Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-02-20
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER ".
Martin Frisbie and his nephew Ray
mond Stetson, Dr. Ray, were cutting
boughs and carrying them to two tents
standing in the mouth of a BUSH
choked opening into the forest. In
front of this Angie, Martins wife, vas
placing tin dishes, knives and forks
upon a low table of boards. Upon the
bank of a broad, slow-running stream,
two canoes we're drawn out, and half
way between these and the table a
campfire burnt.
Here Levi, Martins guide for many
trips into this wilderness, was also &C.
cupied, intently watching two pals de-
pending from bending wambecks, a
coffee-pot hanging from another, and
two frying-pans, whose suffering con
tents gave forth an enticing odor.
Twilight was just falling, the river
murmured in low melody, and a few
rods above a small rill entered it, add
ing a more musical tinkle.
Soon Levi deftly swung one of the
pals away from the fame with a hook
stick and speared a potato with a 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 a girl. Her clothing
was in shreds, her face and hands
were 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 astonished group. I'm
damn near starved-only a bite she
added, sinking to her knees and ex-
tending her hands. 81 hain't eat moth
in but roots n berries for three days"
Angie was the first to recover
Here" she said, hastily extending her
plate, take this"
Without a word the starved creature
grasped it and began eating as only a
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. "Sit down again, my poor
child" e%ntreated Angie, who had OBJ.
served the strange scene with moist
eyes, land 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."
ex-
claimed Angie, looking at her wide
eyed. What do you mean?"
HE did, sartin," answered the girl,
laconically. 81 heerd 'em maxim the
bargain, n I fetched three hundred
dollars"
Martin and his wife exchanged
glances.
"Well, and then what?" continued
Angie.
wal, then I waited a spell, till
they'd turned in," explained the girl,
and then I lit out. l knowed twas so
miles to the settlement, but twas
moonlight n / CHANGED it. I've had
an awful time, though, the spites hev
chased me all the way. | was list
maxim a nestle when 1 seed yer light,
an | crept through the brush m
peeked. | seen we want nobody from
Tins Place, n then l cum out. I
guess you've saved my life. l was
gittin' dizzy"
1t was a brief, blunt story whose d.
rectness bespoke truth; but it revealed
such a pigsty state of morality at this
Tins Place that the little group Of
astonished listeners could scarce finish
or cease watching this much
girl.
And so your name is Chip" queried
at last. "Chip what?"
Chip MCGUIRE" answered the waif,
quickly; only my real name amt
Chip, it's Vera; but they've allus called
me Chip at Tins Place"
"And your father sold you to this
"He did, N he's a damn bad man."
Chip, readily. HE killed some
body once, an he don't show up often.
| hate him!"
"You mustn't use swear words" re-
turned Angie; its not nice"
The girl looked abashed. 81 guess
you'd cuss if you'd been sold to such
nasty-looking man as Pete" she re-
sponded. HE chaws terbaccer n lets
It drizzle on his chin, n he hain't but
one eye"
To BE CONTINUED
-