Mower County transcript., 1908-01-29

AAAH SAAAAS AAe1ICu ~ l0C C0em
bacon-colored critters get me before
got to Anthony's. Those tracks are
all from Anthony's; and there's moro
than men and property-there's An.
thongs little gal, and"
Alfred shivered at the significant
pause.
"Anthony's had hard luck. He's one
Of Gods best, if he is set up a mite
queer
Does he live alone? Oh, no; sup
pose he has helper as they have at
other stations. hasn't hep Alfred
hoped the driver would tell him more
of the station agent, not because of
his own interest in the agent, but that
he might be saved from thinking.
Yes, he has a helper, Gid Ingram;
but he's only boy, if he is big. And
Stella, pore little chicken! She
Alfred waited discreetly.
Away back in the fifties Anthony
struck it rich oveh Washoe way Un-
Gle Billy began again In a steadier
tone. Struck it powerful rich; panned
out money fastehn he could count it.
And what did he do but put up the
durndest biggest palace this side of
'Flisco-put it up right there where
he struck tin. 1t was a bang-up place
TO sho'; big rooms with floweh gyar-
nens in the carpets. and foweh gyar-
dens on the walls; gold chairs, and
looking glasses till yod see yo'self so
many times yod think yo'd got 'em
again.
That there house," he continued
presently, "stood in little artificial
looking gyarden, just as sassy as a jay
bird, setting there on the bare flank
of the Si-eery Nevaydys. But the
whole blamed outfit looked awful lone
some in spite of bein' so grand and
handsome. 1t seemed burned out of
place, like peafowl in full spread on
a snoWbank"
Didn't Mr.. Anthony have a fam
ily?" Alfred questioned.
Yes, one little gal; that was all.
When he got those domestic guards
dealt out to suit him, he sent back
east somewhere for her. She was a
peart little slip bout nine yeahs old
come oveh from Sacramento in nv
stage. I used to drive in Gods coun.
try those days.
ANTHONY put her in as mistress of
the mansion an there she'd sit in her
high-back chair at the head of the
table as big as life, the only bit of
crlnol1ne present when he'd give grand
dlnnehs to the Washoe quality. The
men would toast her, and she'd STAN
up and bow, solemn as a funeral"
What? No woman at all around
herr"
"Oh, he had an old woman to look
after her mite, comb and mend. and
such; good old critteh, but no
thoroughbred. And except for her the
little one neveh saw any but men,"
How did she learn anything?"
Anthony himself taught her: he
was teacheh once. She was as peart
as chain lightning; and he had oodles
of books.
Anthony went fiat broke a. few
yeahs back: lost everything, including
his grip. Some friend put in a word
for him with the old man, and he came
oveh hyah to hold up this station"
us he going to keep her here al
ways?"
mo, that's fretting him. He told
me on the quiet he was fixing to take
her inside and put her to school this
yeah in San Francisco"
How old is she?"
She's young enough. Sav. voune
felleh!" Uncle Billy turned sharn]v
and his words were stern. Likely she
am cut afteh the pattern O. crinoline
yore used to; but she's fast colohs
all right. And five may see mo-
hke-like what's back yondeh-I want
to stake you right now to stand by
Stella Anthony
You can count on me-"
Inc words were curt, but something
In their utterance satisfied the driver.
Jimmy! The barns gone!" Uncle
Billy exclaimed as the stage drew near
square stone house, loop-holed like
battle ship, with tiny points of light
shining through.
A heavy bar ratified to the floor in
side, the one door opened cautiously.
and woman appeared holding a can
ole In her upligted hand. She was
tall and straight, her figure youthful
In spite of unusual size: but the
aaring flame, cleaning down over her
breeze-tossed hair, cast aging shad-
oWs on her face; and Alfred saw the
candle-stick shake.
1T that you, Uncle Billy?" The
voice was steady, yet Alfred caught
Its note of terror.
Eyes, honey" Relief and tender.
ness blended in the answer.
"The Indians-did you get through
without any trouble?"
Yes, without trouble, now that
Zee my little gals safe." He was
quickly on the ground, his arms
around her. 5.....
"Oh, Uncle Billy, father's-oh.
don't know where he is! The barns
burned, TIE stock gone, and Gid and
I've fought 'em all" Her voice broke
and she hid her faca IN h,s sho.,a