Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-07

saw group congregated at the jackpot
fence. across, the hollow, and shower OF
questions and advice were shouted to HIM.
Food was left at the fence-corner, and little
Josh carried it to the cabin.
. ABE and his wife tossed and moaned in de-
lirium, but the child, with her face to the
wall, made no sound. When little Josh sought
to- wake her, he found her dead.
Only the thought of the plague that hedged
him in kept Josh from fleeing from the cabin.
Death was douby fearful to the ignorant
boy, and 1T was, only when, Old Man Hiek-
sons quavering hail assured him that there
were never "ha'nts" near smallpox victims
that his fears were somewhat lessened.
That afternoon there was pathetic little
funeral at Abe Dunlaps cabin. Josh dug
small grave, and while Preacher Ashburn
low, the boy, placed the dead child, wrapped
in bed--quilt, in the grave, and reverently
covered the still form from sight.
The days that followed were full Of heroic
sacrifices on the part of little Josh, with his
home In sight and yet as unapproachable, by
reason of the plauge, as if great gulf divided
them.
Medicine was left at the fence-corner by the
doctor, and three times day food would De
placed there by loving hands.
The township trustees fenced up each emo
of the strip Of road that led past Abes
cabin, and hung warning flags at each parrl-
cade
Then, when the Dunlaps were able to totter
by the plague
There was season of intense anxiety at
the Hickson cabins. Then, not many days
after, Abe Dunlap called weakly across the
hollow:
He's better!"
There was much hurrying to and fro. Little
Joshs mother cried aloud for JOY, and oid
Man Hickson and little Titia clasped hands
and executed war-dance OF delight.
Preacher Ashburn soon arrived, ana ADe
Dunlap, still standing at his pole fence, dohed
his hat as the minister raised his hand to-
ward the sky, and the others bowed their
heads in what he knew to be prayer OF
thanksgiving.
1t was nearly two weeks later when the
visiting Dunlaps, returning, were met by a
small procession, the sight of which taTly
made their eyes "bug out, as Abe express
ed it.
In wagon drawn by Hank Pope's spotted
ponies and driven by Abe Dunlap, whose
pitted face wore satisfied smile, was little
Josh Hickson, reclining in mass OF bright
prairie flowers, with which the wagon was
filled
Close at hand was the precious trot-line,
which Abe had handed him as soon as he
could rise from the bed to get 1t.
With the exception of Mrs. Abe Dunlap,
who occupied the place of honor on the
spring seat the next wagon was hiled with
Hicksons.
In the last wagon were Preacher Ashburn,
the doctor and the rest of the Hlcksons.
The Dunlaps listened, open-mouthed, as
Abe related the story of little Josh $ heroism.
We're gon' plumb to the county line be
fore we stop Abe added. Everybody wants
to see the boy who saved the lives of his enc
mics"
The Dunlaps conferred together moment
at one side of the road, and the Old Man
Dunlap advanced to the centre wagon of the
little procession.
"Hicksons, big and little" he said. Il want
to say that we low to act different toward
We than we have been a'doin'. You kin have
the Big Spring, an we won't take up yer
hogs no more. Yer stock kin eat our hay
every time they break in, an any time ye
want to borry anything it's yours as long as
ye kin use it, an'-an'-wal, we low to treat
We white from now on"
: "You bet!" chorused the Dunlaps.
can l want to say" spoke Old Man Hick-
l speak for all the Hicksons-we
see things in different light, an we won't be
outdone in white treatment our neighbors,
an we won't have nuthin' to do with the Big
Spring unless you git yer drink from thar,
too, an thar won't be no more line-fence trou-
bles, neither.
And all the Hicksons cried:
"You bet!"
While Preacher Ashburn was trying to re-
call an appropriate text, the doctor called
out:
"And I don't reckon there will be in Che
courts any more cases of 'Hickson VS.. Dunlap
OF Dunlap vs. Hickson.'" -"
And the Hicksons and the Dunlaps shouted.
with one voice:
"You bet!"
And the little procession moved on.