Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-02-07

for the likes of you, and-and"-
 And you couldn't wash yourself, |" interrupted his companion gravely, star ing up at his grimy visage.
 "No, nor drink. And MT. Bender, he was the first to go, and then Indian Pete, and then Mrs. McGregor, and then Johnny Homes. and then. dearie. your mother.
 "Then mothers a deader, too, cried the little girl, dropping her face in her pinafore and sobbing bitterly.
 ''Yes. they all went except you and me. Then 1 thought there was some chance of water in this direction, so l heaved you over my shoulder, and we tramped it together. It don't seem as though we've improved matters. There's an almighty small chance for us now"
 Do you mean that we are goin to die. too?" asked the child, checking her sobs and raising her tear stained face.
 II guess that's about the size of it. "
 Why 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.
 Yes, you will, dearle.
 And you too. I'll tell her how awful good you've been. I'll bet she meets us at the docr of heaven with big pitcher of water and lot of buckwheat cakes, hot and toasted on both sides, like Bob and me was fond of. How long will it be first:"
 II don't know-nOt very long. The mans eyes were fixed upon the northern horizon. In tue blue vault of the heaven there appeared three little specks, which increased in size every moment, so rap idly 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 over looked them. They were buzzards, the vulturcs of the west, whose coming is the forerunuer of death.
 Cocks aud hens," cried the little girl gleefUi!y, pointing at their ill omencd fo-nls and clapping her hands to make them rise Say, did God make this country:
 Tn course he did, " said the compan- ion, rather startled by this unexpected question.
 He made the country down in Hi nois, an he Inadn the Missouri, the lit tie girl continued Il guess somebody else made the country in these parts. It's not nearly so well done, They forgot the water and the trees.
 What would ve think of offering up prayer" the man asked diffldently. 1t ain't night yet. " she answered It don't matter. It ain't quite reg ular. but he woat mind that, you bet You say over lh, in onts that you used to say every night ill the wagon when We was on the plains
 Why don't you say some yourself:' the child asked. with wondering eye. II Gisrtmpmhcr them, " he answered. II hain't said hone since 1 was half the height Q that gun. guess it's never too late. You say them out. and I'll stand by and come in on the ChoruSes. ''
 Then you i! need 10 kpeel down. and me. too. " she said, laying the ,Aawl out for that purPoS. "Tou've got 10 put your hands up like this IT makes you feel kind Of good. '
 Itwas a strange sight, h1d there been anything but the buZZards to see 1t. Side | by side on the narrow shawl knelt the two wanderers. the little prattling child and the reckless. hardened advCnturer. | Her chubby face and his hagg2rd. an. | gular vi<age were both turned up U the cloudlesS heaven in heartfelt ensreaty tC | that dread being with whom they were face to face. while the two voices-the one thin ard clear. the other deep and harsh-united in the entreaty for mercy and forgiveness. The prayer finished, they resumed their seat in the shadow tf the howlder, until the child fell asleep. nesting upon the broad breast ot her protector. He watched over her slumber for some time, but nature proved to be too strong for him. For three days and three nights he had allowed him self neither rest nor repose Slowly the eyelids dropped over the tired eyes. and the head sunk lower and lower upon the breast until the mans grizzled beard was mixed with the golden tresscs of his companion. and both slept the same deer and dreanIless slumher
 Had the wanderer remained awake for another half hour strange sight would have met his eyes Far away or tha ex:rema verge of the alksli plain there rose up lU,' ,.' onst. yer, slight at first A,uI-: is; sc Gistin guished from tn. i..' 4 'Mu distance but gradually ..:.,.!t: higher anC broader until 1t icrla;d a solid, we'll de fined cloud This cloud continued to ill crease in size ui.til u became eviden that it could only be Iaised by grea multitude of moving creatures. In nor fertile spots the observer would hay, come to the conclusion that one of thos great herds Of biSnuS which graze upol the prairie land was approaching him This was obviously impossible in thes arid wildS. As the whirl of dust drev nearer to the solitary bluff upon whicl the two castaways were reposing tn canvas covered tilts of wagons and tn figures of armed horsemen began to shoy up through the haze, and the apparitiol revealed itself as being a great caravan upon its journey for tho west. But wha caravanl When tho head of it ha' reached the base of the mountains. tn rear was not yet visible on the horizon Right across the enormous plain stretch ed the struggling array, wagons an carts. men on horseback and men ol foot, innumerabls women who stag gered along under burdens and childrel Who toddled beside the wagons or peep ed out from under the white coverings This was evidently no ordinary party c immigrants, but rather some nomad peO pie who had been compelled from stres of circumstances to seek themselves new country. There rose through tn clear air a confused clattering and rum bling from this great mass of humanity with the creaking of wheels and tn neighiDg horses. Loud as it was, it wa not sufficient to rouse the two tire wayfarers above them