Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-04-15
DAylD'S BABY.
BY ELLA r. MOSBY.

/ Tic mluiptCi WIG anu MIS- DioVn
one Of his outlying parishioners, a
mountaineer from one of the steepest
ind widest peaks Of the ridge. Her
husband had died in the great snow
storm of the past winter, and David, her
only boy, was her sole prop and stay.
Mrs. Wilmot thought suit Of clothes
would not come amiss, even If second
hand
But what was "a common size" for
boys? In Mrs. Wilmot's experience
they were of all sorts and sizes. Her
mind reverted to Richard. her long boy,
and his Aunt Ellen's frequent entreaty:
"Richard, my dear, uncross few Of
your legs!" to Robin, head shorter,
who was now crumpled up in heap
over "Stories of Lion Hunting in South
africa" and John, round. rol,-poly
of q boy-and she looked slightly per-
picked.
"No'm, he amt to say big, nor yit
small; he's jest common-sized boy,
betwixt and between"
Mrs. Wilmot, in despair, went after
the clothes, and saw by the delight IN
his mothers eyes as soon as she saw
them that they might at least be worn
by David.
"I'm mo- than thankful, ma'am."
Her voice trembled, and Mrs. Wilmot
FASTENED to ask
Haven't you little girl, too?"
"Thar's two gals-Lucy. she's goin'
on seven, and the baby; the folks calls
her sDavid's baby he's so goodnatured
with her. l never see boy so TUX up
with baby befo'. She amt mite of
trouble when he's round" and her
hard-worked, thin, worn face looked
quite illumined by her smile of pride
and delight.
Robin let his book fall. "Are there
any bears on Priests mountain" he
asked, suddenly.
"Oh, nonsense!" said his mother; but
Mrs. Brown answered seriously:
"Ef it's mild winter, mebbe you
won't see one; but in long freeze
they'll come right low down the noun
tain. They don't ginerally attack hui
mans; the damage they does mostly is
to young creeturs-pigs and sech
things. seed one myself; twas in the
summer, too, three or TO years ago;
and don't want to see another"
"Tell me about it," said Robin, com.
ing over to the chair next hers.
swell, twas long, hot spell, and I'd
gone out to git blackberries. Mos OF
'em was leetle and dry with tie drouth,
but jest above my head on long ledge
of rocks see big clump of brers, all
hanging with berries, big juicy berries,
ez shiny ez silk | kin see 'em
now. put my hand out to
pull the nearest branch down, and
then heerd a growl-there amt much
more unpleasant noises than a growl
or hiss, in the woods, kin tell ye!
Thar stood a big bar just on 'tother
side O the blackbcries, shown his
teeth in an ugly sort O grin. didn't
stop to have no words bout the berries
in fact, there was mighty few berries
ip my basket when ] got home, ! came
so fast. Them was the finest berries on
the mountain" she added, regretfully;
"big and shiny and sweet-lookin', and
Jest burstin' with juice; and hadn't
fa'rly teched 'em when ! heard that
grtwl"
"Would he have showed fight If you
had stayed?" inquired Robin, eagerly.
Mrs. Browns eyes twinkled.
II didn't keer to argy point with
him." she answered.
"What other wild beasts live near
your" pursued Robin in tone of posi-
tive envy.
"Why, squirrels anc possums and
foxes, and wildcats-it do sound mighty
lonesome to hear 'em cry! Ireckon the
woods is right full O prowlin' varmints
after nightfall."
"But you have Dave to take care OF
you," said Mrs. Wilmot.
"Yesm; and he's tolerable strong
fur boy. He kin shoot, too, mos ez
well ez his uncle. He's been takin'
David out huntin' with him this spring
ard summer"
A few weeks after this talk David
hustled into the mountain cabin at
"sundown" in great excitement.
"Hello, Sissy!"--to Lucy - there,
honey!"-to the baby, who was hugh-
ing and gurgling with delight to see
him-"Brother will take you in min
ute-jest ez soon ez he kin wash his
hands,"
David Brown was a plain, freckled.
faced boy, so tanned that his skin was
several shades darker than his faxen
hair and pale eyes; but the sweetness
and good humor Of his homely face
made it a pleasant sight to more than
"David's baby" Everybody on the
mountain liked David, from the gruf
mountaineers themselves down to their
ours that snapped and snarled at almost
everyone else. As he whistled to the
baby, who was now changing her rap.
furious noises to a more imperative de.
mand, Spot his own "yaller dog"
watched his every movement with his