Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-07-22

one was Picture as She Climbed
to the High Seat.
some one questioned her intention to
lead. IF one O them teams stalls, the
whole procession is f1oored No, sir.
rec! l got good wagons an a good
team; an I'm goin' through On time, l
ami"
The tarpaulin-covered wagons were
drawn up in front of the hotel. Sally
b. Inspected everything with the eye
or an old teamster-harness, COUP
lings, the adjustment of the load.
why, ma, you looked it all over be-
FORE Viola said, tagging her mother
like a shadow.
L know that; but accidents han
pens in busy times. Then them pesky
hostlers might think it was funny ter
fergit something cause I'm a woman.
Men think themselves so smart! That
Shack lowed 1 didn't need any back
action with my load"
We'll, do you, MAJ" Viola only
asked to hear her mother vindicate
herself before the admiring bystand-
ers.
We'll, don't I? S'pose I'm goin' to
use up yo' paws fine stock a-puttin'
all my load on one wagon? What did
he send two wagons fur if 1 wasn't ter
use EN-? I'll work that back-action
on all the heavy spots, an git the load
an yo' paws team inter Virginia
ahead of Gids teams, an in good
order. See if 1 DON'T"
You bet you will, MAJ" Viola ex-
claimed with ardor and unusuak slang.
The moment for starting came, and
Sally B. turned to her lately arrived
helper. Jimmy Dart, you do yo' pref
test fur the shebang an I'll make We
glad, she said, and wheeled quickly to
hug her dear women folks" Viola
she held in her arms for a silent mo-
ment.
Take keer of her, Stella" she said
softly, placing Viola's hand in her
teachers. She's the hull world to
me-
Il will, Mrs. Sally" Stella saw
tear on the dark cheek as Sally B.
wrung her hand
She was picture as she climbed
to the high seat and took up the lines,
APPLY as Uncle Billy himself. Driver?
What do l need of a driver? I've driv
six Golly! wish l had doller fur
every mile I've driv six, the swing
team a-buckin' sometimes like fresh
converted sinner agin Ole Nick
She wore short, dark wooden skirt,
a lot
her neck and a mans felt hat It'll
last better'n woman's," she told the
girls. Huge-wristed gauntlets made
her hands look ridiculously small, as
did the high-booted foot that swung
out on the brake.
The sun had chased the mercury far
above the hundred mark in shady
hooks. On the porch the heat was in
tolerable. Yet the hotel people and
town folk were gathered there to see
Sally B. off, and Vic Wah had donned
four satin coats in her honor.
Sally B. loosed the brake trifie,
called to her leaders, waved a last
goodbye and was off down the hill.
The load shook a little and settled to
its long haul, skyward as well as east
ward. The horses, rested and fresh,
snorted and tossed their heads, ratified
their metal-buckled harness; and one
OF the swing team danced sidewise
down the road and out of sight. Sally
B. looked back frequently to see if her
freight was riding safely; and at the
last turn in sight, took off her hat and
swung it to the girls and grandma am,
yet watching from the hot porch.
The crowd soon melted away and
left the three alone. Stella put her
arms around Viola, and they stood so
an instant, both forlorn, oppressed.
Yet with one accord they remembered
grandma am, and turned to help her
back to her cool room. And in that
service the homesick moment was
conquered.
CTO BE CONTINUED.)