The morning times., 1896-11-15
STERN FIGHT WITH COLD AND HUNGER.
By HAMLIN GARLAND.

| the ground. 1 couldn't stand up any
more. The dog wouldn't leave me.
Couldn't seem TO see the shanty, or
| wouldn't Jest snaked along on his belly
| like me.
"On, but ached to get hold o. that lazy
devil, sleepin' in that shanty. / knew he
was sleepin'.
II got up within nearly twenty rods,
and heard him sngin'-think ofit-singin'
an me dyin' out there ON the grass-singn'
with his mouth stretched like u dirty alli-
gators. When crawled to the doorsill If
I'd had an AK I'd a-killed him. could
only Jest whis er, but cussed him.
Hello, joint Where'd you come from.'
Come from? Blank-hlank your ieatll-
er head. If I'd had gun I'd shoot you into
cullinder. Come from? Why, You blank,
blanked, druwsy cherub. I've been out there.
in plain sight all day, an If you'd abeen
out doors once you'd a-seen me. Give me
somethin' to kill you with, You blank,
blank idiot. Give me somethin' To eat, YOU
mushy-headed imp, an giveit tome quick
you slumpin', slutherin' swine.'''
The old man grew retrospectively savage
as il all came back TO him. He was an alb
surd mngiing OF the tragic and the comic
sitting there with his two stiff legs laid out
on chair and the light of a remembered
fury in his eyes. He was supcrbly dra-
matte rs he turned upon me- who was
WIN oi
20, I'd a-kIiled him, shore, If / could
reached him." the ferocity faded out of
his race as lie resumed musingly:
He'd been havin' Il stew OF beef and
potatocs, an lie set that before me
looked at IL, and how much do you sup
pose ct? Not mouthful, 1 couldn't
Swalier shred Of it. That scared me.
- jim / says to him, it's too late.
ain't got any stomach left
&" oh, John, for Gods sake, it can't
be-
:. Yes, it is,' 1 says 4 can't touch ii.
Take 1t away: ] can't lear the sight o.
it
We'll, sir; locked at him an he looked
at me. 1t was shore all up with old John
e 1 amt had anything to eat for about
ten days 'ceptin' a little crackcr'n' bread
| says, but / can't eatr
Then all Of a sudden | thought of to-
bacco. Got any chewin'?'
Shore he says, and handed me n
plug. look>a chew and it tasted good.
| chewed for about two minutes, then
all at once my appetite came back ~
Here MS face grew Set and he made a
delineative gesture.
IF cat'd a-come by IDA ct il, fur
an all,'
II grabbed piece o. meat, then I saws
Hold on, John! There's danger o. YOUR
k'tiln' yourself.' So laid out n chunk o.
1''- "'oet ue piS as your IlSC, ana mad
potatoes. an says to Jim:
jim, Will that kill me. Think
Wel.' Jim says, it's a pretty big
dose, but guess you're good for it,
Wen, now, you take the rest of that
grub an put 1t away an don't let me
nave another hunk. If ! make a fuss.
tie me- He said all right an fell to
l polished the plate in few minutes
and was wild for more, but Jim put me
10 bed. i cussed little, but got drowsy
and didn't know any more till the next
day noon. l was all right in two days--
rode into Flagstaff and provisioned up
and went back to the canon But / knew
better than TO winter on the rim any more.
'VhenSnow comes no W Ihave everything
ready down there, and in four hours / can
drop down where snow flake never laid
/ can sit 10 the door o. my tent an see
the clouds a-biie around up here and know
they can't do me an the cats any harm
It's great old shelter, that hole in the
groUnd.''
He looked at 1t with loving eyes. then as
he tried to shift his legs, he groaned
IN ride that mule off the cliff, shore
the first day can hit the saddle"
As write these lines he is probably deem
In his canon, listening to the imperious
Voice OF the river, seeing the mesquite trees
culver in the tickle winds. boyc him rise
the mighty peaks and domes and walls.
winter clouds collect and roll against the
upper ciiffS, and shake out cir SHOWS. hut
John is secure to sharpen his pick and have
the seams OF solid gold unspied upon by
enyioUS eyes. -