The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-08-28

Her mother took The up and turned it over and
over IN her hand hen She pot it down. "IIc KANT
cat en-, she said; Cat en- yersclf'
After her cold supper Sophronia Law down Gee,
tor minnn to get wink OF sleep She meant
to sit up part OF the night with her father and lc her
mQther rest. But She was so out with her long
Ide and her walk from the Three Mile Place that She
fell asleep once
he sun was shining in at the window. and her
nother looklng white and scared. standing beside
er her bed "SuffIoncc," she whispered hoarsey "yc'd
petter GIT up an git some one-ycr pas worse agin"
Sophronia was on her feet in second and putting
on her clothes. Her mother went back TO the Dan Of
potatoes she pcclng for breakfast But Sonhron;9
maze up her mind not 10 wait for ANYTHING to ca.
80 when sne was dressed she reached for her bonnet
III go night away she said. Then, suddenly she
saw the pride lying on the floor and gave frightened
away! ''''|'
oh ma" Sic cried, "I cf Straps at In Three Mile
race WhstH | do5 She began TO explain telling
ABOUT the little girl who wanted the donkey and her
own fear that the city gentleman would como for him
mockS~
Her mother listened, too sad TO scod. her tear,
m1Eng le spIashe5 IN the potato pan. DO yer bes.
Down the trail TO tho Three Mile Place sophronia
ran as last as her feet could go the bride swinging
beside her and knocking against her ankles AZ cyery
step She had plenty of time to think while she ran
ana she blamed herself for leaving Straps so far from
the house that he could not be ready AT any n,omen
70 go ior help Tor her sick father
An hour later she came up the trail toward her
nome at the head of strange procession Behind
straps was old Joe" a Modoc Indian who lived near
Bella Vista. and on each side Of the nonv bc rod.
were strapped the front handles Of q long canya,
streIoher Another pony ridden b. Jocs son. car
ried the handles
The procession halted in front OF the Powers cabin
where the Indian boy freed his pony from the stretcher
Then "Old Joe" went into the house TO helm Ms
Powers make the sick ready Tor his long journey
TO Weayervile. thirty miles away Sophrons was NOT
he hc.r -.L-
trail TO koosers at hard gallop
lhey did not stop at the house when they reached
H. but went hurEnng on to The camp of the city
slipped from her donkcy's back and ran forward to
where the city gentleman standing Please sir"
she said painting with her hard ride please sir I'm
10 him, her face very pale but determined
What cried the city gentleman. gazing down
in asonShment at the Little pink apron, you're will
ing to sell your Donkey Well, well. wellr
Yes, sir" said Sophronia; pas sick an ma need,
the money"
The city gentleman put his hand into his pocket
very slowly and drew out big twenty-dolllr piece.
And you're selling him to help he said holding out
the gold. Well you are brave little woman"
SSophronla took the money and, holding it very
tightly IN one FIST, turned 10 give Straps a good-by
hss Dear Straps, she said, putting her arms around
the long soft nose, good-by' She laid her wet check
against him for moment kissed him, and then
without word mounted behind the Indan-and was
gone
It the boy who gave Mrs Powers the twenty
dollar piece and She took it in great surprise There
was no time to ask questions. however, and She put
on her bonnet quickly she could and helped the
Indians lift her husband into the sretcher They were
ready for the journey TO WeavervilIc.
But where Sophronia, who was to ride the
horse IN the lead? Mrs. Powers calling loudly, be-
gan 10 search for her everywhere Alter looking
through both rooms. she went TO the back door and
shouted toward the barn. There was no answer
Then she hurried out TO sec il anything had happened
TO the child. As she turned the corner and came in
sight OF the stall that had been the home OF the little
ITF1rf eIg 4
with sobs. Sophronia lay the straw-covered ground
her face hidden in StrapSs old saddle blanket
One afternoon four weeks later. Sophronia sat on
the stakesndrIdcr fence in front of the cabin thought
fully swinging her feet, She was thinking of Straps
and wondering where he was She knew the city
folks had gone, and. of course. they had taken him
with heni-out into the big world that she and he had
viewed so often from the top OF Bella Vista So she
would never sec him again. ride the brown back with
IT'S wonderful cross, pull the long, silky And
at the thought with swimming eyes and quivering
lips. she drew her Sunbonnet far her face
Just then she felt hand gently touch her shoulder.
and her father spoke. wall Sufroncc.' he said,
isn't this tn purest day? Sh'ud think ye'd be off
IS the little feller, cnyway?'
She hesltated a moment before she answered Hes
gone" she said at last
"Gonel exclaimed her father. wharf"
lml-sol im. faltered Sophronia when ye
MIR Powers did not answer But as he leaned against
the fence the tall pines and the manzantas blurred and
danced before HIM and nc cleared his throat several
times.
Then. in the long pause that followed Sophronia
suddenly lifted her head and listened What was
that? From up the trail had sounded harsh. pro-
longed saving like the big wheel of a lumber mill
Haw-hee-haw." Her heart thurped wildly against
her pink apron she strained her eyes toward the
edge of woods listening eagerly for second cry
There it again. "Haw-hc-haw-" Could it be3-
yes, il was-Straps voice!
Sophrons nearly fell off the fence in her excitement
and by the time Straps had come into sight across
the clearing she running like mad to meet him.
calling his name at every breath MIR. Kooser
his back and let him at a galop
ronia had her arms around the donkcys neck and
kissing him and sobbne in pure happiness
Hes youru." said Mr. kooser as nc dismountcd;
take i'm Then he turned to Mr. Powers, who had
up Les so in, he said. 81 reckon they'll want
10 talk spell We see he went as they started
for the house, II brung im daown cause that city
scd tub scd he. 'Tliet little Powers kid was
brave an oasclfs' ket III les leave her this here
lnnkcu nrasn-t u-i.--l / nn-a..l Lnda sn1,,rc