Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-05-09

gathering wood ana making ready for
night. Meanwhile swarthy drivers
took the horses to water and tethered
them with long ropes SO they could crop
the grass of the roadside.
One tall, bony man, with a face al
most as black as that of an Indian,
brought big iron pot and set it up
near the water. A big stew of beef
bone, leeks and potatoes began to cook
shortly, and remember it had such Al
goodly smell was minded to ask them
Tor taste Of 1t. A little city Of strange
people had surrounded us Of a sudden.
Uncle Eb thought of going on but the
night was coming fast, and there would
be no moon, and we were footsore and
hungry. Women and children came
over to our fire after supper and made
more Of me than l liked.
remember taking refuge between
the knees of Uncle Eb, and Fred sat
close In front of US, growing fiercely
when they came too near. They stood
about, looking down at us, and whis-
pered together, and one young miss of
the tribe came up and tried to kiss
me In spite Of Fred's warnings. She
had flashing black eyes and hair as
dark as the night that fell in curling
mass upon her shoulders; but, some
how, had mighty fear of her and
fought with desperation to keep my
face from the touch Of her red lips.
Uncle Eb laughed and held Fred by the
collar, and began to cry out in terror
presently, when, to my great relief, she
let go and ran away to her own people.
They all went away to their wagons,
save one young man, who was tall
with light hair and fair skin, and
who looked like none of the other gyp-
sizes.
Take care Of yourself" he whis-
pered as soon as the rest had gone.
''These are bad people. You'd better be
off,"
The young man left us, and Uncle Eb
began to pack up at once. They were
going to bed in their wagons when we
came away. stood in the basket, and
Fred drew the wagon that had in it
only few bundles. A mile or more
farther on we came to lonely, desert
ed cabin close to the road 1t had be-
gun to thunder in the distance, and the
wind was blowing damp.
"Guess nobody lives here" said Uncle
BIB as he turned in at the sagging gate
and began to cross the little patch of
weeds and hollyhocks behind It, Doors
half down, but I guess it'll de better n
NO house. Coin t rain sartin."
was nodding q little about then,
remember, but was wide awake when
he took me out Of the basket The old
house stood on high hill, and we
could see the stars Of heaven through
the ruined door and one Of the back
windows. Uncle Eb lifted the leaning
door little and showed it aside. We
heard then quick stir in the old house
"a loud and ghostly rustic 1t seems
now a. think of it-like that made by
linen shaking on the line. Uncle Eb
took step backward as II 1t had star
tied him.
Guess it's nuthin' to be 'fraid Of" he
said. feeling in the pocket Of his coat
He had struck a match in a moment
By Its pickering light could see only
bit Of rubbish on the floor.
Full O. white OWLS" said he, step
ping inside, where the rustling was
now continuous. They'll do us no
harm"
could see them now flying about I'M
der the low ceiling. Uncle Eb gathered
an armful Of grass and clover in the
near dsad and spread It in a corner well
away from the ruined door and win
dows. Covered with our blanket, it
made fairly comfortable bed. Soon as
We had lain down the rain began to rat
tie ON the shaky roof and flashes Of
lightning Lit every corner of the old
room.
have had ever curious love Of
storms, and from the time when mem
DRY began its record In my brain it has
deliSAted me to hear at night the roar
Of thunder and see the swift play Of
the lightning. lay between Uncle
Eb and the old dog, who both went
asleep shortly. Less wearied, / pre-
sumo, than either of them, for l had
lone none Of the carrying and had
slept long time that day in the shade
| Of tree, I was awake an hour or
more after they We're snoring. Every
flash lit the old room like the full glare
| of the MONDAY sun. remember it
showed me an old cradle piled full OF
| rubbish, rusty scythe hung in the
rotting sash of window, few lengths
Of stovepipe and pillow in one corner
and three staring white owls that sal
on q beam above the doorway. The
| rain roared on the old roof shortly and
came whipping down through the bare
boards above us. A big drop struck
In my face, and moved little. Then
saw what made me hold my breath
moment and cover my head with the
shawl A fash of lightning revealed Q
tall, ragged man booking in at the door
way. lay close to Uncle Eb, imagining
much evil Of that vision, but made nc
cutlery.
Shrugged in between my two com
panions felt reasonably secure ant
soon fell asleep. The sun, streaming II
| '1H1 80
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