Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-09-27
Soon the food vanished and then the


Soon the food vanished and then the
girl arose. "Sit down again. my poor
child, entreated Angie, who had OBJ
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."
o-Pete-Bolduc." ex-
claimed Angie, looking at her wide
eyed. What do you mean?"
He did, sartin," answered the girl,
laconically. Il heerd EN- maxim the
bargain, n l fetched three hundred
dollars"
Martin and his wife exchanged
glances.
well, and then what?" continued
Angie.
Wal. then l waited a spell, till
they'd turned in" explained the girl,
and then lit out. l knowed twas 60
$50 20 TIE settlement, bat twas
mecn' 1T n I Glanced it. I've had
an avail time, though. the spites hev
chased me all the way. l was list
mako a nestle when l seed yer light.
an crept through yhe lasb n
peeked. seen We wau nobody from
Tim Place, n tlen ! cum ou.
guess you've saved lie. I was
zittia' dizzy
II was h'iof. blunt story whose al!
eectn pele truth; bpt itreve
suea Iiz ty STATE of morality al tlis
Tins Pace that the little group OF
astolisEed listeners could scarce dnish
supper Or cease watching ia.s much
soiled girl.
and SO your name Is Chip" Querlel
.Anea At last. Chip what?"
Chip MCGUIRE" answered the wah.
quickly; only my real name sin
Chip. It's Vera; but they've allus called
ne Chip at Tins Place"
and your father sold yoa to this
MANI"
He did, N he's damn bad man."
replied Chip, readily. "He killed some
body once. an he don't show up often.
I hate him!"
you mustn't use swear words" re
turned Angie; tits not nice"
The girl looked abashed. Il guess
you'd cuss If you'd been sold to such
4 nasty-loolling man as Pete" she re-
sponded. He chaws terbaccer n lets
it drizzle on his chin. n he haint but
one eye
Angie smiled, while Martin stared at
the girl with increased astcnishment.
He knew who this Mcclure was, and
something of his history, and that
Tins Place was hillside clearing far
up the river, Inhabited by an Irish
family devoted to the raising of pota-
toes. He had halted there once, long
enough to observe Its somewhat sloth-
full condition. and to buy pork and pc
tatoes; but this tale was revelation,
and the girl herself greater one.
This oasis in the wilderness was
fully 40 miles above here, its only con-
lection with civilization was a seldom
used log road which only an expert
snced woodsman could follow, and
now this mere child had dared it, was
4 marvel
But there she was, squat on the
ground and watching them with big
black. pleading eyes. There was but
one thing to do, to care for her now,
rs humanity insisted, and Angie made
the first move. 1t was In the direction
of cleanliness for entering the tent,
she soon appeared with some of her
xtra nlnthinu nd
and babe the girl follow her up the
river few rods.
The moon was shining clearly above
the treetops, the campfire burned
brightly, and Martin, Ray and Levi
were Longing near it when the two
returned, and in one an astonishing
transformation had taken place.
Angie had gone away with a girl of
ten in respect TO clothing, her skirt
evidently made of gunny cloth and
reaching but little below her knees.
and for a waist, what was once a
mans red flannel shirt, and both in
rags. Soiled with black mud, and
bleeding, she was an object pitiable
beyond words: she returned a young
lady almost. in stature, her face shin
ing and rosy. and her eyes SO tender
with gratitude that they were pathetic.
Another change hal also come with
cleanliness and cloth.ng-a sudden
bashfulrass. 1t was some time ere
she could he made to talk again, but
finally that wore away and then her
story came What a tale 1t was
scarce credible.
1t was fantastic. weird. almost
spoolish tale,-the spsctres she had
seen were so real to her that the tell
ing made them seem almost so to the
rest, and beyond that, the girl herself,
so like a young witch, with her shad-
owy eyes and furtive glances. added to
the illusion.
But now came diversion, for Levi
freshened the. fire, and at nod from
Angie, Ray brought forth his banjo.
1t was his one pet foible, and it went
HI