The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-05-07


out while he was gone to the sto' for
nails. He amt goin' to miss it out OF
the main batch.'
The rumplus pullet, released from
confinement, stepped out near its mis-
tress. pecking at the oven, against the
rim of which few crumbs from the
last cooked bread stuck fast.
The pullet's red feathers stood up
mutinously; it was not prepossessing
in appearance. but Heartsie took it up
and stroked it gently. It's one Of the
four that was hand raised" she said.
That what make it come in here to
hide. That white hen what died on the
nest was its mother
a boy of about 10 years came in with
his arms full Of wood. He put his bur-
den down, then drew near one corner
of the fireplace and stood silent, look
ing into the flames.
is you hungry, bud:" asked his
grandmother. There's piece of corn
cake in the cupboard. Where's Boil
lump
Il left him in the branch. He had
jump rabbit replied the child.
That dog got sense" pronounced Mr..
Beckwith. He know when there amt
nothin' fresh in the house. If that clock
man had knowed he'd a carried Boil
lum off long wild the other things. You
see! If he don't fetch in rabbit to-
night he'll get one by sunup. He's suit
tingly KNOWN dog"
Humpy was asleep and Bollum, the
yellow spotted cur, dozed fitfully be-
fore the fire that night, but the excite
ment of the afternoon had banished
slumber from the eyes of Heartsie and
her spouse. They discussed and rediS-
cussed every phase Of the situation.
''Is you think to mention them things
to him, baby?" the old man asked.
Them things is rightly worth a heap
more than S15."
II amt crack my teeth on him about
en-" said his wife. Il just was all
timersome like for fear be would 90
s'arcllin' about and stumble on 'em. 1t
never 'curred to him though to look in
that old trunk with the cover all feared
loose and rags stickin out. He'd'a'
but it wouldn't have been for no pay he
would have took. He'd "a said as we
stealed them things and had US up be-
fore the trial justice-you as 'Specta
bic member in good standin' and me
what is always been held to be a right
eous livin woman. He'd a tooken that
ground sure!'
ln1; Oh !,
looking admiiingly at his quicker wit
ted partner. Il never thought Of that"
Mr.. Beckwth,' said Heartsie at
length in an impressive undertone. "Is
got notion that them things is q car
ryin' US to the devil. rs pondera ted on it
now long time. when you amt had no
notion | was ponderat tin, and accordin'
to my stakin' off we won't have no let
up this goin' down hill were doin' till
we gets rid of them things for good and
all. Amt we work hard this year every
day the Lord send:" she went on.
Oats what we DONE" affirmed her
spouse.
We'll. Amt we try our best las
year,"
Dat we did"
And de year before that: Amt we
always been hard workin', and amt
everything gone against us? The chol-
era KILN off us hogs and fowl and
tings and skippin' other peoples: Our
COW crackin' Of her neck in the ditch
and Black Sally just naturally gittin'
poorer and more periSh-a way lookin,
the more feed we give her: Till the boss
say we can't keep her no longer? Amt
all this what tellin' you precisely so:"
Mr.. Beckwith nodded. His pipe had
long since gone out and he did not
know it.
We'll. Mark my words" emphasiz-
ing them with uplifted finger, Just SO
long as that candlestick and that
breastpin and that piece of watch chain
stay there in that trunk where they is
the old boys goin' to follow u.s.
MIR. Beckwith groaned with excess Of
interest and belief.
We'll. what kin we do?' he asked,
helplessly. Filing 'em away: Bury
'em, what: If We was to try to sell
'em we'd git took up
IuS Gil bui Gil. IT,
peated his wife. What good would
that do: Uriah Beckwith, there's no
such a thing as 'tonement, 'tonement
| for wrongdoin'! If we could hit on a
plan to have them things go back to the
family they b'longs to the old boy
| would quit nOticin' of us so close and
! particular. We's in a worse fix than
we ever been in yet tonight, and if we
don't watch out plaques worse than
the white preacher tell about is 'goin
to 'stroy us finally"
But the family all is dead or else
! move off even the house burn down
and the land sell or goin' to be SELL
said Mr.. Beckwith.
Il know Uriah. what was it the ole
boss used to think more of than any
thing else sides good eatin' and drink
in and he wife and children: -
"a good horse" ventured Uriah. Hi:
wife looked diSdainful.
His hounds, fishin:" Heartsie shoOl
her head.
Il dunno, less zen you mean his mig
gers. Since you talk bout givin' Of th'