The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-06-25
By SYDNEY DAYRE.
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We'd ought to do something for that
how "Jack ~ eyes" "Well, mehbe
we will when we amt so drove with
work.
Jack was a boy who had turned mp no.
body knew where. 1t was known from
things he had dropped in conversation that
he had come with party across the
plains and that in the course of the long,
weary journey his mother had died. 1t
was guessed that his father must have cast
off and forsaken the boy as an undesirable
burden. All the summer he had been
hanging about the different small ranches
in the neighborhood, living as he best
could by what he received for chores and
odd jobs and sleeping in sheds or besides
stack of sweet alfalfa hay, but in
the lovely California climate, happy in the
light-heartedncss OF hoyhOod, thought it 40
hardship. Winter was approaching, how
ever, with its heavy rairs, ami chilly
nights. Mrs. Martin, whose heart hal
gone out in motherly kindness to the
friendGss hoy, felt that some one must
look after Jack.
lie was settling down to more lengthy
stays at her house. They lived on small
ranch just at the edge of canon, and Jack
liked the wildness of it because of its like
ness to his eastern home But the thing
which drew him most strongly to the
Martin home was the baby
at was bad Job" said Martin one day,
gazing in discouraged fashion at the
slight foundations Of his house, 81 hadn't
ought to built so near the canon But the
land was so good thought I'd save all
could of it for the fruit trees. That comes
of bein' too savir'.'
"Never mind" said his wife, eve re
goin' to build better next spring"
ayes. It's been good year and Pm no
end thankful for it. But must say wish
we'd got through the rains all safe l
guess me and Jackll bank up a good bit
this week.
The first rain had come-not very long
or cold one, as would he the case in the
winter. Jack still slept in a shed and Mrs.
Martin was troubled about it, but the tiny
house seemed to afford no corner already
filed so she was obliged to content her
self with giving him such bidding as abe
could spare, and with Jacks laughing as
surance: ''It's good enough for better
folks'n me-"
Az the leisure season was now or, Mr..
Martin was glad to hear of government
works going on some miles distant above
him a reservoir being built TO hold the
overflow Of watal with view to storing 1t
for irrigation of the low lying lands In
addition to the promise Of security to hia
house, it gave opportunity for getting
work, Of which many Of the poorer ranchers
were glad to avail.
''Id like you to stay about while I'm
gone, Jack" he said. and the boys heart
swelled with pride as he added: 81 want
you to look after things. Pm sure you'll
do it good and faithful"
Another long rain set in. Every day
Jack banked up his good and faithtur'
best, but, as the canon slowly filled after
the long summer drought was each morn
ing dismayed at the inro'is made by the
water.
"JaCk," said Mrs. Martin one morning,
'Pm gettin' little uneasy at the way
things looks.
"l'm feelin' that way myself agreed
Jack, who had just come in with dismay
in his heart from look at things outside.
'T've n great mind to 90 over to neigh
Dor Davidson s and ask ii they won't let us
stay with ZEN for few days, till the next
time Martin comes home. | hate to stay
without him"
couldn't go?'' asked Jack
'Well, I'd rather ask it myself. But
don't quite know what to do about Kitty.
It's too far to carry her-even il you went
to help me-"
"Leave Kitty with me, She'll stay all
right-won't you, Kitty"
Kitty replied with crow and spring
into his outstretched arms.
Thus encouraged Mrs Martin soon after
breakfast took her departure, saying in an
anxious tone: "Watch them banks well,
Jack. And know you'll be real good and
careful with Kitty. 1'll be back early this
evening"
An hour later Jack wished with all his
heart that Kitty was with her mother,
as he went out to resume the constant
work Of thanking up" At once he saw
that new condition of things had set in
The house near the canon stood on a knoll
the ground on the land side of it sinking
slightly. The water in the stream was
higher than he had before seen it, and he
now noted with alarm that at short dis
lance above the house some of it had LEFT
the main channel, and, turning into the
low, shifting sands, had cut between the
house and the laud, leaving it on an island.
Toward the close Of the day he saw that