The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-04-17

for minnis" to gel wink OF sieee. She man,
up part Of the night with her faser and let her
ride and her walk from the Three MHe P,ce ,has -
fell asleep at once.
The sun vas shining in At the window. and her
her bed "Suaronee" she whispered hoarsey. -yTd
better GIT up an git some oue-yer pas worse agin.
sophroni. was On her feet in a second and putting
on her elothe& Her mother back to the pan Of
potatoes she was peeng for breakfast But Sophrooa
made up her mind not to wait for ANYTHING 10 esf
so when she was dressed she reached for her bonnet
III go right away. she said. Then suddenly she
saw the bride lying the floor gave frightened
gasp. She had forgotten that Straps three miles
oh ma" she cried II ief Straps at tn Three Nil
Place! Whatll l do:" She began TO explain ,eiI;ns
about the little girl who wanted the donkey and her
mocks"
Her mother listened. too sad to scold her tear,
ws as a sss .; sd'sA*' in the potato pam
Down the trail to the Three Mile Place sophroai.
ran as fast her feet could go. the bride swnene
beside her and knocking against her ankles at every
step She had plenty of time think while she ran
and she blamed herself for leaving Straps so far from
the house that he could be ready at any moment
to go for help for her sick father.
An hour later she came up the trail toward her
eome at the head Of strange procession. Behind
Bella Vista. and on each side of the pony he rode
were strapped the front handles of long canvas
s!retcher Another pony. ridden by Joe's son. car
ried the handles.
The procession halted in front of the Powers cabin.
where the Indian boy freed his pony from tretcher
linen "Old Joe went into the house to help Mrs
fowers make the sick man ready for his long journey
, 10 wease1y,le thirty miles sophronia nos
trail to kooser's at hard galop
They did not stop At the house when they reached
n.on out wen. hurting on to the camp of the city
slipped from her donley's back and ran forward to
where the city gentleman was standing. Please sir.
,hf said d. painting init with her hard ride please 81: I'm
to him, her face very pale but determined.
WHAT" cried the city gentleman. Caring dow.
ing to sen your Donkey Wei. well. WE'LL
Yes, sir; said Sophronia; pas sick an ma needs
The city gentleman put hi. hand into hi. pocket
you're selling him to help he sad hoineP e e
soph1onia took the money '. and 'i sod;ne i
tightly in one FIST turned give Straps = good-by
, kiss on ar. STRAPS she said putting her arms around
against him for moment. kissed him, and then
without word mounted behind the Indian-and Vas
gone!
It was the boy who gave Mrs. Powers the twenty.
dollar piece and she took in great surprise There
o %as h.. no h se to ask however and she put
Indians lift her husband into the stretcher They we've
ready for the journey TO WeavervilIe.
horse in the lead? Mrs Powers calling loudly. g.
gan to search for her everywhere. After hooking
through both rooms. she went to the back door and
Then she hurried out to il anything had har,ened
to the child As she turned the corner and came IN
donkey 50 long. she saw her. Curled up and shaiiae
with sob: Sophronia lay the sraw-covered ground
her face hidden in Straps's old saddle blanket.
One afternoon. four weeks later Sophronia sat on
the fence in front of the cabin Thought
fu!y swinging her feet. She was thinking of StrsDs
folks Of ,s sss ha ai. ,.se s s
with then-out into the big world that she and he had
viewed so often from the top Of Bella Vista So she
h10na l. A. 49, At
ITS wonderful Cross or pull the long, silky ears And
At the thought with swimming eyes and -quiveripg
Just then she felt hand gently touch her shoulder.
and her father spoke. WALL Suffronee.. he aid
isn't this tn purtiest day? sh'ud think ye'd Be of
Iidn aroun on Straps instead Of sittin' here Whar
IS the little Teller. enyway!"
She hesated moment before she answered ~Hes
Gomez exclaimed her father wharf"
.i-sor I'M. faltered Sophronia, when ye vas
Mr. Powers did not answer. But =. he leaned ,,,;,..
the fence the tall pines and the manzanifas blurred and
danced before him and he cleared his throat several
Then, in the long pause that followed sophroais
sudoeniv lifted her head and listened What was
that From up the trail had sounded harsh, pro-
!ongeo saving like the big wheel of = lumber mill:
haw.nee-haw Her heart thumped wildly aaainst
her pink apron she strained her eyes toward the
There Il was again, Ha.aSeS,r. cou ideGao s. ssy
yes, It was-Straps voice!
sophroaa nearly fen off the fence in her excitement:
and BY the time Straps had come into siett across
the clearing she was running like mad to meet him.
calling his name at every breath Mr. Kooser was On
MS back and let him come At s1llop
moment of joyous rushing together and Soph-
Ionia nae her arms around the donkeys neck and
va. .iI Kissing him and .obbing IN pure happiness.
He's yourn. said Mr.. kooser as he dismounted:
take mn Then he turned Mr. Powers. who had
come up Les go in" he said, Il reckon they'n want
70 tax = SPELL Ye see" he on as they started
TOT the nss house b!une i'm dao.n cause tat city
man SEQ tub me. sed he Thet little Powers hid vas
so brave an onselsh tibet Til les leave her fs her
donkey as present when go-tuh kinda square