The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-08-07


II years old, but had lived in the North
country for two years, ever since her
father had decided to seek his fortune
in the land of SHOWS. For as she was
the only child and her mother dead,
she would not let him come alone.
But now father was i'll. Worry and
constant work and constant disap-
pointment had worn him out. For a
week now he had lain on the bed of
skins looking out of the tiny window
on the wild mountains, with their
snow-clad forests, and watched the
trees bending before the blast.
Il am going down to the village this
afternoon said the girl. just after a
simple dinner of bread, tea and boiled
vension a neighbor had sent, but
will not be gone long, father" Out of
the door she went. The dogs were
soon hitched and the sick man
watched with weary eyes the girlish
figure disappear in the woods.
1t was dusk when she returned, and
she was not alone. On the sled was a
sick Indian woman, in whose arms was
closely held a tiny baby.
Il found this woman plodding along,
half frozen and SICK" she explained to
her father, as she seated her company
by the fire and poured out a cup of hot
tea for the woman. Il could not let
them suffer. We will help them till
the storm is over"
81 am afraid we will run short our
selves pretty soon, daughter" said the
father. YEARLY. There is not much
money left; l am sick and our provis-
ions are growing less every day."
''Well, father, l could not let hui
man being suffer out in this storm"
said Laura, gravely. and l am sure
no harm will come of aiding a woman
lost and almost dead in the snow. |
am glad can help them out"
80 am L. replied Mr.. Lorton. II
did not mean to be selfish. Only up
here away from all l know and not
able to do anything, | cannot help wor-
rying about matters"
| or
hot breakfast, the woman and baby
were fed and made comfortable. By
noon the wind died down, the sun came
out warmly and the storm was over
The Indian woman rose to go. She
looked about the bare room and at the
sick man in the corner-then she I'M
derstOod. The man had come North
for good failed and fallen sick.
In broken English she thanked the
girl and said she could get back to
her friends easily now in the sunlight.
The girl gave her another cup of hot
tea, an extra shawl and the baby and
the woman went out down the road.
Weeks passed. The snow melted
The trees came out in tender green.
But the sick man grew worse. Laura
was worked down to a shadow. The
money was gone, the last food was on
he table.
With dry, aching eyes, the girl went
about her task of cooking the last |
God. Then with a forced smile she
save it to her father. There came a !
mock on the door and it slowly |
opened. In came the Indian woman. |
md behind her tall man of her race |
gearing in his arms dead deer.
Here is meat for the white girl and !
Ter father" explained the woman. II
ave been sick long time, reason did
lot come before" On the table she
lied the deer. Then taking Laura's
and she led the girl out over the
rass, down the path till they reached
ne euSe Vi mountain rlll. The WO-
IAN scooped the water up in her
ands.
Look" she said, Gold; much gold
sand. Indian woman give it to
mite girl for return kindness"
1t was true. The sands of the creek
'ere full of glittering bits of gold.
With her heart wildly beating Laura
aced home. In few words she told
er father of the find. Joy brought
ack the color to her cheeks. and as
he indian woman cooked the meat
Ito stew the father and daughter
at silent in happiness. Their sor-
ows were over at last.