Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-08-10
DAUGHTER.
BY Edward Hatton.

AauO, anu Inc rush tnoHo WAS AN
mense.
The riff-raff from the country fol-
miles around soon drifted down near
Buford, many of the gold-seekers
even coming from as far as California
was one of the roughs, but l was
not quite as crude as mcst of my asso-
ciates.
Upon my arrival 1 found established,
near our camp, military-looking gem
tleman, Of dignifed appearance, ener-
getic movement, and quick, measured
tread. His keen dark eyes seemed to
take in fellow at glance, especially
II 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 wild
over, and had really been captain
inthe Confederate army. At the close
| of the conflict he had but a few hun
! bred dollars out of a once large for
| tune. DiSliking to have his poverty
known, and daily commented upon by
those who We're acquainted with him
In his prosperity, he left his Southern
home, and with his only child, a
daughter, wandered to Colorado.
Major" Waring and his daughter
occupied q rude adobe cabin on the
edge of mule Road, far removed from
the other cabins or tents.
The major" and | were working
adjacent claims, and became we'll ac-
Quainted. He seemed to be less tact
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 humble 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 iashy ornaments usually worn by
the women seen around mining
camps; her hair coiled smooth about
her head, shone like black satin.
This is one of my-chums, my
DEAR" said the major" with his soft
voice and smile
Since then l had often hung about
the cabin after work. fetched water
and wood, and did such odd jobs as
were not f1t for her, saying no word;
but she soon became quite thankful
for my efforts to Tighten her labors.
Once / came across her watching in
the cleaning. How eerie ii was under !
the trees; the wind soughed through /
the branches, bringing a dash OF rain; /
q deluge was in the black clouds I
sweeping across the sky.
II 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 | I
have not felt so absolutely distressed, /
for | am glad to recollect that you are 4
within his call You will stand be
tween him and harm, think"
Why, yes, Miss Amy; make your
mind easy on that score; 'twould be
done with a will But what harm is
like to come that you need worry
yourselfT'
Ned" she cried, stopping suddenly,
81 had such a curious dream last night.
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 / 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. | was crying when l awoke.
You are too much alone, Miss Amy,
and grow nervous"
MY father has been very fortunate
lately, has he not?" she asked.
He has had some good finds, miss:
and to-day be got bold of two rousing
big nuggets"
II am glad. Will he bring them
home this evening? What's thatY'
She sprang to the door, finging it
open, the glare of the lamp behind
her.
Dearest father" she cried, "is it
you?
But she broke off, alarm in her
voice, exclaiming, med! Nedv' for
ler Iatner was not there, but two of
the worst Of our lOt-scamps for
whom hemp was growing; the one a
sailor, the other a smart, slim chap,
whose name was Phil Dawliah.
/ remembered now, as saw him by
he fash of the light, that he. as well
rs |, had been near when the major ;
leld up the two great nuggets: and 1t
struck me-I'm quick at conclusions
hat both scoundrels had not intended
o come up to the ca bin, but were lust !
urking about. What for?'
Miss Amy faced them steadily,
hough she had called me to her, and
lsked what they wanted. /
why, nothin' in particular miss" :
hammered Dawlish, lifting his ragged
itraw hat with the politeness Of a r
,ickpocket, and leer that made me !
ingle to kick him; "onIy, is the !
major" at homer :
NO" she coolly replied, to show n
hat she was not frightened. but /
'eing close to her, could see that the
Hood famed to her brows, under the
DsultlnR gaze rowing over her. "Wby
o you ask?' :,
Just this, mum. VIII you be so
God as to tell him that me and INV p
ais eff m TnIfnpBe Anx.t -"