The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-27
TINE RICH "AUNr SALLY..
A Story of the Youngest Miner In Lonely
Guleh

lie was a wan, thin-faoed. freckled-
messed hoy with hair about the color
on putty, and warts on his hands. lie
was very poorly dresser. Ana ne was
lie sat on the doorsteps OF little
log cabin half way up Lonely Cullen,
In the great, grim La Plata country.
The huge mountains round ABOUT seemed
to frown down on the poor, little, defence
less mite sitting there, wondering what
was 10 become OF him, now that the
only parent he had ever known was
dead. His father, a rough character,
had been shot the night before In
drunken brawl down at Tim Briariy's
saloon Jimmy had been wakened in
the early dawn by heavy knock on the
door, and rising, scared and trembling,
no answer It. had seen a group of
on the rude bunk which served for their
bed.
I'm their rough but kindly way the men
had tried to console Jimmy. who had
loved his wretched yagabond father be-
cause he was all he had 10 love. But
the child was naturally timid and bash
ful, and so he had crept out or the cabin,
and. sitting on the steps, had watched
the day break over the great white gilt
tering wall OF mountains, and wondered
forlornly what was TO become of him
now tnat his miserable home was broken
up.
TO be sure, Slippery Ike had told him
he could 20 down to his ranch and
stay awhile, but he shrank from the man,
he could scarcely tell why. There was
such an unpleasant glitter I'm slippery
Ike's cold, black eyes 1t reminded him
of the look he had once seen in rattle
snakes eyes as he coiled to strike at
him. No, he could not 20 TO live with
him. Then Mike the Corker had asked
him how he would like TO run errands for
him at the dance hall. but Jimmy knew
Mike was a cruel man, and he feared
his brawny hand and so he had avoidei /
him and crept out TO think over his fu-
ture.
As he sat there, shivering in the
clear. cold morning air, he saw some
one come toiling up the canyon. 1t was
a woman, very plainly dressed. She had
shawl was folded over her broad shout
ders, and her bonnet was curious at
fair many years behind the style. But
the face that looked, out from under 1t
was kind and motherly, the mouth had a
gentle smile, and the eyes looked at
Jimmy full of sympathy.
"It's Aunt Sally" said the boy as he
saw her. and. rising, he went forward to
meet her
Aunt Sally Slows was the mother OF the
mining camp. She cooked for many of
the miners, and, If any of the boys were
in trouble, they always went to her 10 he
advised and assisted. She had cabin
corral down at the foot of one of the
highest peaks, near a wild, rushing,
foaming stream that came tumbling down
from the mountains. She owned six
horses and two cows Besides. she had
ducks and chickens. The lemon pie she
made was famous through that country,
and such cookies as no boy ever tasted
before came out of her oven. Altogeth-
er. she was a very desirable friend, and
Jimmy felt his sad little heart grow light
er even with one look at her.
MY poor boy" was all she said, but
she put both arms around the homel",
desolate little lad and gave him a good
hug; then, keeping ii corner OF her warm
woollen shawl over his thin, tattered
Jacket, she walked him right back into