The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-11-29

little hatred. be seldom came down
from his suburban nut-if, indeed.
Bear Creek could boast OF anything so
pretentous as suburbs Naturally
enough the hatred for "Or jim" him
self fell also upon the innocent heads
Of the men who worked under him.
So that the village Of Bear Creek and
"et Jim's Place" as It was called.
were as two hostile cities encamped
against each other
But as Time rolled on Tobe Johnson
failed to get his shsre Of Bear Creeks
disapproval and dislike. He was re-
garded as a good-hearted fellow Of
friendly disposition. yet with as strong
a viii and as firm a courage as was
70 be found il the two camps Furth-
ermore. he was a worker. and spent
most Of his time away from the gamb-
ling dens and salOons-somethin
which the miners usually failed TO do
One day Johnson was informed that
he was the proud possessor OF a son
and heir. But his boy came at a dear,
dear price the father The frail
mother. wearied and worn by the hard
life to which she had not been accus-
toned, and without the proper medical
attention to uphold her declining
strength was IN imminent danger Of
death. For days she lay IN a half
stupor. moaning piteously the while.
Johnsan staid faithfully at her side.
He tried to argue himself into the be-
lief that she would soon be well again.
"She can't die" he would say hope
fully. I'VE will nurse her back to
health and strength, No, n0-sne will
not leave me" Bat within the inner
depths OF his consciousness he was
afraid. The neighboring miners did
al they could to help the unfortunate
husband. The gentle deneanor OF the
young wife had planted touch Of ten
derpess in their rough breasts.
But 1t soon was seen that the strug-
gle would not last long. And one day,
just as the bright sunlight Of ..4e aft
ernoon began to fade into the deeper
shadows OF the evening the mother
brsathed a soft sigh and passed to the
realms eternal
After the funeral was over and the
miners had returned to their work
Tobe johnson returned to his hut 4
sad and broken-hearted man. The
baby who had caused his grief he
swore he could never love. He never
wished to see the innocent little thing
again so great was his sorrow. He
left the lonely cottage and walked
down into the village The little
nalf-breed girl sat all night by the
cradle waiting for his returning foot
steps: D1a no sound broke the still
ness OF the night save the howl Of
some lonely dog outside, or the occa-
sional waking wall Of the infant In
her charge. Finally, at day-break
the shambling footsteps came up the
beaten path. Then a heavy boot beat
roughly at the door for admittance.
Hurriedly opening the door she re-
turned to the cradle. The staggering
figure Of a man came In. It was Tobe
johnson. his eyes bloodshot with
drink and dissipation. For moment
he gazed expectantly around the
room. "Millie," he called Then see
ing the frightened half-breed beside
the swaylng cradle he seemed to re-
ell the Incidents Of the past few days.
with dark frown on his brow, he
stumbled over to the lar corner Of the
room and fell heavily on the bed
Tobe Johnson slept long and sound
". He was awakened late in the aft
ernoon by the rough voices Of the
men with whom he had spent the pre-
vious night. Hardened wretches that
they were. they wished MIN to return
to the village-to the bar and gaming
tables. For the moment he seemed
ready to yield. Then suddenly from
the cradle came a faint COO" He
turned quickly to meet the laughing
blue eyes OF his baby. He looked
steadily at the little fac twas the
hrst time since that fatal night. Then
he walked quickly to the cradle and
lifted the little thing in his arms.
NO, by lingo, won't gor' he cried
hercely to the men. For the moment
they were stupehed. Then they bowed
tleir heads and walked slowly from
the room.
WAS it the look in the soft blue
eyes7" they unused. Was 1t the smile
OF his lost love he saw"