The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-07-09

roaring, small boys shouting and men
storming or rejoicing over the admission |
OF Texas to the Union, Harold waited on |
his uncouth charge and attended to the |
horses in almost unbroken silence.
As the man showed signs of improve.
ment Harolds spirits arose, and his mind
had leisure to wander off to oil the Inde.
pendent days he had known since he wore
frooks and reveled in 6H cents worth OF
gingerbread. Then he thought over the
Revolution and the stories his grandmother
had told him OF her sufferings in both
wars. From them he passed to the posi-.
BILE war with Mexico, and as he raised the
shaggy head of the sick man and moistened
his lips with water he wondered II he were
right in sacrificing his time and safety for
one who might prove most cruel enemy
to his oountrymeu. We're 1t not better to
leave him to fatef But fate meant God to
Harold, and, argue as he would, he could
not drown a voice which pleaded, "If
thine enemy hunger, feed him; II he thirst
give him drink" And when night came
and the man was much stronger, though
not we'll enough to sit up, Harold told him
he would stay one more night and day
with him.
"You understand have no money! 4
have nothing to pay2" asked the Mexican
in astonishment
"I don't do it for pay" said Harold
hastily. IL do II for the sake of man
who died for me-"
"He surely was n Mexican" /" muttered
the other as he turned on his side to sleep.
In tho morning the man was able to sit
up, at noon he walked n fow steps, and at
sunset TO Harold's infinite relief, he in
sisted upon being placed on his pony, So
Harold saddled the pony, assisted its rider
to mount, and they parted in the dusk at
the edge of the wood.
"You save my life. remember" said
the Mexican.
"Then you be kind to the Yankees" " re.
turned Harold, and they saw each other
no more.
This third night of Harold's journey
was spent in thinking over the events of
the past few days and in speoulating about
the unknown uncle he was soon to meet
When the morrow's sun arose, he saw the
city in the distance, and at noon was sit.
ting on the veranda beside his uncle's
couch telling him all that was in his heart.
The next spring came and Harold was
again In the saddle with the stars bending
over him and the tender grass and flowers
beneath his feet. But he noticed not stars
or flowers, for the little homo in the set
Element filed all his thoughts. He smiled
in the darkness--this one nights ride,
then no more anxious watching, no more
painful listening.
But what was this strange silencef
Everything had been perfectly quiet be-
fore, but now the silence could be felt.
He drew the rein and turned his head
Instantly the air was rent with yells, and
many dark forms sprang from the earth
and surrounded him. He grasped his pis.
tolls, but they were wrenohed from him,
and he was dragged to the ground and his
arms pinioned behind him.
After the first outcry silence again
reigned, and noiselessy they led him to a
wood Here he found that he had missed
his way; thoughts of home had confused
him, and he had wandered too far to the
westward. Without word they led him
| to clear space where fire was burning
| low, with women and children gathered
around It. A little apart, in lodges OF
bushes, the forms of several men reclined.
| Here his guard fell back and the women
and children surrounded him, pulling his
hair, slapping his face, pinching and bit,
ing him until his soul grew faint with
longing for DEATH He never knew how
long this continued, for suddenly man
sprang to his side and, drawing a long
knife from the back of his neck, flourishcC
1t above his head.
Father in heaven, save mel" groanet
Harold as everything grew dark around
him.
But the knife was still swinging abovl
his head, and the Indians were listening
respectfully to an address its owner wa:
making TO them. With many grunts o.
approval they moved farther and farther
from him. Then the knife cut Harold g fet
ters, and he turned to face his resouer. Il
was the same degraded countepance thai
he had so anxiously watched over nearly
year age, but now it appeared like the facC
of an angel.
"You save my life, now I save you
llfe," briefly explained the Mexican. 81
am chief of the Touchewas. They do al
tell them. Eat with me, and will sont
the young men to show you short patti
home"
Sitting down with the chief to partak,
of the food which the women graciousl,
brought to him, Harold strove hard Il
show his appreciation of the hospitality
but his throat was so parched and hi
hands SO unsteady that eating was only
pretense.
AT the close OF the meal Harold's hors'
was brought, his pistols restored, his bal
filled with food, and q basket Of trinket
presented to him by tho women. Thel
the young men mounted their horses, t,
act as his escort, and, with widely differen
feelings from those with which he entered
he followed his guides from the clearing
turning for one shuddering glance at tn
smoldering fire.
At last his guides pointed out his patl
and galloped back, leaving him to rid
over the beautiful flowers that he Nigh
never have seen again. At noon he say
tho settlement; then he distinguished tn
long, low house and Paul Jeaning over til
gate. In five minutes more he had kisse,
them oil again, but it was years before b
told them of his adventure with tn
Touchewas. Christian Work.