The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-29
seg2E7e7s fS E THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

& g $ $ s se Ss < s: 'e;s3s The sun shone down hot and parchins upon the lonely canvas covered wagon that slowly wound its way across the burning sands towards the village of Bear Creek The pantiag horses. wet with dirty foam, labored heavily as the awkward wagon moved slowly along A tall, lean man with short, stu5by whiskers sat holding the lines. and urged on the tagging steps of the tired animals. From within the covered body came the croo1ed the sweet melody of some old fashioned hymn. Suddenly the singing ceased.
 Are we almost therer' she asked, with tired hopefulness in her voice. A head appeared from behind the flap or the curtain. It was rather pretty head, with its wealth of dark brown hair.
 Are we almost there?' she asked again, pushing her elbows out upon the front seat. The man looked around with
 ''Yes," he said. Do you see them low, squatty houses yonder?" The wo- man nodded assent. Well, that's hit" he said. as he touched her cheek affec- tionately. He spoke with slow drawl: his words dropping as if with studied weight.
 Tn a few minutes the wagon entered the narrow, lane-like street. lined with its rough log huts. At the first sight of the white canvas in the distance the inhabitants of Bear Creek had collected to watch the growing speck and to In dulge in curious speculation as to it's occupants.
 'It's one 'er them fellers ter work at ol' Jim Crawford's, I guess said a rough-looking individual of capacious girth. in here like bees uv late." replied an- other.
 It was evident that the people of Bear Creek bore no special good will towards "OP Jim Crawford
 As the horses drew the wagon along between the rows of people on either side of the street the man on the. seat was greeted by many waves of the hand walk near a small group of men: Ken yer tell me ther way to Jim Crawford s?' he asked politely. A frown spread over the face of the men. For minute TO one spoke. The man on the wagon wait ed expectaEtly.
 "Jim Crawford's Is right up thar" fin- ally answered a stout young fellow throwing up his open hand with n.le take the fork hand" A laugh from the crowd greeted his rough jest. The man on the wagon showed slight red tinge under the swarthy tan of his face.
 Il aint here to raise no row. he said looking the short young man squarely in the eye. But yer could be CT darn sight more civil to CT stranger. His the crowd, and a loud laugh rang out on the air. When the rough yells had subsided small girl stepped out from behind the men Hers was the dark
 "rll tell yer wher' ol' Jim lives," she cried. The men turned around abruptly. "Jes' foller this road to ther forks and then take ther @ road ter yer right. OI cabin" she said pointing to the distant hut. The men sneered at her and one of them grabbed at her dress, but she easily eluded them and passed on up the street.
 The tall man clucked to his horses and the wagon moved on. After driving a few yards he saw to his left across the street the sign of the Big Horn saloon. side of the street and got down from
 Friends" he said. Twill yer all come and take som'thin with me, jest ter show that ther aint no hard feelings?"
 The crowd was staggered at first but soon responded joyfully, concluding that the stranger was a pretty good feiioW although he was going to work for "oF
 Were der yer hail from, stranger?" asked Shorty johnson. as they lined up before the bar. -
 The men looked approVingly at the size of his whiskey.
 ''Anyboddy with yer?"
 MY wife" he answered briefly, r,
 Any brats?' queried Shorty The mans face colored slightly. Not yet, he said. The crowd laughed good-na-
 Well here's to the brats!' cried ., fellow down at the end Of the par. TO the bratsv they all cried cHnk1ng tneir A few minutes later Tobe Johnson drove slowly away from the Big Horn, followed by the lusty cheers or ms newly gained friends ~"
 unorosdav.s story, "CuP1D's DUsKY sl