The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1904-12-31


almshouse and not having had years
schooling in ais life. He had attended
dance in st. Joseph with his trousers
tucked in his boots to shame one or
two men in dress suits. He disliked
Tommy Hodge because he was re
fined little fellow, having been well
brought up. Tommy washed his face
and hands occasionally, process that
Conover regarded very effeminate, es-
pecally while on the plains. The con
sequence was that the wagon master
was disposed to make butt Of the
boy.
one evening after a dusty days trav-
el Tommy said he would 30 10 creek
where he had noticed good swim
ming place and take 4 bath. When he
had gone Conover remarked to the
men who were taking care Of the
stock: I'm going TO scare that boy
out of q years growth. He's pestifer-
Gus little cuss and needs taking down"
Without delay he followed Tommy,
taking care to keep at sufficient dis.
lance. OF course no one would leave
the train without rifle, and both the
boy and the man carried one Tommy
on reaching the creek laid down his
weapon. threw OF his clothes and
plunged Into the water Conover's
plan was to put himself beyond the
boy, then send him running TO camp
stark naked. After taking his position
the wagon master raised an Indian
whoop.
The twilight was deepening into
darkness, and he could not see distinct
", so he listened. The laundering in
the water ceased. Conover strained his
eyes. expecting to sec the boys white
body shooting through the gloom He
saw nothing but the boundless plain
lying Ike a dark ocean about him. He
began to feel that sensation of loneli-
ness which comes to one alone in n
vast expanse, and loneliness is akin to
fear.
Suddenly his blood ran cold at the
sound Of real whoop, not the whoop
of white man, but the blood curdlins
yell Of an Indian. He started to run
FOR camp. and as he did so an Indian,
doubtless in advance Of bis people, rose
up near him. The savage was armed
only with a tomahawk. which he bran
dished, and Conover expected to see it
fly from his hands and cleHve his
skull He was so paralyzed with fear
that he dropped his rife and was COM
pletely defenseless. Then he turned
and made 4 dash for camp.
Running like the wind, he was pass
Ing the place where Tommy Hodge had
gone in TO battle when close behind
him the pursuing Indian gave tri.
umpbant yell. Conover knew that the
savage had got within distance TO hurl
his tOmahawk effectively. BE was ex-
pectIng every moment 10 be laid low
by a blow when he heard shot. BE
fully believed that lie had been pierced
by a bullet Indeed so powerful was
his Imagination that he fell and lay
partly stupefed.
When the party at the wagons heard
Conoyers whoop they suspected that
1t was he. attempting TO brighten the
boy, but when they heard the Indians
whoop they knew at once the danger
threatening both Conover and Tommy
Hodge. Mr.. Brant ordered the wagons
into corral. with the animals in the
center. and at the head OF detach,
ment of his men wen: out to the as
sistance OF those in peril. Hearing
potling after the one shot that had
been fired. they gave up their com
panions as lost but pushed on. Final
" they came TO Conover. lying with
his face to the ground. They turned
him over and were examining him
when they heard voice from the
creek:
Hello! Are you our men2"
what in the name Of
I'm Dodge. Is he hurt?"
Cant find that he is"
An Indian was chasing him. Soon
as I heard the whoop got my rife
and brought 1t down here out o sight.
I saw the Indian chasing conover and
plunked him. You'n find the redsllin
farther on"
Sure enough. not dozen steps be,
yond where they stood was the dead
body of an Indian.
Conover revived and with Tommy
Hodge was taken back 10 camp he
was from that time not only the laugh.
Ing stock OF the party, but held in SUI
preme contempt.
Tommy Hodge made several trips
with Mr.. Brant after that tn the Tn
ion Pacific railroad. being completed.
took the place OF teamiu=. 10 became
the sole support Of his mother and T.
now one Of the principe merchants d
the great west
ALBERT MAYNE MURRAY.
PInehea All Round.
Shelby new gown is Just lovely
It's q perfect fit He-Satisaed on that