Bridgeton pioneer., 1913-07-03

naTu on tne ROAD running through the
cabins when a small woman, weigh
ing less than 100 pounds. was seen
walking up from the station. where
the stagecoach had just stopped
"Can you direct me to the cabin OF
Joe Wheeler" she asked when she
reached the group.
The women looked at one another
inquiringly. None of them appeared
to have heard of Mr.. Wheeler.
He came here some time ago from
Ohio"
"Ohio" exclaimed chorus Of voices
"Oh. he's gone TO Denver. But he's
coming back to devefop his mine. Hes
been getting capital for it."
"Yes. I've heard about that" re
marked the stranger in quiet voice
(which is Joe's cabinT
They pointed to Ohio's abiding place.
and the woman went on. directing her
steps toward it. One of the others
called after her:
you'd better not interfere with any
thing that belongs to Ohio. He's just
awful"
"Is he?" said the other in the same
modulated voice. and proceeded on her
way.
Goodness graciousp' exclaimed the
woman who had warned her. "1f she
touches anything there, when he comes
home he'll kill her."
Don't you believe it." said Mrs.
Mulligan. ITS my opinion that there's
somethin' in the comm o. this Teddy.
If man hasn'tgot anything there's
nobody to take an interest in i'm. but
just as soon as prosperity comes to i'm
a woman appears. and it's likely that
she's got string tied to i'm. I'm
thinkin' that the leddy's goin' to clip
his wings, so he won't be fyin' SO high
as he was"
The stranger. finding Ohio's door Sc
cured with paddock. left 1t to return
with a bit of iron. with which she re-
moved the staple; then went In and de-
liberately took of her hat and wraps.
Women In the surrounding cabins
were eyeing her with wonder. while
groups Of citizens were gathering to
see what next would happen. But
the stranger went about making her.
self comfortable, apparently uncon-
scious of the awful doom hanging over
her.
'There'll be MURDER" exclaimed
Mrs. Walker.
Don't y believe it." said Mrs. Null
Ngan. "She's his wife,"
"How do you know that?"
81 can tell it. because she's not
a-feared of i'm. She's got cinch on
i'm, you may be sure. Mebbe it's un-
paid alimony: mebbe it's bigamy; any
way, she's got the whip hand of i'm
and like enough without either the ali
mony or the bigamy either. Wait and
see."
The stranger was seen to be hunting
in Ohio's larder. She got out can Of
tea and other articles and proceeded
to prepare meal. When she brought
forth ham that had not been cut and
began to silver savory slices a shiver
passed over the lookers-on. Ohio had
secured the ham at great price be-
fore leaving and had warned the camp
that If he found Oh his return that ii
had been molested he would break ev-
cry bone in the body of the molester.
The next day when the stage arrived
Ohio was aboard. Several persons who
remarked him hurried up the gulch to
spread the news and see the fun when
he found his cabin had been jumped.
The consequence was that every man,
woman and child turned out and gath
cred about the Ohio homestead. When
the proprietor came up and saw the
crowd he asked what was the matter.
Being told that his cabin had been
opened. his supplies used and his bed
slept in, his anger rose. but when In
formed that his ham had been cut and
partly eaten he roared like a bull
Rushing to his cabin. he opened the
door. which the lady within Immediate
ly shut behind him. Since the calico
curtain to the window had been drawn
the audience were cut off from wit
Messing what was going on inside.
Most Of them listened for shrieks. but
no shrieks were heard Ohio and the
Jumper remained unseen for some ten
minutes; then the two came out to-
gether. The change in the former was
marvellous. He had entered the cabin
like lion and had come out like a
lamb.
Scents and ladies'" he said, ALLOW
me to introduce to you all my wife,"
Loving wife," the stranger sug-
gested
my loving wife," Ohio went on
'For several months I've entoyed"-at
look from the wife he changed the
word enjoyed to suffered-"a period Of
single blessedness."
"Cursedness." the lady suggested.
y"Cursedness. am happy to say that
shall have her assistance in work
ing and developing my mine. which
has thus far made fine showing. l
hope you'll all come and pay your re-
spects to Mrs. Ohio-I mean Wheeler"
Tint was the last of the domination