consultation was held, and not a
man could be found who would break
the news TO the widow. Dan How
ard was selected, but he shook his
head dolefuIly. mo, boys, l amt
no good In talkin' TO wimmin folks.
II l can brace up I'll tell her, and il
/ can't III say he left camp, and no
body knows where he went"
After going into the cabin, and
STRENGTHENING out the dead mar "a
look as comfortable as possible, the
rough miner made a careful toilet,
and went UP 10 the hote. lie found
Mrs Williams sitting hy the window,
holding the little one in her arms
Ibid you lind my papa" Ques
TONED the child, frightening up ant
holding out a white little hand 70
wards the miner.
Howard went over aud took thI
outstretched hand In his own rougl
palm.
''No baby didn't find your papa,
nc SAID, feeling Ill at ase as III
widows eager glance rested OIL ht
face. Addressing bimsel! 20 Mr..
Williams, he continued. "YOu Bc'
ma'am, when the man got 70 SpriH
Ledge he found Mr.. Wiliia ms ha
Just jett, ana nobody knew where l.
bad gone"
He was telling the truth, but
was rather a twisted sort Of affair.
Il felt 50 sure Of finding Mr. VII
Jams here, or | shouldn't have star
cd, Eta has not been well sin,
last Winter, and / thought Ia;
bringing her u the mountains migl
break up her cough lie surely lie
some word here before he went
Spring Ledge, did he mott ] came
quite understand what should ha.
taken him 10 that place, DO y,
think he will rcturn soOn2n ask
Mira Williams, looking up with h
eyes filed with tears VI disappoil
ment
II couldn't say, ma'am. He mig
and he might not These proapectl
trims iuaf a lam nuhIla p,R,atIu,a