Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-12-14

good, we got to try some other kind"
"Sech as sliootin' an burnin'," old Ike
suggested, rubbing his hands together
and smiling with satisfaction. That's
the sensible plan, every time, you bet"
Jake was about to make a further
statement, but he was interrupted by
the appearance Of a little boy who came
running across the prairie from the d.
rection of the old wagon. He was a
small. scrawny mite OF humanity.
poorly clothed. and with great, hollow.
hungry-looking eyes. When he reached
the ranch he approached the cowboys
hesitatingly. and. stopping before them,
stood silently lingering his coat. A
moment passed, during which the cow
boys eyed the child curiously, then
Old Jake stepped forward and said:
"Wal. little 'un. what yo' want?"
The child lifted his eyes timidly to
the rough, bearded, sunbronzed old
face. that. though firm aud stern. was
not altogether cold, and in weak, fal-
tering tones replied:
"Plense, sir. my ma is sick, an there's
nobody but me an her; an some men
come an throwed this paper in the
wagon, an l don't know what to do.
They want us to 60 away, an we're
ofraid they'll burn our wagon and hurt
us II we stay, but we can't 60 now. be-
cause my ma amt able to travel"
The little 10y got SO far, then broke
down and began to sob. The cowboys
exchanged sheepish glance, aUG
looked very solemn, but remained si-
lent. After little while the child
looked up again into old Jake's face
and in pleading tones continued:
"Please, SIR" he said. you won't let
the men hurt us, will you? We won't
stop there long, an we don't want none
OF the land, an as soon as my ma gifts
better We'll go away. We didn't mean
to stay here at all, but were going back
east"
No one said anything for almost q
minute. then old Jake reached down
and took the child's hand in his, and
drew it toward him.
"Leetle chap" he said, "is yo' ma
much bad sick ?'
"Yes. sir" he replied. "I'm afraid she
is"
Then she ort to have some doctor
right off, ortn't she?"
"Yes, sir; but don't know where
there is any,"
81 know whar thar's some"
Jake's tones were 80 kind and gentle
that the child took fresh courage, and
looking up into his face again he cried:
"You won't let those men burn our
wagon an drive us away, will you?"
Before jake could reply old Ike came
forward and, laying his hand on tine
boys head, spoke up, promptly:
"Leetle chap" he said. don't yo' be
skeered bout them low-life, onery ras-
Gals what throwed that paper in the
wagon, cause they're not goin' to both
er long O. you an yo' ma. I'll see TO
that, yo' bet yo' hide, an II any ybody's
got anything to say agin II I'd jest like
TO hear 'em speak out"
Old Ike squared himself around. with
his right hand on his pistol, and glured
defiantly at his companions, as II he ex-
pected them to raise storm Of oppcsi-
| tion.
'Ike, yo' blamed fool" jake replied,
"aiE t yo got no sense? Who yo' reckon
is goin' to kick up fuss bout 20 stand
in by the leetle feller an his pore lick
ma? Don't yo' low we all goin' to stan
by 'em?"
AS old Jake ceased speaking he
walked off towards the wagon, leading
the child.
We'll jest go down." he said. IAN
take leetle look around an see what
yo' ma needs mostly"
Old Ike and the others followed, but
when they drew near to the wagon
they stopped and waited while Jake
and the little boy went in. A pale. sad
featured woman lay stretched in the
rear Of the wagon suffering from the
drcadfully enervating effects OF ma
| laria. She was in semi-conscious
/ tate. and when her eyes, in their list
! .1ss rowing. rested on Jake's bearded
face. she started up with a little cry
Of terror.
They've come and are going to burn
the wagon" she said. "Oh. please"
"Yo' Jest rest easy an don't he skeered
now, lady Jake interrupted, in re.
assuring tone. Nobody ain't goin' to
bother yo' the least bit, cause thar's
five O. us men, an we'll stand by yo'
to the last. Yo' Jest rest easy, cause
yo' all right"
Jake left the wagon and the child
followed him. lie took his hand and
led him little distance away where
they could converse without the wou-
an hearing them.
"Leetle 'un," Jake began. ~ reckon
yo' pa is dead, amt hep"
"Yes. sir" he answered. HE died
more than year ago out west where
we'd took up a claim"
"Yo' ma, reckon. stayed thar awhile,
then give up the claim an started back
to her folks?"
"Yes, SIR"
"Whar do her folks live?"
ain Missouri"
"Haint thar nobody that she knows
nearer nor thnt?"
NO, sir; I guess not. There is man
out here somewhere, though, that I've