La Junta tribune., 1905-12-20


the small, crooked stream. while dense
ihlckets OF plum and persimmon were
scattered here and there. The latter
just now We're proiigal IN their pro-
duction Of lunches OF golden purple
fruit A quick glance about decided
Faith 10 camp here for the night. She
was just refining the team from the
Tutty road into sheltered glade when
there WAS sharp jolt, accompanied
by a sound Of breaking wood. as one
Of the wheels suddenly dropped into a
deep. rain washed gully.
An Involuntary cry OF dismay es-
cap.-l her when she leaned out and dis
covered that the wheel was broken.
.'Oh. Faith. what ever will We do
now cried clint as he saw what
had happened And Bessie. thoroughly
frightened. began crying bitterly.
Newer mind. little one: it'll be all
right" said Faith encouragingiy. We
can get the wheel mended somewhere %
But despite her cheerful words she real
lied that 1t might require many miles
Of weary travel to have the damage TO
the wagon repaired Even II there
should be shop within two or three
miles, which WAS not at all likely In
such an isolated spot. how was she to
transport the heavy broken wheel even
a single milef Although abe could see
no way As yet to overcome the Difficult
". she was determined not TO give up.
There Was always some way out OF
every dilemma. and her ever hopeful
heart told her she would surely ind
one in this instance.
She climbed out Of the wagon and.
assisted by Clint. began TO unhitch the
team. while Bessie. dragging the buf-
falo robe after her. stood under . per
simmon tree gazing at the cause OF
their present trouble with tear wet
eyes. The storm was Increasing rapid
ly. and the Icy wind blew the fakes
through the long. dead grass with =
sharp. kissing sound.
As Faith. shivering with cold and
apprehension. led the animals away
from the wagon the sound Of approach
ing hoofs came through the snow laden
air. and the next instant two men
mounted ON sturdy ponies refined In
near the wrecked vehicle. They looked
20 be about thirty. were full bearded
and clad in the rough garb usually
worn by plainsmen OF the west. Broad
brimmed hats covered their heads. and
each had brace OF heavy revolvers
stuck la his wide leather belt. In one
unaecustomed to this style Of dress the
appearance OF these armed men might
have Induced feeling OF terror. but II
was not so with Faith. Such types Of
western life were familiar to her. she
having spent the past four years on
the frontier OF Nebraska.
Good evenin'. miss" said Ike Bar
clay. dismounting from his pony. Had
n brea kslown. I see. Bad job he con
tinued after examining the wagon crit
icaIly.
"Yes. sir returned the young lady.
turning the mule she was holding so
that she could fnce the men. ''Is there
any place near where I can get the
wheel mendedf'
"Waal, thar's ole Berger's blacksmith
shop. over at MiIey's store. but it's
nigh three miles from hyer. Whar's
yer men folksr' he inquired. glancing
around.
I'VE have no men folks with u.s." re-
piled Faith.
"Wot. Yer don't mean ter say yer
travelin' alone with only them two
kids broke in Jim Hancock.
yes" responded she simply. we
have come from Nebraska and are on
the way TO our uncle's. whose home Is
In the southwestern part of this state"
"Waal. Ill be''- But the speaker
suddenly grew red In the face and did
not procee,i 10 tell what he would "be." :"
Yer see Ike began. 1T seems plumb
cur rus Ike ter see woman travelin'
alone sich weather" Then after an
almost imperceptible pause. as though
for explanation. he continued: But It's
lucky we feilers happened along. IL is.
by ginger. Nov. miss. IL you're willin'
ter trust Jim hyer an me. well take
that wheel over ter ole Berxer's an Git
him ter mend II up fer yer
IF you'd only be 50 Kind. returned
Faith hastily. for. notwithstanding the
relief abe experienced. the situation
was noe free from embarrassment. I'D
be very much obliged"
"Nos er TALL replied Ike. with an at-
tenpt at polite sp<<ch-
The combine<i strength Of the twe
served 10 81 the wagon prcpp<d -
In Q short time and the Offending mem
ber removed
II reckon we can carry II betwixt
us.- said Jim But. &c whix. ainr
this wind cuftin
-neGhs sse Bsr wesser.- rejoinea his
cs0panion "A bad nieht fer them
Kids an the woman ter be out. an
Christmas eve. as hat, It's suRerin'
wicked-'tie. fer sure
why. blame us. wot we Gavin
erbouf. There Reb-s cabin over 0ar
Q few stev~. baeh o. tAem persiDmcosl-
Then. turning 10 Faith: Miss. It's eoan'
ter be p<rty rssgA weather tesnighf-
an I reckoa er cabin would be rot
snsss eo0fsrabser sAan eaness' 80 =
- -> q aknufv AvUY -