Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-08-15

soldiers and flags and drums and
brass bands and everything! Amt
he goin' for a fine time!"
The child answered with glee,
Sure" and the mems laughter rang
out at the child's use Of their own
mode of expression
Carrying the bag, Jim came from
the house. st won't hurt anybody "a
carry his belongings; it's almost
empty"
Shorty shifted as he peered into it.
''Taint very full" Then he threw
into it the old jewel box with the
trinket which Jim had given him. Jim
saw and understood. The men had
come for their final leave.taking Of
the boy; they wished to prove that
their animosity was over, that they
recognized that misfortune had come
to them through no fault of his.
Hold on, Shorty" Jim tried to
prevent the little fellow from getting
the valise but Shorty took the bag
out of his hand as he snapped:
That's Halls trunk, amt it?"
Yes. but
ut amt yourn.' Ever aggressive,
Shorty finished, you don't want TO
| fight the outfit the day your boys
agoin' away" And he pushed Jim
aside as he carried the valise over
to Grouchy, who was holding up a
villanousl looking jack-knife to the
child
Say, old man." the slow, numbering
,ranchman labored you wanted this
for long time wouldn't give 1t to
you cause I was afraid you might
cut yourself, but I've been a-savin' 1t
for you. When you get bigger, you
can make things with it"
Grouchy threw the knife into the
bag. while Shorty, deeply touched,
muttered, That's the longest speech
Grouchy ever pulled off" After all,
the box with Its trinket had been a
gift to him: he must give something
to the child that had been his very
own.
Say" he began, "I'm in on this;
he's admired my saddle for a long
time"
But Jim protested, Shorty, what on
earth is he to do with it?"
And Shorty answered, as he flung
his saddle into the wagon. I'll bet
they amt got nothin' to touch it IN
England"
Bill approvingly observed, That's
right; he's cowboy and needs
real saddle
Quietly Andy pressed forward and
diffidently began, "Und say--und say
-und sure-the boy you know-uni,
by golly, he's got to have something to
remember old Andy by-fadder or nc
ladder" AS he spoke he drew from his
! belt his revolver, carefully emptied 1t
and held it up to Hal. whose eyes
cleaned with JOY at this especially
desired gift. maybe dot don't tickle
him, eh?"
candy, is that sure for me?" Hal
grasped.
Sure" Andy said "Und say, old
man, it's good one-und say, it's the
best ever; und oy golly, been a good
frient to me, und come in handy some
day for you; und you remember old
Andy by dot better than anything"
/ Shorty opened the bag and dropped
the revolver in The German held out
4 his arms and in trembling voice
said, kiss me, you rascal" and the
j boy Jumped into his arms.
Bill, who had been listening and
watching the men. was Juggling at his
waistcoat. "And here's an old watch
eye on it for some moons He'd "A
had it before" he explained conf
dentially to Jim. who was trying tc
prevent Bill from loosening it, "only
it belonged to my mother" He knel
down on the ground and opened his
arms "And now, old man. give me
long hug. Don't ever forget you
side-partner. Bill felt he must b.
| &<
move away. and surreptitiously to dis
their knuckles into eyes that were
showing their emotion.
Elated and excited by what seemed
play to him, Hal said, as he patted thu
foreman. tBe good, Bill" and the mel
, laughed as Bill answered:
) "Sure I will-sure-sure."
The horses began to stamp i'm
| patiently as they grew FESTIVE unde
the attack Of the flies. Diana looke
; at Sir John They must start short
3 ly, she knew; but who would max
, Jim realize that the final farewell I,
the child must be spoken. Petrie
, who through feeling of delicacy ha
, kept away from Jim and the boy al
] morning, came to Sir John and Dian
! with whispered message from tn
driver, who was anxious to make
: start.
AS though divining their thoughts
!. jim went to Bill, who was still holt
f ing Hal. He threw his arm around tn
: big fellows shoulders. Aren't 70
i goin' to drive to the fort, Bill?'
t mo, think you need me more tina
! he does"
I ooh, I'll be all right"
!, Jim's eyes searched the child's fact
:. For the boys sake he must contrt
: the aching sense of desolation the
: beset him.
:. The cow-punchers silently mad
! their way up to the wagon and bega
a adjusting its contents. No one noti'
! ed the dark, tragic face of Nat-u-ritc
> peering out of the loft door down 8
+ the child and the strangers that stoo
;. prepared to carry him away. Returnin
short time before from her hidin,
place by another trail, she had elude
!, her father, and crept into the bar
= while the men were absorbed in b