Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-21

vi WAS heavy Shedding on the Upper Ottanoosis
trail
The two umbermen were nearing the close
q Nof 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, trudged
the big figure of Red McWha. With his fiery red
head and his large red face he the only of
his colorng in large family so dark that they were
known the BLACK McWhas, and his temper seemed
have been chronicay Soured by the sngularity of
his type. He a good Yoodsman, however, and a
good teamster, and his horses followed confidently at
his heels like dogs The, second team was led by a
TALL gaunt- -jawed, one-eyed lmnberman named Jim
Johnson, invariably known VALLEY" From the
fact that his blind eye of peculiar blankness,
like whtsh porcelain, he had been nick-named Wall
Eye" but owing to his general popularity, combined
with the emphatic views he held on that particular
subject the had been mitigated to Valley
The two were hauling in supplies for Conroy's
Camp, Little Ottanooss Lake Silently, but for
the clank and creak of the harness. and the soft thut
thu of the trodden snow, the little procession toiled
on through the soundless desoation. Presently the
teams rounded turn of the trail and began to de-
scend the steep slope which led down to Joe God
ding's solitary cabin on the edge of Burnt Brook
Meadows
But there was no light in the window. No homey
pungency Of wood-smoke breathed welcome the Bit
ter air. The cabin looked startlingly deserted
"Whoap commanded McWha sharply, and glanced
around at Johnson with an angry misgving in his
eyes The teams came to a stop with shlver OF all
their bells.
Then upon the sudden stiffness, the faint sound
of child's voice, hopelessy.
"Somethn' wrong down yonder" 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 aggrieved.
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 lre
Wrapped in his coat, and clutching his arm if
afraid he might leave her, stood tiny faxen-haired
child perhaps five years old The cabin cold, al
most as cold as the swapping night outside Along
+Ie hedc1 he
heaped awkwardy upon it IN the little one efforts
to warm it back responsive life, sprawled rigdly
the lank body of Joe Godding.
Red McWha stared for moment IN silence, then
stopped, examined the dead mans face, and felt his
breast.
"Deader'n herringw he muttered.
Johnson made no reply till the flame caught the
kndlng and rushed in from the open draught with
cordial Then he stood up.
Hes been dead these hours and hours! he said.
"An' the fire out an the kid most frozel 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.
Never was much good, that Joe Godding!" NUT
tered McWha, always critical
AS the two woodsmen discussed the situation, the
child, delicate featured, blue-eyed girl was gazing
up from under her mop Of bright hair, first at one,
then at the other. Valley Johnson the one who
had come in answer to her long waing, who had
hugged her close, and wrapped her up, and crooned
over her in his pity and driven away the terrors.
But she did like to look at him, though his gaunt,
salIow face strong and kind.
People apt to talk easy generalites about the
intuition of childrenl AS matter of fact, the little
not above judging quite as specifically and
falsely as their elders The child looked at her pro-
tectors sghess then turned away and sided
to McWha with hand coaxingly outstretched.
McWha's mouth twisted sourly. Without appearing
to see the tiny hand he deity evaded it. STOPPING
the dead man. he picked him up Strengthened him
out decenty on his bunk, and covered him away from
sight with the blankets.
"Ye needn't be crusty to the kid when she wants
to make up YEP protested VALLEY, the little
turned back him with puzzled look in her fearful
blue eyes.
"It's all alike they be- SIX or sixteen er sxty-sixp
remarked McWha sarcasticaly stepping to the door.
Il don't want of em! Ye kin look out for FER!
I'm for the horses"
Don't talk out loud" admonished the little one.
You'll wake daddy. Poor daddy's siclT'
"Poor lamb!" murmured Johnson folding her to his
great breast with pang of pity. mo, won't wake
daddy. Now, tell me, what's yer name?"
Daddy called me Rosy-Lily" answered the child
playing with button on Johnsons vest is he get
tin warmer now? He was SO cold, an he wouldn't
"Rosy-Lly it bep agreed Johnson "Now, we jest
won't bother daddy, him bein sick! You an nell
git supper"
The cabin was now, and on tptoe Johnson
and Rosy-Lly went about their work, setting the
table, blin'" " the tea, and frying the bacon. When
Red McWha came in from the barn. and stamped the
from his feet Rosy-Lily said Hush" laid her
finger on her lips and glanced meaningy at the move
less shape in the bunk
eve mus let i'm Sleep Rosy-Lilly saysp decreed
Johnson with emphasis which penetrated McWha's
unsympathetic consciousness and elected non-com-
initial grunt
For nearly an hour the two men smoked in silence,
their seaming feet under the stove their backs turned
toward the long unstirrng shape in the big bunk At
last Johnson stood up and shook himself.
WELL" he drawled, Il s'pose mus be dein the
best kin fer poor old Joe. We can't leave him
here in the house!"
'No, we can't" answered McWha, He'd ha'nt it,
an too, ever after, like as notp We got to give
i'm lumbermans shift, till the boss kin send an take
i'm back to the settlement for the parson to do i'm up
right an proper"
So they buried poor Joe Godding deep in the snow
under the big elm behind the cabn and piled monu-
ment of cordwood above him, so that the foxes and
wild could disturb his lonely Sleep and sur
mounted the pile with rude cross to signify its char
acer. Then, with lighter hearts, they went back to
the cabin fire, which seemed to burn freely now
that the grim presence of its former had been
removed.
"Now. what's to be done with the kid-with Rosy
Lilly? They do say in the settlements as how Joe