Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1907-12-05
CHAPTER n.

mOnd Stetson, or Ray, were cutting
boughs and carrying them to two tents
standing In the mouth of bush
choked opening into the forest. In
front OF this Angle, Martins wife. was
placing tin dishes. knives and forks
upon low table Of boards. Upon the
bank Of a broad. slow.running stream,
two canoes were drawn out, and half.
way between these and the table
campfire burnt.
Here Levi, Martins guide for many
trips into this wilderness, was also oc.
cupied, intently watching two pals de.
pending from bending wambecks, a
coffee-pot hanging from another, and
two frying.pans, whose sputtering con.
tents gave forth an enticing odor.
Twilight was Just falling. the river
murmured in low melody, and n few
rods above a small rill entered 1t. add.
ing n more musical tinkle.
Soon Levi deity swung one OF the
pals away from the fame with hook.
stick and speared potato with fork.
Supper ready" he called; and then
as the rest seated themselves at the
table. he advanced. carrying the pail
Of steaming hot potatoes on the hooked
stick and the frying.pan In his other
hand.
The meal had scarce begun when a
cracking In the underground back OF
the tent was heard, and on the instant
there emerged girl. Her clothing
was in shreds. her face and hands
we're black with mud. streaks Of blood
showed across cheek and chin, and her
eyes were fierce and sunken.
For Gods sake give me suthin' to
eat" she said. looking from one to an
other OF the astonlshed group. I'm
damn near starved-only a bite" she
added, sinking to her knees and ex.
tending her hands. Il hain't eat moth.
in but roots n berries for three days"
Angie was the first to recover
Here" she said. hastily extending heT
plate. take this"
Without a word the starved creature
grasped It and began eating as only o
desperate, hungry animal would. while
the group watched her.
Don't hurry So" exclaimed Martin
whose wits had now returned. Here,
take this cup of coffee"
Soon the food vanished and then the
girl arose. "Slt down again, my poor
child" entTeated Angie, who had oh
served the strange scene with moist
eyes. and tell US who you are and
! where you came from"
my names Chip" answered the
girl, bluntly. IAN I'm runnin' away
from Tins Place, cause dad sold me
to Pete Bolduc."
"Sold-you-to-Pe ex
claimed Angie. looking at her wide
eyed. What do you mean?"
"He did. sartin." answered the girl
laconically. II heerd 'em maxim the
bargain. n I fetched three hundred
dollars"
Martin and his wife exchanged
glances.
swell, and then what?" continued
| Angie.
"wal, then I waited spell. TIL
they'd turned in." explained the girl
"and then lit out. lnowed twas &C
miles TO the settlement. but twas
moonlight n CHANGED II. I've had
an awful time. though. the spites heN
chased me all the way. was jisi
maxim a nestle when seed yer light
an / crept through the brush n
peeked. seen ye want nobody from
Tins Place. n then / cum out.
guess you've saved my life. / wal
gittin' dizzy"
II was a brief. blunt story whose di
rectness bespoke truth: but It REVEALED
such a pigsty state OF morality at THU
Tins Place that the little group o
astonished listeners could scarce inisl
supper or cease watching this much
solled girl.
"And so your name is Chip" queries
Angie at last. Chip what?"
''chip MCGUIRE" answered the waii
quickly; only my real name ain
Chip. It's Vera; but they've allus calle'
me Chip at Tins Place"
"And your father sold you to thi
: man7"
: HE did, n he's a damn bad man.
replied Chip. readily. HE killed some
body once. an he don't show up often
hate himl"
''You mustn't use swear Words" n
turned Angie: tits not nice"
The girl looked abashed. Il gues
, you'd cuss II you'd been sold TO sue
q nastylooIGing man as Pete." she n
sponded. He chaws terbaccer n lot
/. II drizzle on his chin. n he hain't bu
: one eye"