The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-03-22

enough for that yet 1 have made a
hell for you-and myself. The fell
low who keeps hell" he smiled, bit
terly, was never known to lead in
prayer; and l will not begin"
Logan possessed no facilities for en-
balming or preserving bodies, funerals
were usually held within twenty-four
hours after death. Tuesday morning
was the time fixed for the baby's
burial. An embarrassed delegation ex-
planned the cause of delay to the be-
wildered father and mother. Mrs.
Marvin rose, looked wildly at the self
constituted committee, and cried, shril-
": Nobody to pray over my babyl
Oh, my God, will nobody pray over my
baby? She was so little and so sweet.
She never hurt anybody. Will nobody
pray over my baby?"
Sw fifty she took the little body from
the bed, wrapped shawl about it, ran
through the door and down the street.
To gambler, cow-puncher and harlot-
everyone she met - she held out the
dead child, and said, beseechingly:
pray over my baby; for Gods sake,
pray over my baby!' Blind to fearful
appeals, deaf to persuasions and en-
treaties, she wandered on, repeating
the cry. At nightfall her husband led
her home; but through the long dark
ness she shrielzed, continuously: pray
over my baby; for Gods sake, pray over
my babyl"
Just before daybreak she quieted,
and the exhausted watchers slept.
While they slumbered she slipped out;
and all day Wednesday she wandered
and walled her sentence of entreaty.
Words were UNDECIDED and unheard.
The ravages of death, so plain to the
men and women who plead with her,
seemed unnoticed by the crazed
mother. 1t was an impOssibility to
get the child from her. She held her
three years old darling in a grip no
man could loose without rough ham
ding; and no man in Logan had heart
for violence. The town was sick of
soul. It was ten at night before they
got her back to the cabin. Then Buck
skin Bill wiped the cold sweat from
head and hands, and said to his mates:
IF something amt done quick, we
shall all be as crazy as she is"
All night they vainly talked and
planned. Thursday morning about
eight o'clock Jim Steele came on the
group at Wheeler's corner. He was ex-
cited and eager. Say. boys, I've got
it. You remember Scotch Ike"
"Yes. Quit sheep herdin' and went
over to South Pass to work his claim, I"
Bob Stedman answered, listlessly.
well, you know, he left the old
woman his mother - behind. Too
freezing cold over there. She lives out
here, five miles, by the creek"
Yes. Saw her in town last month
getting grub. How is that going to
help this layout"
Jim shouted in his exhilaration of
spirit: "Why, she's pious, don't you
see? Got a Bible-a big one. Saw
her reading it in the door last summer.
She can do the praying racket"
Bob's composure had been outwardly
undisturbed during those days of dire
strain; but there and then the hero of
five Indian fights whitened, muttered:
Thank God.' and tainted.
BY the time he was resuscitated half
Logan had heard the good tidings.
Bob and Bill and Tom and Jim were
the committee. Mrs. Marvin came
while they were getting their horses.
The news had reached her, and there
was a CLEAN of reason in her wild
eyes.
''She can't CO." said Jim.
Il will" she walled; they are going
to pray over my baby. Let me go!'
''She shall go. Hitch up, Marvin
Bob spoke as having authority, and
no man demurred.
The Scotch grandam sat in her door
way, rocking to and fro in the late
spring sunshine. She was short and
slender, with scanned face and faded
blue eyes, shaded by square-bowed
spectacles. Her shabby, black print
gown brought out her slight figure in
sharp relief. The men hung back; not
so the mother. Her black hair had
loosened in the wind, and hung about
her in an unkempt, tangled mass, as
she ran forward. She dropped on her