Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1901-11-26

AAAhl ~ Alpin lUt tblOUHN- anu knUW-
ing that he was looked upon with no
little hatred, he seldom came down
from his suburban hut-jG indeed.
Bear Creek could boast OF apNthing so
pretentious as suburbs. Naturally
enough the hatred for "Oi' Jim" him
self fell also upon the innocent heads
OF the men who worked under him.
SO that the village OF Bear Creek and
"Of 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 share of Bear Creeks
disapproyal and dislike. Ho was re-
garded as a good-hearted fellow Of
friendly disposition. yet with AZ strong
will and as hrm a courage as wal
to be found in the two camps. Furth-
ermore, he was worker. and spent
most OF his time away from the gamb-
ling dens and saloons-something
which the miners usually failed to do.
One day Johnson was informed that
he was the proud possessor of son
and heir. But his boy came at 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.
fully. I'VE will nurse her back to
health and strength. No, no--sne will
not leave me-" But 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 a touch of ten
derness 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 ,-.e aft
ernoon began to fade into the deeper
shadows of the evening, the mother
br ,athed 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 a
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; but no sound broke the still
no is 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. Tie staggering
figure of a man came in. 1t was Tobe
Johnson, his eyes bloodshot with
drink and dissipation. For a moment
he gazed expectantly around the
room. "Millie," he called. Then see
ing the frightened half-breed beside
the swaying cradle he seemed to re-
ell the incidents of the past few days.
With a 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
ly. 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 him to return
to tie village-to the bar and gaming
tables. For the moment he seemed
ready to yield. Then suddenly from
the cradle came a faint GOO" He
turned quickly to meet the laughing
blue eyes of his baby. He looked
steadily at the LITTLE fac -'twas the