Middletown transcript., 1901-03-30

! was only a Httle Wnlle-OnIy iIJCl0 Wille
Then when the reward for all his toi
seemed to be no less distant than at first
it was hard. Sometimes he had though
that he would give it up and 60 home t.
confess himself beaten; then the pictur'
of the little brown eyed girl, who through
her tears had told him to be brave anC
patient and all would be well, would com,
before him, and he would set his teetl
hard and "pitch in" again. Maybe i
had soured him bit. He wondered
| sometimes he had not been rather un
sociable and rather poor company for hi
companions, and concluded he had.
| His thoughts turned again to Molly
How pretty and sad she had looked witt
the tears on her pink cheeks that day
for somehow he couldn't for the life o
him think of her except as he saw he
last, watching him as he went down the
road. And just to think! Only few
days more, and-''Hullo! Wa-al, I'll b.
acknowledgement
The wind had shifted around into the
north; dull, gray clouds hid the blue and
gold that had made the early day SO fair
Two or three flakes of snow were visible
now and then. 1t was one of these strik
ing Hen on the cheek that had caused
him to rein up his horse so suddenly and
make the able remark just recited.
Not a living creature was in sight on all
the broad plain. Hen and his horse were
as much alone as if they had been on the
open sea. Human habitation between
the ''L-Bar" and Jersey, there was none.
hen dismounted and laid his ear to the
ground, listening intently for a few
seconds. Yes-there it was-that dull,
whispering, indistinct roar, which the
plainsman knows and fears, the voice Of
the coming blizzard. The horse heard it,
or felt it, and turned his head, whinny.
ing softly.
1es, OF pony, it's comm ali right
enough" said Hen, as he rose from the
ground, IAN me n you's got to hustle a
hull lot, Mister Pokey Let 'er slide"
Only twelve miles or SO, and yet Hen
knew that the blizzard might overtake
him before he had travelled four. He
urged his horse faster, knowing that the
faithful animal could easily stand the
work.
1t was growing rapidly colder, and the
few flakes of snow were being rapidly
followed by thousands. The wind was
increasing in velocity and Hen, bending
low over his horses neck, could hear the
vicious 'swish-swish" of the snow as it
was hurled through the grass and along
the ground. Very soon it was impossible
to see more than hundred yards or so
ahead, but Hen knew the general direc-
tion and for safety's sake was heading for
the stage road leading into Jersey from
the southwest.
On and on they went, Pokey, alive to
the situation, pounding along at his top
travelling speed, steady as clock. On
and on came the storm, covering horse
and rider with snow as fine as -four until
they looked like ghosts. Hen, leaning
back to get his overcoat, lost the direc-
ton, but he knew Pokey would do better
without his plotting.
How cold it was. Hens hands and
toes were like Jumps of ice-worse, they
had hardly any feeling in them. His ear
and cheek on the side exposed to the
storm were getting nipped. Well, he
would soon strike the stage road, and
then, if he had not miscalculated, there
would be only five or six miles
"Greet Scottp'
For Pokey had given a sudden, high
leap and stood still, painting Almost
under his feet lay snow covered object
with a strange look about it. Hen leaned
down from the saddle and turned it over.
1t was dead man, holding tight, in the
stiff right hand, whip such as stage
drivers use.
Stage driver, deader'n Tom Jefferson.
Drunk, likely, an fell off, poor cussp'
But there was no time to stop and investi-
gate. In another second Pokey was
turned to the left and pounding along the
road.
A dark object loomed up suddenly as
they shot past, and sudden thrill sent
the sluggish blood coursing through Hens
veins. He halted and turned Pokey's
unwilling head on the back course.
Sure enough it was the stage; but there
were no horses attached. Hen felt around
and reached the door-handle. A cry-a
child's cry-came from within. Hen
tied Pokey firmly to wheel, found the
door again and entered.
'Thank Godw 1T was woman's voice.
"Oh, sir, have you come to take MS
away? The driver fell off, think, and
the horses broke loose somehow, and
we're almost frozen" Hen could see her
now. 1t was young, d-looking
woman, and she clasped tight to her
breast child about three years old.
Neither was clad for such awful weather.
Hens heart stood still for moment
If that woman and child remained here
it was almost certain death. 1t might be
days before help could reach them, and
even if aid conld come to them tomorrow.
they would have frozen meanwhile. On
the other hand
"Can you ride, missis?'
eyes, indeed"
"Wa-al, come then, quick"
In another minute
"Ride straddle, so Naow, hold tn,
kid, an let tn boss take lis own road.''
tBut what are you going TO-"
Hen was fastening the drivers robe
about her.
"Pm all right. Naow hang ON an
keep holt O. tn kid. Go on, Pokev.
missis."
He was alone on the prairie in de-
serted stage coach, with the storm howl.