The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1909-09-22


said. ''She has the reglar Doolittle
nose and her grandfather's chin right
over ag'in. She's downright purity
she looks like her ma and Lucy was
the best lookin' one of our family.
But she don't write word about her
brother. l wonder how that is. Lucy
had two children"
Three weeks later the stagecoach
came whirling up to Aunt Nance's
door, and Jack Hughes called out when
he saw Aunt Nance at the open door:
Light load today. Aunt Nance
only one passenger. and l guess she's
the one you're lookin' for"
A young girl. her plain black dress
and hat covered with dust. stepped
to the ground Aunt Nance embraced
her warmly.
you're sister Lucy's Marcia" she
exclaimed excitedly. Il know with
out askin'. You're reglar Doolit-
tie, and you don't know how glad am
to see your
"You don't really look strong" Aunt
Nance said while Marcia was eating
the elaborate dinner prepared express
~ for her. But. la, my dear, you'll
look like another girl after summer
up here in this mountain air"
Then she suddenly asked in a softer
tone. "Where is your brother David,
Marcia?'
Marcias smile gave place to panied
and troubled look.
81 don't know, aunt" she said
Don't know? Why. how is that?"
cit is more than a year since we
have heard anything from David" said
Marcia. Then she added: That is one
reason why | wanted to come west,
told me about my health. | think Da-
vid is out here. did not write any
thing about it. for l thought | would
rather tell you all about it myself |
thought you might understand the story
better and feel more kindly toward him
to see you.
1t was brief and sorrowful little
story of boys waywardness that she
told, not an uncommon story of nat
urally well disposed boy being led into
wrongdoing by evil companions and
finally running away after bringing dis
grace upon his home.
''All we have known for nearly two
years is that he is in the west. We
heard once of his being in this state.
If could only find him, | am sure be
could yet be saved. He is so young
not yet twenty"
"Fll help you End him." said Aunt
Nance earnestly. We'll begin at once.
| know all the stage drivers around
here and people in nearly all the noun
tain towns. If he's anywhere in this
part of the state We'll find him, dear.
Merrick amt a common name"
The mountain summer soon came on
in all its soft and tender beauty. Mar
cia lived out of doors much of the time
She rode on horseback down into the
grassy gulches or far up to the noun
tain SUBMITS, where the SHOW lay in
little patches throughout all the sum-
mer days. Soon the color came to her
cheeks. Her thin shape grew rounder
and fuller.
The night of the 10Th of Au-
gust was one long remembered by
the dwellers on that mountain side
and by those in the gulch below. They
time Of the big storm"
At 8 O'Clock the wind abated it's
fury. At 10 it had died away so that
no sound was heard but the pouring of
the rain. Marcia and Kate Dooley
went to bed
1t was II o'clock when Aunt Nance.
rising to go to bed. stopped suddenly,
threw up her head and listened.
The rain was falling softly now, and
high above it's gentle sound she heard
a voice Shrek out as if in mortal
terror. Then she heard mems voices
shouting wildly.
What in the name Of wonder is 60
in on up there on Taylor mountain
at this time of night?" she asked her,
self as she hurried to door and look
ed out into the darkness.
Dear. dear" she said. with more
~ A. ASotAOb tbdh VI 1CdI Ill LEI NOlC6.
Il wonder when this countrys ever
goin' to get civilized SO folks III live as
if they was Christians. There's mis-
chief goin' on up there. | saw them
Taylor mountain boys whisperin' to-
gether and lookin' savage when they
were down here to dinner today. I've
a notion to- Who's that?'
The rear door of the room had open
ed suddenly and been closed.
Aunt Nance turned quickly. Before
her. his back to the door. his hands
spread out upon it as if he would hold
it against all resistance. stood hatless
and coatless young man. his clothes
drenched and tattered his face ashen
pale. his eyes wild and staring, while
his slender form quivered with fear.
ooh. please come in and shut that
door" he cried. stretching out one
hand imploringly. They're after me-
those men are. Can't you hide me?
haven't done what they say have
Hide me- Hide mel"
Aunt Nance slowly closed the door,
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