Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-23
UNCLE SLIzZERS"
CONTINUED from page Ons.)

storm that had been sweeping over the
hills had slaeksned, as if in Difference
10 the occasion. A stray star peeped
between masses of gray clouds that
swirled overhead with ray of promise
of better things He was grateful for
this consideration on the part of the
elements and he entered his shack with
. heartfull Of JOY.
" Molly" he cried, "wc're going out
tonight
"What Is itp' came family from a
pile Of covers behind the big heating
stove.
"We re going out, Molly, to have a
good time. " explained Big Silver, stoop'
ing over the form lying among the
blankets. "Why, what's the matterP"
AZ we got q headache" Molly re
Piled. sitting up "That's ALL l."
Be careful, though" 4" cautioned Big
Silver, greatly relieved
Molly went to the Christmas ceiebra-
tion and forgot all about her headache.
She was happy and bubbled over with
10y when she found the things she want
ed She danced around and around the
tree, her little doll hugged closely 90
her breast. And the men danced, danced
to the screaming fife, the flat rub-a
dub-dub of the drum, and the wheeling
of the harmonica.
Big Silver scarcely touched the floor,
he felt so keenly the happiness of Mol.
ly. He was quickly brought back to
earth again when she came to him white
and trembling with the pains that shot
cruelty through her head. Her face was
hot, then cold. He bundled her up and
took her home
In his clumsy way. he bathed her
head with hot water but 1t did no good.
What could he do for herf There was
no doctor in Pipestem; there was no
physician nearer than over the noun
fajn. seventy'iive miles away. He was
in despair.
Big Silver went TO the door and. look
ed out in to the turmoil of the night.
Strong gusts OF wind, mingled with a,
cutting, driving snow, beat in upon him
The storm was on again in fury. The
wind ragged around the cornerssof the
shack, like eager spirits fighting to
clutch al those within,
lie returned TO where Molly lay moan
iag and delerious. Her hot head, burn
iag eyes, and shivering form wrung his
heart With pity He paced the floor,
trying to think out plan. In a few
turns he decided. lie worked quickly
and effectively, Iii short time he
made a large pouch out Of u blanket,
with straps 10 buckle like a pack over
His shoulders. Then he rolled Molly in,
Il ilanket, tucked her iii the pouch, and
raised il to his back. The burden was
zt9 heavy. He opened the door, saw
that his automatic revolver hung safe
lv al ms belt, and plunged out into the
furious night.
Hour after hour he, struggled up the
side of the mountain. Blindiug gusts
OF snow stung his face and made the
path treaeherons. Up the steep slope
he climbed, feeling his way through the
darkness with a keeh Instinct. Ii he
slipped or lost his footing, both he and
his precious burden would be lost in
snaWy abyss OF crushed on jagged crags.
When daylight came he was scarcely
at the top Of tile divide. All day he
struggled down the slope, compelled to
climb down backwards, carefully slow
~. Night was closing over u little cab
III AT the foot of the trail when Big Sli-
ver unceremonously burst open the door
and staggered inside and asked for q
horse.
A horseq" gasped the occupant, sus-
pieiously viewing the intruder by the
light of candle.
Yes, horse, beloved Big Silver.
Can I do il, whined the man.
'At'ive me q horse, Numbered Big
Silver. 'flt's not for myself alone.
We got a."
= You can't have
Show ne the stable, he savagey
commanded, yicioHsly iabbing his auto
matte into the man S ribs "And be
quick about It. "
I. You'll be strung up Cor this,
snarled the man.
Shut up, growled Big Silver
4 You'n get your money for the horse.
Quickly the horse was saddled, Big
Silver mounted its back and was gone
into the wild night, night even wilder
bieaker and seperer than the previous
one. Horse and man, with the precious
burden moaning in the blanket, strug
gled on. Hours passed and he felt him
self reeling in the saddle, felt his senses
Slipping away. Choatic fancies coniured
out of the breast of the night, leaped
ont Of obseurity and grappled with his
consciousness. Voices sang to him, I'm
til he finally gripped himself with a
mighty resolution and dispelled the I'LL
lusions, knowing them to be tricks Of
the imagination.
AZ last he reached the level, leaving
the storm svirlng, raging, and venting
its fury among the rocks and crags
above. Early on the second morning,
Just as daylight was breaking over the
mountains IN dull, dismal gray, he
rode into the city and to the hospital,
where, utterly exhausted and haggard,
III gave his burden into the hands of
doctors and nurses. For thirty-six hours
he had fought struggled and won
Molly tossed ON her cot in the hospit,
al for weeks, her body burning with fe.
Yer AS soon as Big Silver recuperated
his strength he watched continually at
her bedside, his heart beating with hope
o. sinking into despair as the fever rose
or fell.
Just as the crisis came in Molly :
sickness, and all the skin available il
nurses WAS needed, the night nurse was
changed. Big Silver was angry and
protested but his protests were useless,
He was assured that the new nurse was
AM ESSENTIAL