Los Angeles herald., 1909-05-16

Her mother took the can up and turned it and
over in her hand. Then she put it down. He KANT
eat EN-" she said '"eat EN- yerself."
After her cold supper Sophronia lay down "jes
for a minnit' to get wink OF sleep She meant
sit up part of the night with her father and let her
mother rest. But she was worn out with her long
ride and her walk from the Three Mile Place that she
fell asleep at once.
The sun was shining in at the window, and her
mother looking white and scared, standing beside
her bed. "Suffronee," she whispered hoarsey, ye'd
better git up an git some one-yer pas worse agin."
Sophronia her feet in second and putting
on her clothes Her mother went back to the pan of
potatoes she peelng for breakfast But Sophronia
made up her mind not to wait for anything to eat
So when she dressed she reached for her bonnet
"Tll go right away" she said Then, suddenly, she
the bride lying the floor and gave frightened
gasp She had forgotten that Straps three miles
awayl
"Oh, ma" she cried, At ef Straps at tn Three Mile
Place What' dor" She began to explain, telling
about the little girl who wanted the donkey and her
own fear that the city gentleman would come for him.
An they're rch, she said they've got fve ham
mocksW
Her mother listened, too sad to scold, her tears
making little splashes in the potato pan. DO yer bes,"
all she said
Down the trail to the Three Mile Place Sophronia
ran fast her feet could 60 the bride swinging
beside her and knocking against her ankles at every
step. She had plenty of time to think while she ran
and she blamed herself for leaving Straps far from
the house that he could not be ready any moment
to go for help for her sick father
An hour later she up the trail toward her
home at the head of a strange procession Behind
Straps 'Old Joe" Modoc Indian who lived near
Bella VISTA and each side of the pony he rode
were strapped the front handles of long canvas
stretcher. Another pony ridden by Joes son,
ried the handles
The procession halted in front of the Powers cabin
where the Indian boy freed his pony from the sretcher
Then "Od Joe" went into the house to help Mrs.
Powers make the sick ready for his long journey
to Weavervile, thirty miles away Sophronia was not
there to help-for she and the boy travelling the
ri uoIlO
They did not stop at the house when they reached
it, but went hurrying on to the camp of the city
people in the alfalfa. When they rode in, Sophronia
slipped from her donkey's back and ran forward to
where the city gentleman was standing Please sir"
she said painting with her hard ride please sir I'm
win tub sell Straps" She held out the bride rens
to him, her face very pale but determined.
"W-h-a-tP cried the city gentleman, gazing down
IN establishment at the little pink apron, you're will
ing to sell your donkey? Well well, wellP'
YES SIR said Sophronia; pas sick an ma needs
the money"
The city gentleman put his hand into his pocket
very slowly and drew out big tweny-dolar piece
And you're selling him to help" he said holding out
the gold. WELL you brave little woman"
Sophronia took the money and, holding it very
tightly in one fist, turned to give Straps good-by
kiss. Dear Straps, she said putting her around
the long, soft nose, good-by' She laid her cheek
against him for moment kissed him, and then
without word mounted behind the Indian-and was
gone!
1t 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 as quickly as she could and helped the
Indians lift her husband into the trecher. They
ready for the journey to Weaverve
But where was Sophronia, who was to ride the
horse in the lead? Mrs. Powers, calling loudly be-
gan to search for her everywhere. After looking
through both rooms, she went to the back door and
shouted toward the barn. There was answer
Then she hurried to anything had happened
to the child. AS she turned the and came in
sight of the stall that had been the home of the little
donkey so long she saw her. Curled up and shaking
lauyn fha cfro
her face hidden in Strapss old saddle blanket.
One afternoon, four weeks later, Sophronia sat
the fence in front of the cabin thought
fully swinging her feet She thinking of Straps
and wondering where he She knew the city
folks had gone, and of course, they had taken him
with the-out into the big world that she and he had
viewed so often from the top of Bella Vista So she
would never see him again, ride the brown back with
ITS wonderful cross or pull the long, silky ears. And
at the thought, with swimming eyes and quivering
lips, she drew her sunbonnet far over her face
Just then she felt hand gently touch her shoulder.
s and her father spoke Wall Suffronee" he said.
isn't this TIL purtiest day? Sl%ud think ye'd be off
ridn aroun on Straps instead of sttin' here. Whar
rs the little Teller, enyway?"
She hestated moment before she answered "He's
gone" she said at last
"Gonel" exclaimed her father. wharf"
sick"
Mr.. Powers did not answer But as he leaned against
the fence the tall pines and the manzanitas blurred and
danced before him and he cleared his throat several
times.
Then, in the long pause that followed Sophrona
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 thumped wildly against
her pink apron she strained her eyes toward the
edge OF woods listening eagerly for a second cry.
There it was againl "Haw-he-haw"s Could it be? p
yes, it was-Straps voce
Sophrona nearly fell off the fence in her excitement
and by the time Straps had into sight across
the clearing, she running like mad to meet him.
calling his name at every breath Mr. Kooser was on
a
A moment of joyous rushing together and Soph-
roma had her arms around the donkey's neck and
was kissing him and sobbing in pure happiness
He's yourn" said Mr.. kooser as ne dismounted;
take i'm" Then he turned to Mr. Powers, who had
come up Les go in" he said 81 reckon they'll want
to talk a SPELL Ye see" he went on as they started
for the house. Il brung i'm daown cause that CITY
man sed tub me. sed he Tibet little Powers kid was
SO brave an onsesh tibet I'll jes leave her this here
things up"