The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-03-06

"Is II much further to where the
Dunkelbergs flveT l asked.
'The Dunkelbergsf Who be theyf"
II seemed to me very strange that
he didn't know the Dunkelbergs.
"Where Sally Dunkelberg lives"
That was a clincher. He laughed
and swore and said:
"Glt In here. boy. I'll take ye
there"
got into the buggy. and he struck
his horse with the whip and went gnl-
iopIng away In the dusk.
BY and by we passed ROvin' Kate.
! could just discern her ragged form
by the roadside and called to her. He
struck his horse and gave me q rude
shnke and bade me shut up.
II was dark and felt very cold and
bcgnn to wish myself home In bed
"Ain't we most to the Dunkel-
bergs1 :" I asked. p"
"No-not yet" he answered.
burst into tears and he shook me
roughly and showed me down on the
buggy floor and said:
"You lay. there and keep still; do
you hearrsr.sfs. u ~ ..
"Yes." sobbed. fT- ~
I lny shaking with fear and fight
Ing my sorrow and keeping as still as
l could with II, until. wearied by the
strain; fell asleep.
What befell me that night while
dreamed of playing with the sweet-
faced girl / have wondered often.
Some time in the night Dug Draper
had reached the village Of Canton and
got rid'of me. He had probably put
me out at the water trough. Kind
hands had picked me up and carried
me to n little vcrnnda that fronted
the door Of law Office. There
slept peacefully until daylight. when
l felt hand on my face and nwoke
suddenly. remember that I felt
cold. A kindly faced man was lean
Ing over me.
'Hello, boy!" said he. "where did
you come from7'
was frightened and confused, but
his gentle voice reassured me.
Uncle Peabodyw I called, a.
arose and looked about me and be-
gan to cry.
The man lifted me In his arms and
held me close to his breast and tried
to comfort me. I remember seeing
the Silent Woman pass while was
In his arms.
"rell me what's your name," he
urged.
Barton Baynes." I said as soon a.
I could speak.
"Where do you llvef"
"In LickItysplit."
slow did you get heref"
"Dug Draper brought me. Do you
know where Sally Dunkelberg Iives2"
us she the daughter Of Horace
Dunkelberg2"
"Mr. and Mrs. Horace Dunkelberg,"
I amended.
"Oh, yes, I know her. Sally is a
friend of mine. Wen get some break
fast and then wen go and find her."
He carried me through the open
door OF his Office and set me down
at his desk. The cold air of the
night had chilled me and l was shIv-
erlng.
"You sit there and I'll have a fire
going In a minute and get ,'ou warm
cd up"
He wrapped me In his coat and went
into the back room and built fire |
In small stove and brought me In |
ana set me down beside II. He made |
some porridge In kettle while sat |
holding my little hands over the stove
TO warm them. and a sense OF COM
fort grew In me.
lie dipped some porridge into bowls |
and put them on small table. My
eyes had watched him with growing |
interest and ! got to the table abou,
ms soon as the porridge and mounted |
chair and seized spoon.
zone moment, Bart" said my
host. "By lingo! We've forgotten to
wash and you're face looks like the
dry bed of a river. Come here min
ute"
He led me out OF the back door,
where there were wash stand and
pail and tin basin and dish Of soft
soap. He dipped the pail In q ruin
barrel and filled the basin, and /
washed myself and waited not upon
my host. but made for the table and
began TO eat. being very hungry. af-
Ter hastily drying my face on . towel.
In q minute he came aud eat down
% his own porridgs and bread and
butter.