Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-04-07
Copyright, 1870. BY Herbert 8. Stone g. Co
CHAPTER IV.-CoNTINUED.

Every Sunday Mahala Cameron's
father preached In the schoolhouse, and
NEARLY all the people, whether they &C
-cepted the Cumberland Presbyterian
creed or not, went to the service. Wild
iplum groves made bouquets Of snow
on the prairies. The woods were full
OF flowers, having such fragrance as
breaks only from old loan. All the
trees, from the rich green Of the pc
can to the delicate and slowly deepen
ing maple sgave out their foliage to
the sun. The Judas tree burst out like
flame in the forest.
Happy boys were seen coming home
sfrom the river of evenings with strings
~of croppies, bass, and pike. Half-yearly
muster day came, when the local mi
litia stepped out in awkward sqauds
and practiced such military tactics az
the leader knew to the squeak Of q
fife and the thump Of a drum. Anty-
wine put himself among the boys. He
liked life and movement. But Shick-
shack stood and looked gloomily on.
He knew that his own people, the Sacs,
were being crowded in their reserva-
fion, and this play of war might some
time become reality. Whisky was plen-
tiful of muster days. Antywine no
4iced that Lincoln did not touch It,
Having considered the height and
strength of Sieur Abe. he also spat out
OF his mouth taste of fiery stuff
pushed between his lips by Grove
boy. and decided that he would fight
rather than be forced to drink.
Sticky Green and Ann Rutledge's
brother we're home, working in their
fathers fields. Young Yates was seen
at intervals during the summer. The
sboys and girls of New Salem found
world of material for their own happi-
mess. There were cuttings, where the
vOlder women labored in the afternoon
and young men and women came to
evening games.
Peggy Shickshack stood outside Of
such festivities, and SO did Antywine.
because the singular mother Of their
household had no fellowship with the
mother of any other household. For
all the villagers began to look kindly
at the unfolding womanliness Of the
lame Spaniard, the blond head Of An
tywine, and the good old Indian who
flowed white men.
But the festival that Peggy liked best
and was not left out Of, was blackber-
rying. The girls rose at dawn and put
ON their worst clothes, meeting by ap-
continent at the tavern with baskets
ON their arms. They did not speak
loud. The dust In the road took the
prints Of their feet like ashes. The
whole sveet-smelling world was
.drenched In dew, and as they brushed
down the ravine across the woods be-
yond, they were baptized by every
bush. Then their tongues were
sfoosened. and they sang and told
sstories. Sometimes they pretended to
see wolves sneaking to cover. but this
sincerely for the pleasure Of frightening
themselves. II was he loveliest pilgri-
IMAGE ever invented. There was peril
IN Il too, for N the wooded field OF
wild brambles the thick-mottled rattle
snake. or objects resembling him,
caused many a start and shrek.
Once little Jane Ru.ledge got fat
vrrnsshopper down Der back. and yelled
for deliveIance from-"a snake!
snnks!"
sob. run home. Jane! Run home.
.lnuisag". criad Mahala Cameron.
But Ann tore the child's clothing
.opcn and freed the grasshopper, cling-
sng with all his feet to the tender white
sack; nnd they all laughed at Mahala,
who would have sent her three miles
Cor help.
eomstimeE flne girls swan grass TO
fhs|. xais,s. Is IN sea Of dew, Pegg