Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-12-22
60 I
60

49, ''''''''' ~ pVNFu NiItdli. NIllNt OpIlGe
ibick"'s VI plum ANA Jpcrsimuon were
scattered here and there. The klttpr
Just now were pru1igal in their pro.
duction Of punches or golden purple
fruit. y quick glancc about decbicd
Faith 10 camp here for Tie night. She
WAS Just refining the team from tho
rutty road into II sheltered glade when
there Was u sharp Jolt, accompanied
by sound OF breaking wood. M one
OF th" wheels suddenly dropped into II
deep. rain waslIch gully.
An involuntary cry Of dismay es-
capped her when she leaned out and dis.
covered that the wheel was broken.
oh. Faith. what ever will we do
now" cried Clint rs he saw what
had happened. And BESSIE. thoroughly
frightened. began crying bitterly.
Never mind. little one: it'll be nn
right" said Faith encouragement. 1--WE
Gun &rt the wheel mcirlcd somewhere
But despite her cheerful words she real.
iZc0 that il miuht require many mile.
of weary travel 10 lave The damage 60
tue wagon repaired. Even if there
should be- II shop within two or tfree
miles. which was not NJ all likely in
such an isolated SPOT how was she 20
transport tho heavy broken wheel even
single iuilc? Although she could SEQ
no way rs yet 20 overcome the tlifflcnl.
~, she wns determined not To give I'D
There was always some way out OF
every dilenmn, and her ever hopGful
heart told her she would surely find
one i'm this instance.
She climbed out OF the wagon md
assisted by clint. began TO unbitcl the
team. while Bessie, dragging the buf.
falo robr after her, stool under a per.
SiTnmon tree gazing nj the canRe OF
their present trouble with tear wet
eyes The storm was increasing rapid.
~, and the icy wind blew the flakes
through III" long. dead grass with
sharp. kissing sound.
As Faith, shivcriDg with cold and
apprehension, led The animals away
from Che wagon the sound Of approach.
Ing hoofs came through the snow laden
mir, AMI the next instant two men
mounted on sturdy ponies refined in
near the wrecked vchicle. They looked
10 be ahont thirty, We're full bearded
worn hy plninsrncn of the west. Broad
brinmed hntS covered thclr heads, and
cach had brace Of heavy revolvers
stuck la Ills wide leather belt. In ono
tlnaccustontEl so this style Of dress the
appearance oC these armed men might
have INDUCED Il feeling of terror. but IL
WAS moi so with I'niih. Such types OF
western life We're familiar 10 her, she
having spent The past four years OIL
The frontier Of Nobrn ska.
Good cveuin'. miss" said Ike Bar.
clay, hisn'ouniing from his pony. Had
Il breakdown, ! sec. Pad lob hc con.
tinucd after examining: the wagon crit.
ica,ly
YES. sir. returned the young lady,
turning the mule she wnS holding 10
hat she could face the men. lis there
any place near where | can get the
wheel mnnded:''
"Waal. lhal'S ole Berger's blacksmith
shop. over at Milcy's store, but it's
nigh three miles from hyer. Whar's
rcr men fO!ksi" lie Inquired, slanciur
around.
I'VE have no men folks with u.s." re.
Piled Faith
"Wot! Yer don't mean ter say yer
iravclin' 0iouc with only them Two
kids broke in lin Hancock
Yes" responded she simply I'VE
have CONE from Nebraska and are Oh
the way 10 our uncie's. whose home is
in the southwestern part of this state"
Waai, I'h BIZ l;tlt the speaker
SIllIni.l% i n:
not proceed To tell what he would she"
Yer see" Ike began. "it seens plumb,
cur dislike Ter sec a woman trnvelin'
alone sich weather. Then after all
almost impcrccptibic pause. as though
FOR explanation. he continued: "Isut it's
lucky we follcrs happened Along: it is.
10y Singrr! Now. MISS. il you're wiilin'
ter trust Jim hyer an me. We'll take
that wheel over ter ole Bcr:crs an git
him Ter mend II up fer yer"
''II you'd Only be- so kind" returned
Faith hastily. for. Notwithstanding the
relief she experienced. the situation
was not free from embarrassment, "I'd
he Very much obliged
Not OF tall" replied Ike, with an at
tempt at polite speech.
The combined strength Of the two
served TO get the wagon propped up
in IL short lime and the offending men,
ber removed,
II reckon We can carry it betwiyt
us" said Jim. Put gee whiz. ain't
tliis wind cntt.n'!'
'HcS'lar ole nor wcstcr," rcjoincd his
companion. ~ bad night fer them
Kids an The woman ter be out. an
Christmas eve. at that. It's sulferin'
wickcd-'tis. fer sure
WHY. blame ns. wot We chawin'
erbonl: Theirs Rob's cabin over thar
a for, stony hlcr n, tlin,,, nnr..in,n,nns %