The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-16
corrals were careehlly

capture, them. corrals were careshlly
Three wagons drove gayly into camp,
December was warm as June
hello, boys. Struck it rich yet? You
see, I've come to Christmas dinneri I've
Polly-and Nan-and Old Man Rob,
aged six Regular engineer already
and, boys, best of all, here's a royal
good mother for you, you poor, good-for-
nothing old bachelors!"
Mother Baker" had dimples and
merry eyes The boys "adored her. at
once! Miss Polly, rosy, brown, saucy
and very handsome in her dark blue
army suit and cap, took them all by
storm Nan and Rob explored corrals,
tents and foothills, pronouncing them
jolly great fun
Christmas dinner boys. We came on
purpose. Polly made stuff enough to
kill young, ordinary engineers. Mothers
mince meat is packed and ready, and
you may skirmish round for turkey,
/ big enough for all the boys, you knowi
Ask EN- all to join us,''
The days flew by. Polly's pony
Cricket was brought with the colo
| neIs horses, and not brown field,
dusty road, or new trail but Polly, be-
/ side her father and his men, explored.
She learned each crag of Los Or
ganos." Mexican legends inspired her,
and the big organ was her daily haunt.
Colonel" said the major, I'VE are go
>
band yet! They We're near camp yes
terday.''
Have to send Polly after them" said
the colonel carelessly
Christmas day had gone. A long board
table was laid outside the tents. White
linen from home. Silver glass, china
platters and plates, and odd little pitch
ers and cups from home. Pale waxen
mistletoe hung from a penny bough as
center piece.
"Raphiellino." Mexican lad, had
brought Polly a little pig to roast, and
would Bonita Senorita conner congusto?'
(eat with pleasure?
Brown piggy rich, brown turkey and
Americana pies, were baked in a tin
/ oven over Goals, and the whole corps of
gifted mining engineers took turns burn
ing their. faces before the great log
fires.
mother, its only an hour before dinner
and no escapades today No climbing, no
broken bones to mend, besides the wind
is rising and your father will soon be
herer'
Wind rising. Yes hear the organl oh.
it won't take minute to get over there
said Polly. Come on. major I'm wild
to actually hear the Great Spirit shriek,'
Really, Miss"
4 Don't Miss Polly me! Just run, run;
come on, all of you! See the dust major;
take hold Of Nan"
"Merciful heavensv' said the major as
he dragged little Nan and tried to keep
his eyes on the wild girl with cap in
hand, hair tumbling down, as she sprang
lightly from the low peaks up and up,
higher and higher.
Glorious, Oh, majorl leave Nan with
Rob and hurry, Such a grand view of
our campfire corral. Just see my Crick-
ct hold up his beautiful headi I just
long to meet all the Indians and Don
Garcias band this very minute, Listenr'
The major stumbled up beside her I'M
1PT pNT1 xs foe Il
perilously close to the great canyons be-
low.
Low, long, wailing notes touched the
organ, like g dirge-then the wind came
grand cathedral of its music 1t was like
an army going into battlei Solitary and
small the little party felt, as they thrilled
with its grandeur.
shrieks, as suddenly broke into song
The horses! Cricket. Ny darling! My
beauty"
Don Garcia had gone into the corral
: had followed The horses had huddleJ
together as with stealthy steps the Inel
began fastening them with a lariat
Boys, what's that?' Don Garcia gave
saddles Fly Santa P M aPfan W Wiz ey5a
2 nxed on the organ pipes; they dashed NJ
the road in fash Their faces paied
the shadow of Los Organos.
Polly leaned far over the sharpest rock
/
long hair was blown by the fierce wind
She sang song after song. clear as a bell
/, with the moan of the organ in waves OF
: music.
+ Don Garcia saw the vision and the Great
: Spirit muttered curses and threateninsS
upon them They crossed themselves and
dashed far away into the valley of the
Rio Grande
Major Philander Young picked Miss Pol
ly up in his arms and carried her safely
F to the ground.
You are splendid! You are q dandy
you are darling, by Jover'
When the colonel rode into camp anC
; Christmas dinner was waiting. Polly was
} sitting on the back of her blessed Cricket
t crying, laughing, talking incoherently this
a center of an admiring group.
Major Philander Young owns a brown
stone front house in Washington, D. {.
where the "old boys Christmas dinner.
r are still served. Madame Polly Baker
Young still dashes fearlessy up and dowr
f the country roads, on another Crick
ct the gift of her husband, while the ccun
try clubs. the Roosevelts. and foreign le
cations who excel in fine horsemanshiI
declare none can equal the pluclSy girl whC
managed the horse thieves in Mexico up
on Christmas day. not long ago.-Ex
change