Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-10-16

Instantly therc broke from the gray
parcel little moaning cry. and from
il there protruded a small, scared face
with very bright. brown eyes. and two
little speckled. dimpleu fists.
You've hurt me-" said a childish
voice. reproachfully.
Have I. though?" the man an
swered, penitently; Il didn't 90 for to
do it,"
As he spoke. he unwrapped the gray
shawl and eXtricated n pretty little
girl of about five years of age whose
dainty shoes and smart pink frock.
with its little linen apron. all bespoke
q mothers care.
The child was pale and wan. but her
healthy arms and legs showed that she
had suffered less than her companion.
How is it now?" he answered, anX-
iously. for she was still rubbing the
towsy-golden curls which covered the
back of her head.
kiss II and make ii we'll" she said.
with perfect gravity, showing the in
jured part up TO him. That's what
mother used 10 do Where's mother
Mothers gone. l guess you'll see
her before long"
Gone. eh?" said the little girl.
Funny. she didn't say goodbye: she
most always did if she was just goln'
over to auntie's for tea and now she's
been away for three days. Say, it's
awful dry. amt It? Amt there no
water nor nothing TO eat?'
NO. there amt nothing. dearie.
You'll just nee dto be patient awhile.
and then you'll be all right. Put your
head up agin me. like that, and then
you'll feel better. II amt easy to talk
when your lips are like leather, but l
guess I'd best let YOU know how the
cards lie. What's that you've got?'
Pretty things, fine things cried
the little girl enthusiastically. holding
UT two glittering fragments of mica.
when We goes back to home I'll give
them 10 brother Bob"
you'll see prettier thinFs than them
soon" said the man, confidently. You
Just wait a bit I was going to tell
you. though-you remember when we
left the river?'
well. we reckoned we strike an
other river soon. dye see. But there
was somethin wrong; compasses or
nap. or somethin. and it didn't turn
Vp. Water ran out. Just except a lit
tie drop for the likes of you and
and"
And you couldn't wash yourself. in
terrupted his companion. gravely, star
ing up at his grimy visage.
NO. nor drink. And Mr.. Bender. he
was the first to go, and then Indian
Pete. and then Mrs. McGregor, and
then Johnny Homes, and then, dearie,
your mother"
Then mothers a deader too" cried
the little girl, dropping her face in her
pinafore and sobbing bitterly.
YES: they all went except you and
me. Then l I ought there was some
chance of water in this direction, so
| heaved you on my shoulder and we
tramped it together. 1t don't seem as
though we've improved meters.
There's an almighty small chance for
us now"
DO you mean that we are going to
die. too?" asked the child checking
her sobs, and raising her tear-stained
face.
81 guess that's about the size of it."
why didn't you say so before?" she
said. laughing glsefully. You gave me
such a fright. Why. of course, now as
long as We die we'll Re with mother
again"
"Yes. you will. dearie."
And you. too. I'll tell her how
awful good you've been. I'll bet she
meets US at the door of heaven with
a big pitcher Of water. and a lot Of
bUcEwheat cakes hot and toasted o7
both sides. IKE Bob and me was fond
Of How long will it lie first?'
81 don't know-nOt very long
The mans eyes We're fixed on the
northern horizon. In the blue vault Of
the heaven there appeared three little
specks which Increased in size every
moment. so rapidly did they approach.
They speedily resolved thawselves
into three large brown birds, which cir
cled over the heads Of the two wan
derer. and then settled uron some
rocks which overlooked them.
They We're buzzards. the vultures of
the West whose coming is the fore
runner of death.
ITO he conunued)