The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21
IT WAS heavy shedding on the Upper ottanoosis

II WAS heavy Shedding on the Upper Ottanoos
The two lumbermcn were nearing the close
OF the third day OF the hard four days haul,
in from the settlements TO the camp AT the
head OF the first team his broad Jaw set and
his small gray eyes angry with fatigue trudgcd
the big figure Of Red McWha. With his fiery red
head and his large rcd face he was the only one of
his colorng in a large family dark that they were
known as the BLACK AlcWhas. and his temper seemed
10 have been chroncay souTcd by the sngulaTity of
his type He was a good woodsman. however and a
good eamstcr and his horses followed confidently at
his heels like dogs. The second team was led BY 4
tall gaunt- -Jawcd. onecycd lumbcrman named Jim
Johnson, invariably known VALLEY" From the
fact that his blind eye OF peculiar blankncss.
like whiish porcelain he had been nick named Wall
Eye but owing to his general popularity combined
with the emphatic views ne held on that particular
subject, the name had been m,tigated TO Valley.
The two hauling in supplies tor Conroy 5
Camp Eittle OttanooSis Lake. Silently, but ior
the cank and crcak of the harness and the soft hut
thut of the troddcn snow the little procession toied
on through the soundlcss desolaon Presently the
teams rounded Of the tail and began 10 de-
sccud the steep slope which led down TO Joe God
dings solitary cabin on the edge OF Burnt Brook
Meadows.
But there was no light IN the window No homcly
pungency OF wood-smokc brcahed welcome on the bit
ter air The cabin looked startlngly deserted.
"Whoar commanded McWha sharply. and glanced
around at Johnson with an angry misgrvng IN his
eyes. The teams came to stop with shiYer OF all
their bells.
Then. upon the sudden stiffness arose the faint sound
OF chd's voice, hopelcssly.
@somethin wrong down yonderp growled McWha
As he spoke, Valley Johnson sprang past him. and
went Looping down the hill
Red McWha followed very deliberately with the
teams He resented anything emotional And he
was prepared to feel himself aggrcved
When he reached the cabin door the sound OF weep
ing had stopped Inside he found VALLEY Johnson on
his knees before the stove, hurriedly lighting hre
Wrapped in his coat and cutcbing his arm as If
afraid he might leave her, stood tiny, aaxen-ha
child perhaps five years old. The cabin cold. al
most as cold as the swapping night outside Along
the middle of the floor with bedcothes from the bunk
hcapcd awkwardly upon 1t in the little ones efforts
TO warm it back to responsive life, sprawlcd rigidly
the lank body of Joe Godding.
Red McWha stared for moment in silence then
stopped. examined the dead mans face, and iclt his
breast.
"Dcadcr'n herrlng" he mu,tered.
Johnson made no reply till the flame caught the
kndllng and rushed in from the open dfausht with
cordial roar. Then he stood up.
Hes been dead these hours and hoursl' he said.
"An' the fire out an the kid most froze A sick
man like he was to've kept the kid alone here with
him that-a-way!' And he glanced down at the dead
figure with severe reprobation ..e
Never much good, that Joe Goddingl' NUT
tered McWha always critical
As the two woodSmcn discussed the situation the
child a delicate featured, buc-eyed girl was gazing
up from under her mop of bright hair, first one,
then at the other Valley Johnson was the ono who
had conc in answer to her long waing, who had
hugged her close. and wrapped her up and crooncd
over her in his pity and driven away the tcrrors.
But she did not like to look at hlm, though his gaunt
saow face strong and kind
People apt TO talk easy generaliues about the
intuition OF ohildren! AS matter OF fact. the little
ones arc not above judging quite specifically and
falsely their elders. The child looked at her pro-
sghcss eye. then turned away and sided
TO McWha with hand coaxlngly outstrctched.
McWhas mouth twisted sourly. Without appearing
10 sec the tiny hand be defy evadcd it STOPPING
over the dead man. he picked him up Strengthened him
decently on his bunk, and covered HIM away from
sight with the blankets
"Yc needn't be crusty 10 the kid when she wants
10 make up TO yel" protested VALLEY. as the little ono
turned back to him with puzzled look IN her fearful
IT'S all alike they be, six, or sixteen, er sixy-sixw
remarked McWha sarcastcally stepping to the door.
Il don't want OF en- Gc kin look out for er!
I'm for the horses"
Don't talk out SO loud! admonislcd the little one.
You'll wake daddy Poor daddy's sick"
Poor lamb" murmurcd Johnson folding her to his
great breast with pang of pity mo, we won't wake
daddy Now, tell me, whats yer namc'
Daddy called me Rosy,Lly!' answered d., the child
playing with button on Johnsons vest 'ls he get
speak to Rosy-LiIlyI
Rosy Lilly it be-" agreed Johnson Now, jest
won't bother daddy, him bcin sckl You an nell
git supper"
The cabin WAS warm now, and tptoc Johnson
and Rosy-Lilly went about their work. setting the
table "bilin" the tea and frying the bacon. When
Red McWha came in from the barn. and stamped the
from his feet Rosy-Lly said Hush" laid her
finger on her lips and glanced meaningy at the move
less shape the bunk
we mus let i'm sleep, Rosy-Lilly saysw decrced
Johnson with emphasis which penetrated McWha'S
unsympathctic consciousness. and elected non-com-
initial grunt.
For nearly an hour the two smoked in,silcnec.
their steamng feet under the stove their backs turned
toward the long unstirring shape the big bunk AT
last Johnson stood up and shook himself.
We'll" he drawlcd. Il sposc wc mus be doin the
best we kin fer poor old Joe We can't leave him
here IN the house,
mo, can't" answered McWha He'd ha'nt it,
an us too, after, like not! We got 10 give
i'm lumbcrman's shift. till the boss kin send an take
i'm back to the settlement for the parson to do i'm
right an proper"
under the big elm behind the cabin, and piled
ncnt of cordwood above him. so that the foxes and
wild cats could not disturb his lonely sleep; and
mounted the pile with rude cross TO signify It's char
actcr. Then with lighter hearts, they went back TO
the cabin fire, which seemed to burn freely
that the grim presence OF its former master had been
removed
Now. what's to be done with the kd-with Rosy
Lilly? They do say i'll the settlements as how Joe