Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1900-01-11
} A Western Girls Story.

dence of my spirit, for my brothers
rugged countenance frightened up as
/ spoke.
We lived alone upon n solitary road,
miles away from any human dwelling
place, in one Of those antique, gable
ended farm houses which look so pic
turesque TO an artists eye in the sum-
mer time and so indescribably desc
late when. November gales are howl
ing around the chimney tops or win
ter SHOWS are heaping up their feath-
cry pearl upon the door-stone. We
that is, the old bed-ridden aunty, my
brother Robert and myself. AS f6r
a servant girl, dear me- when become
rheumatic or lost the use of my limbs
I.might need one. not before.
swell mind you don't let anyone in,
unless it is n neighbour" said Bob, but
toning up his shaggy overcoat and
lowering his voice so that Aunt Jemi-
ma should not hear his words, for
Aunt Jemima was apt to be seized
with fits Of nervous apprehension Ut the
most inconvenient times. Because,
you know, there are only two women
of you, and"
go along with yourself Bob, and
don't talk nonsense said 1, with an
air of dignity. "As if / wasn't quite
able to take care of myself without
your advice. Nobody has been here in
a week, and don't think the rush is
going to begin tonight"
.Sgrba IooHoH raVnluar IL IN fba TON
shelf next to the bag of hops and the
paper of dried catnip," added Bob,
land the big stick"
''I'll take the big stick to you, if
you don't clear out" cried l, merrily-
and so Bob mounted old Nanny and
trotted away.
We had just received a hundred dol
lars from the railroad people for the
years wood which Bob had cut
and hauled to the junction-a hundred
dollars, all in nice, clean, cracking
tens-and Bob and and Aunt Jemima
all agreed-for once entirely unani-
mous-that so much money ought not
to remain over night in the house.
Suppose there should be fire?"
said l.
Suppose gang of masked burglars
should break in"' suggested Aunt
Jemima, who had been reading the pa
pers.
Suppose the rats and mice should
gnaw their way into the old hair
trunk" said Bob.
So Bob was taking the hundred dol
lars to the Ottarsfeld Bank, twenty
miles away, over a rough and uneven
bride road! And l and Aunt Jemima
were left all alone.
."Dear me-" said Aunt Jemima,
"that's twice my needles dropped, and
stuck in the floor We're going to
have company"
II hope not" said l, with nothing
in the house but corn-bread and pork,
and dried apple-sauce''
"And there's a winding sheet in the
candle gloomily added Aunt Jemima,
who was addicted to harmless little
superstitions. somebody's going to
die"
Il think it's extremely likely" OBJ
4 served, with philosophy.
1--WE had creepy feeling down my
back all day" said Aunt Jemima, "just
as If some one was measuring me for
my shroud. Are you sure the doors
are all bolted Gertrudey
"Quite certain aunt. l bolted them
myself.
"And nails over all the windows?"
Every one of them. Come now,
aunty, dear, let me fix your hot drink,
and tie on your nightcap nicely. We're
just as safe as if there was n hollow
square of soldiery all around u.s."
But in spite Of my reinsurance, Aunt
Jemima persisted in going to sleep
with fiat-iron and two pokers under
her pillow.
And then, mercy on me, how she did
snore, to be sure.
L sat before the fire until past nine
O'Clock, finishing a pair o. gray mixed
stockings that l was knitting for Bob.
And then, rising with n yawn, looked
out of the windows. 1t was raining.
and
Merciful heaven. started back with
n low cry, as / saw n white, wild face
pressed suddenly against the outer
side of the pane-a face made paler
still by the contrast Of a heavy black
mustache, and hair the most raven Jet
ever saw.
My first impulse was to run and hide,
my second to face the matter out.
what do you wantT' asked, open.
ing the window a little way. who
are your"
Il am n belated traveller. 1 need
food-rest-rags to bind up my hurt
foot. SeeI' And then saw that one
of his feet was bleeding.
/ hesitated an instant. He perceived
my doubt.
s'You are afraid to let the vagrant
in," he said, bitterly. well, / dom
wonder much. But there's no danger
Let me in, as you have q dear father
or brother of your own. Give me bu
n crust of bread, n drink Of milk.
will go on my way with the earlies
dawn of morning." E
My decision was taken at once. Hi
pale face, his blood-stained foot, hi
piteous voice, so unlike the profes
sionaI whine OF the regular mendicant
all appealed to my womanly pity.