The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-07-06
MAJORS DAUGHTER.
BY Edward Hattons

RADIO, and the rush there was i'm
mense.
The riff-raff from the country for
miles around soon drifted down near
Buford, many of the gold-seekers
even coming from as far as California.
I was one of the roughs, but 1 was
not quite as crude as mCst of my asso-
ciates.
Upon my arrival found established,
near our camp, military-looking gen.
t1eman, sof dignifed appearance, ener-
getic movement, and quick, measured
tread. His keen dark eyes seemed to
take in a fellow at glance, especially
if he caught one of them staring at his
daughter, grave and refined lady OF
about twenty-five, who acted as his
housekeeper.
We had dubbed him the ''major" on
account of his military mien, and we
afterward learned that he was a wild
over and had really been captain
inthe Confederate army. At the close
of the conflict he had but few hun
dred dollars out of a once large for
tune. Disliking to have his poverty
known, and daily commented upon by
those who We're acquainted Win nlM
in his prosperity, he left his Southern
home, and with his only child,
daughter, wandered to Colorado.
''Major'' Waring and his daughter
occupied a rude adobe cabin on the
edge of a mule road, far removed from
the other cabins or tents.
The major and l were working
adjacent claims, and became ~ell ac-
quainted. He seemed to be less taci-
turn when in my company alone than
when other miners were within ear
shot.
One day, while discussing some in
teresting theme, l had accompanied
the major to within few yards of
their tumble habitation, and his
daughter ran out to meet him. The
sight Of her startled me, so unexpect'
ed in a lonely spot, where there was
no other company than the birds, no
sound but the wind in the trees. She
was tall; the color of wild roses in
her cheeks; heavens blue in her eyes.
Her dress was dark, and had none Of
the 'fashy ornaments usually worn by
the women seen around mining
camps; her hair coiled smooth about
'This is one of my-chums, my
DEAR" said the major" with lis soft
voice and smile.
Since then L had often hung about
the cal bin after work. I fetched water
and wood, and did such odd jobs as
were not fit for her, saying no word
but she soon became quite thankful
for my efforts to tighten her labors.
Once l came across her watching in
the cleaning. How eerie it was under
the trees; the wind soughed through
the branches, bringing dash of rain;
deluge was in the black clouds
sweeping across the sky.
Il am anxious about my father"
she said, and she looked like a tall,
white lily that had been transplanted
to the wrong spot, and touched my
big. earth-stained fingers with her
fine, slim hand II am anxious about
him; though, since knowing you
have not felt so absolutely distressed,
for am glad to recollect that you are
within his call. You will stand be-
tween him and harm, think"
"Why, yes, Miss Amy; make your
mind easy OH that score; 'twould be
done With a will. But what harm is
like to come that you need worry
yOurself?'
''Ned," she cried, stopping suddenly
II had such a curious dream last night
I dreamed that 1 went down into the
valley beyond the wood, and there
saw my father lying upon the grass
sound asleep-so sound that I could
not wake him, while the clusters OF
wild flowers sprang Up so high that
they hid him, and heard the pines in
the distance chanting a solemn kind
of litany. I was crying when awoke
''You are too much alone, Miss Amy
and grow nervous"
"My father has be en- very fortunate
lately. has he not?' she asked.
''He has had some good finds, miss
and to-day he got hold of two rousinG
big nuggets"
II am glad. Will he bring them
home this evening? What's that?"
She sprang to the door. finging it
open, the glare of the lamp behind
her.
dearest father" she cried, sis il
your
But she broke off. alarm in hel
voice, exclaiming, Med! Nedv' fol
her father was not there, but two OF
the worst Of our lot-scamps for
whom hemp was growing; the one a
whose name was Phil Dawlish.
I remembered now, as saw him by
the flash of the light, that he as well
as I, had been near when the 'major'
held up the two great nuggets; and il
struck me-I'm quick at conclusions
that both scoundrels had not intended
to come up to the cabin, but were just
lurking about. What for?'
Miss Amy faced them steadily
though she had called me to her. and
asked what they wanted.
"Why, nothin' in particular, miss, y
sta1nmered Dawlish, lifting his ragged
straw hat with the politeness Of a
pickpocket, and a leer that. made me
tingle to kick him; @'oDly, is the
<'major" at homer ~
ttNo," she coolly replied, to show
that she was not frightened, but I
being close to her, could see that the
blood famed to her brows, under the
insulting gaze, rowing over her. ''Why
do you ask?"
"Just this, mum. Will you be sc
good as to tell him that me and my
nails eff to HultOn'S Aanch for a short