The Flagstaff sun-democrat., 1897-02-25
"DOCS" STORY.

The Hush" was in his best humor when he joined the evening group at the Alfalfa European hotel. He had enough of morning penitence left in him to make him grave and even dignified. At the same time he had started in upon an evening accumulation, and had al- ready become warmed into that friend ly mood which helps one to realize that all men are brothers.
 Good evening, gentlemen" said the ~lush," and he said it as if it were the preliminary to an oration.
 Good evening, sir; good evening"" re- sponded Doe" Horne, with a slight in clination of the head.
 "Sit down and make yourself miser- able" said the lightning dentist, who could be entertaining at times.
 Come join the feast of reason and the flow of soul," added the book agent, who could be original, if not enter taining.
 "Sure, that's right" added the bi- cycle salesman.
 The Hush" seated himself and asked ''Well, gentlemen, what is the subject under discussion?"
 "We were just talking about the cold weather, and saying that it must be pretty tough on some people" said the lightning dentist.
 "There's nothing personal in this, is there?" asked the ''lush."
 Certainly not" said the lightning dentist, laughing. Doe" Horne chuckled, and the large book agent smiled in a conservative manner, as if he feared to compromise his profess sional dignity.
 The bicycle young man was puzzled. He did not see why the laugh came in, so he settled back in his chair and tried to think it out. The task was long and difficult, for he said but few words during the remainder of the evening.
 "I don't think there is so much sui fering, now that the weather has mod erated," said the ''lush."
 "I hope not" said Doe" Horne. "It's n terrible thing to be cold and hungry for days at time. I can tell you that. if any of you gentlemen ever go through what I did you'll appreciate that fact, too."
 "How's that, Doc"" asked the ''lush."
 "I thought I had told you of my ex- perience in the winter of CT and '6s, when I was moose hunting with Gen. Foster up in Canada. No? We'll, we had a party of gentlemen from New York and Philadelphia with us. The weather was bitterly cold, but we were living in the generals hunting lodge and we managed to keep comfortable. One day was out with party, and we were up on the Sessikoochee river"
 "W'at's the name, 'Doc?'" asked the lightning dentist.
 "The eSessikoochee-Indi name, you know. It means lofty pines.' I had two New York gentlemen with me, and we were tracking moose-had been on the trail for several hours. Icrossel the river on the ice to take up what seemed to be a new trail, and got sep arated from my two friends. suppose I was intent on following this trail, anu tha' D "hy pau So to the weather. The first thing I knew the snow began to fall, and discov- cred that the sky was overcast. with every indication of blizzard. started back along the trail, but in ten min utes the air was filled with blinding snow and the wind was blowing per feet hurricane among the trees. Of course it was impossible to see very far in any direction. but kept on. and thought I was going toward the river. l knew if struck the river could find the house all right. Darkness came on -I had no idea it was so late-and the wind came from the northwest and cut me to the very bone. I walked and walked and walked, but didn't come to the river. and then realized that probably had been walking away from 1t all the time. Of course my inclina- tion was to sit down and rest, but I knew didn't dare to do that or I'd freeze to death."
 "It must have been awful" said the bicycle young man.
 "Well, it wasn't any pleasure excur- sion. Fortunately found hollow tree where I could coil myself. got in there and wrapped my fur coat around me, and managed to keep fairly warm