The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-03-19
THERON WAY
Continued from page

When strangers wants beds, you
two gals come together to show EN-
up. an have Wing bring up tho car
pet bags"
Why, ma? You always bring 'em
up yourself"
That's all right; but you mind. /
amt goin' to have you an your seach-
err totin' baggage just cause I hain't
got no STYLE"
Only the stage took the road ahead
OF Sally b. the next day. Do you
think I'm goin' ter git mixed with Gid
Ingram's outft?" she asked when
some n questioned her intention to
lead. "If one o. them teams stalls. the
whole procession is foored. No, sir
rec! I got good wagons an a good
team; an I'm goin' through on time, /
ami"
The tarpaulin-coyered wagons were
drawn up in front OF the hotel. Sally
b. inspected everything with the eye
of an old teamster-harness, coup
lings, the adjustment of the load.
why. ma, you looked 1t all over be-
FORE" Viola said, tagging her mother
like a shadow.
II know that; but accidents hap
pens in busy times. Then them pesky
hostlers might think 1t was funny ter
fergit something cause I'm a woman
Men think themselves so smart. That
Shack lowed / didn't need any back
action with my load"
We'll, do you, MAJ" Viola only
asked TO hear her mother yindicate
herself before the admiring bystand-
ers.
We'll, don't /? 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 IL | wasn't ter
use EN-? I'll work that b~ack-aetion
on all the heavy spots, an git the load
an 20 paws team inter Virginia
ahead of Gid's teams, an in good
order. See If | DON'T"
You bet you will, MAJ" Viola ex-
claimed with ardor and unusual slang.
The moment for starting came, and
Sally b. turned to her lately arrived
helper. Jimmy Dart, you do yo' pref
tiest 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 a
ear on the dark cheek as Sally b.
wrung her hand.
She was a picture as she climbed
to the high seat and took up the lines.
aptly as Uncle Billy himself. Driver?
What do | need of a driver? I've driv
six Golly. / wish | had a doller fur
every mile I've driv six, the swing
team a-buckin' sometimes like a fresh
converted sinner agin Ole Nick"
She wore a short, dark wooden skirt.
n calico waist, a white kerchief around
her neck and a mans felt hat. 'Itll
last better'n a woman's,' she told the
her hands look rldiculously small, as
did the ~high-booted foot that swung
put 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 a triile,
called to her leaders, waved a last
goodbye and vas of 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
or the swing team danced sidewise
down the road aud out of sight. Sally
II. looked back frequently to see If her
freight was riding safely: and at the
last turn In sight, took OFF her hat and
swung 1t 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 f~orlorn, oppressed.
Yet with one accord they remembered
grandma'am. and turned to help her