The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-03

with all my might. But I mought Jest as
we'll cussed at a fodder stack. He jest
come right straight ahead, til he got SO
close that he darkened the light up above,
and the Jumps of dirt begun to crumble
down onto me. Hollerin' and cussin' wasn't
no use. 1 thought my time was come now.
shore enough. and I jest draped on my
knees an sot to praytn' with all my might.
I wasn't used to prayin' much. and I didn't
know how, but I Jest made a clean busom
OF IT.. ownin' up all the meanery and DEVIL
ment I ever done in all my born days. from
my first game of seven-up to my last boss
swap. promisin' never to do 30 no more II
1 could Jest get out Of that we'll alive. All
the time 1 was a prayin' the old cow-bell
was ringin' like a death-beu in my ears,
and old Rather, walked up by the noise,
was squattin' down by me. lookin' up at
me. and whinin the pitifulest whine I ever
heard out of a dog, like he thought his time
was come too. Bimeby the cow-bell stopped
ringin' all Of a sudden. and a voice said:
Who Is that down in that well calm for
helpE At first was so scared I couldn't
speak to save me. But when / looked up.
who should 1 see? Not angel Gable, nor
one of the deserters-but Sam Baker, with
S01 ohSu wv liz blu0 " III WE'LL
lookin' right down at me
IF ever 1 did feel good all over at once Il
was jest then. 1 never was 30 thankful
before in all my born days.
Goodness gracious! SAM says I, TIM
SO glad you've come
why. Billy ses he. what upon yeath
Is you dom down in that well2'
Help me out. SAM says 1, and I'll tell
you all about it,
Il told Sam that I had a rope down in the
well, and If he'd git a pole and let 1t down
to me. 1 could tie to 1t. He went an cut
n pole an draw'd up one eend of the rope.
First 1 tied 1t round old Rattler's middle
and Sam pulled him up. the tarnal fool all
the time yellin' and kickin' like rath. Then
Sam made his eend of the rope fast to the
saplin' agin and 1 shined out.
You may depend, I felt monstrous good
when I got on the top of the yeath wonest
gone. I was Jest gwine to hug Sam for Joy,
but ses he. Billy. old Teller, look at your
%trouses.'
Shore enough, I was dirt from head to
foot: but I didn't mind that then.
"'Come, now, set down. ses Sam, and
tell me how upon yeath you and old Rather
come to be down in that WELL
But I wanted a drink monstrous, n I
went to the saplln' whar I tied when I went
down into the well in such a hurryment.
but my bag and all was gone. We looked
round, MI after a bit Sam found the bottle.
] hadn't tuck but two or three drinks, as
I remember, put Of It, but It was more'n
half gone. Sam said he sposed It must
leaked out when old Rather was at the
meat and bread.
well. me and Sam finished what was left,
while I was tellin' him all about the chase
I had with the dsserters.
why. Billy ses he, you did have .
time. shore enough. It's q wonder thsy
didn't git you. And II I hadn't been out
squirrel huntin' and come along this way,
you mought staid dow thar til sou starved
to death =
"'To be sure I mought.' ses /.
YES ses Sam, and II I hadn't druy
Leaks old blind mule OF. he'd boon dc~
in the well on top Of you in . few mi
He wasn't more than three or four