The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-12-22

e.
He's not one o. them kind-this
friend O. ourn amt. He's open heart
ed as tn day an Their bes' settler in
these yere parts"
Her anxiety on this score being re-
moved. she allowed Ike to lead the way
to the cabin, which was only a short
distance, but invisible from where the
accident occurred on account of the
trees. 1t was a new log structure,
tightly daubed with lime and sand.
There were snug fireplace and good
though scanty homemade furniture.
Faith was overjoyed at the prospect
OF comfortable lodging so strangely
provided and cast quick and curious
glance about the place. The deer rifle
thrown across the antlers above the
fireplace and mans old straw hat,
coat and blue jeans hung on pegs at
the head of rude couch gave satisfac-
tory evidence that the owner was a
bachelor, but he was away, and the
fact gave her no uneasiness.
Ike built roaring fire on the open
hearth, while Jim brought from the
wagon such articles as would be need
ed during their stay. This done, the
two men mounted and rode away, car
rying the crippled wheel between them,
but with promise that it should be
back "'fore mornin'."
"Facie," said Bessie, clinging to her
sisters skirts as she made prepara-
tons for the evening meal, "this Is
mos as good as Trismas, amt it?'
Eyes, dear, and I'll try to make it up
TO be just as good as Christmas by an
extra fine supper" said the older one,
STOPPING to kiss the happy face.
"Ah, Faith" spoke up Clint as he
stirred the fire into a brighter blaze,
make 1apjacks an 'oodles of 'em, an,
say, let's have brown sugar sirup"
When Barclay and Hancock reached
the blacksmith shop they tumbled their
burden to the ground with "She'd never
ave got it here, neverw Berger, large
and dust begrimed, was just closing
up for the night
''Hor on hyer, ole tinkerv' greeted
Jim, springing from his horse and
pushing the wheel before him into the
shop. 1--WE want this ERE wheel mend
ed up right way"
That's right" put in Ike. can les
see yer git an oriental hump on yer
self. We want to carry it back where
it cum from fore this snow gifts emmy
wuss."
Berger mumbled something about be-
ing tired and hungry, but nevertheless
set to work at once. Satisfied that it
would be repaired as expeditiously as
possible, they hitched their ponies out
Of the wind and started for Miley's
store. They paused a minute before
one Of the windows and looked in. The
proprietor was tying up a package for
a little man with red scarf around his
neck, while solitary individual stood
warming himself by the fire in the
back part of the store. Suddenly an eX
clamation burst from Jim, and, grab
bling his companion by the shoulder, he
pointed excitedly to the figure at the
stove
Look, Ike; thar's Rob Desmond got
back, sure as shootin'v'
eyer right, by ginger" calculated Ike
rs he peered in above the rim Of frost
on the pane at handsome, well built
young fellow Of about twenty-five who
had taken off his hat and coat and
seemed to be making himself thorough
~ comfortable in front of Miley's old
rust spotted heater.
"Wot'N he say?"
"'Bout his cabin?"
"Yep."
'Lightnin' an razors"'
"Say, Ike. I've struck an idee," whis-
pered his companion, with a half sup
pressed chuckle. I'VE can have good
one on Rob--the best thing out-a
reg'lar Christmas joker
"Wot is it?'
Approaching his friend, Jim spoke
few words in his ear. Ike put both
hands over his mouth to check the
laughter he could not quite repress.
''That'll be rich one on Bob, all
right. Well do it! By jimson, we
willv' he exclaimed. ga Teller needs
leetle cheer O. some kind at Christmas
time" Then after a few minutes Of
hurried conference the two entered the
store. After greeting Miley, who stood
behind his counter, they fastened back
to the stove and gave the new arrival
a hearty welcome.
"And what's the news" asked Des-
mond as he shook hands with them
both.
"News?" said Jim, assuming a refec
tive look and pickering up his eye
brows. "Oh, nOthin' much, 'cept thet
ole Biler's sold out an left. An
femme see-yes, thar's Super, he got
an broke his collar bone, an
us galoots has been dom wot we could
ter patch i'm up. WAL, an then," with
a wary look, "thar's some new settlers
comm in lately-wantin' timber claims.
an jumpin' 'em, too, when they git
chance. But how'd yer leave the ole
folks back in Indianny?'
"All well, and could hardly tear my
self away from them"
II reckon hearin' bout yer claim has
kinder hiked yer back" remarked Ike,