The San Francisco call., 1905-03-12

n dreadful But worse follow
~ ed. The waters gathered
themselves and rose into a peak, the
mule sliding swiftly to the apex, still
holding me with his uncanny eyes.
There came a shock and Oscar said:
For the Lords sake, kid! They've
been buaying away on that breakfast
horn for the last five minutes. Hustlel"
found myself upon my hands and
knees; in a cabin, all right, but the
cabin was on the prairie. 1 looked
around, stupid with sleep. The famil-
lar sights met my eye-Oscar tiptoeing
about, bow-legged, arms spread like
wings, drawing his breath through his
teeth, after the fashion of half-f frozen
people. Old Charley sat bumped up
IN the corner, sucking his cob pipe. The
stove was giving forth smell Of hot
iron and not heat, as usual. On it
rested washbasin, wherein some snow
was melting for the morning ablutions.
A candle projected a sort Of palpable
yellow gloom into the gray mass of icy
morning air.
dressed rapidly. AS slept in over
coat and cap, this was no great matter.
A pair Of German socks and arctics
completed my attire. Evidently had
been put upon the floor by the hand of
Oscar. For this, when Oscar stretched
his neither garment tight. in the act
OF washing has face. smote him upon
the fullness thereof with a long plug
OF chewing tobacco. "AoW!" he yelled.
recurring like a bow and putting his
hands to his wound. Promptly we
elinehed and fell upon cid Charley. To
the floor the three went, amid a shower
OF sparks from the cob pipe
You dam pesky kidsl" said the
angry voice of Charles (the ti1nbre of
that voice, after travelling through four
inches Of nose. is beyond irnitation).
get off'n me! Quit now. Stop yer
blame foolin'!"
Oscar and / swallowed our giggles
and rolled all over Charley.
We'll, by Jeeroosha!" came from the
bottom OF the heap In the tone of one
who has reached the breaking point of
astonished fury. I'm goin' to do some
shootin' when this Is over-yes. sir. I
won't hold back no more-ef you BOYS
don't git oft'n me this mint, so help me
Bobi I'll bite yer!"
This was q real danger, and we
skipped him OF brisl<ly.
why, Charley" explained Oscar.
you see, we got 50 excited that we
didn't notice"
There's Steve now" interrupted
Charley. pointing with q long, crooked
forehnger to the doorway. We'll, Steve,
I'm glad you come. I just want you to
see the kind of COINS on there is here. :"
Charles cleared his throat and stuck
his thumb in his vest.
''F'r instance, this mornin', I sittin'
right thsre in that corner, not troubIin'
nobody. when UP gets that spiay-foot-
ed. Eprawiin', fumberin' bull-cah of an
Oscar, an that mjschievous, sawed-off
little monkey of a Harry. and they goes
to pullin' and tusslln', and they jes'
walks up and down on me, same's il I
was flight of steps.
Now, you know, Steve, I'm a man Of
sagassity an experience, an I amt
goin' 70 stand fur no such dog rasslin'.
! felt like doin' them boys ser'us dam
age, but they're young, and life spreads
green and promisin' befo' 'en, like a
banana tree; consequently prefer jus
to tell you my time is handed In"
Charley was proudly erect. His arms
stretched aloft His one yellow tooth
rested on his lower lfp: his face. the
thickness and texture OF a much-worn
leather pocketbook. showed a tinge of