The Dolores star., 1919-02-07


l would run and get there before
dark and tell them that 1 wanted to
live with them and every day l would
play with Sally Dunkelberg. Uncle
Peabody was not half as nice to play
with as she was.
heard Uncle Peabody drive away.
I watched him through the open win
dow. l could hear Aunt Deel wash
ing the dishes in the kitchen. got
out of bod very slyly and put on my
Sunday Clothes. / went to the open
window. The sun had just gone over
the top of the woods. l would have
to hurry to get to the Dunkelbergs'
before dark. l crept out on the top
of the shed and descended the lad
der that leaned against It. stood
moment listening. The dooryard was
covered with shadows and very still.
The dog must have gone with Uncle
Peabody. 1 ran through the garden
to the road and down it as fast as
my bare feet could carry me. In that
direction the nearest house was al
most mile away. l remember i
was out of breath. and the light was
growing dim before l got to it.
went on. 1t seemed to me that
had gone nearly far enough to reach
my destination when l heard Il buggy
coming behind me.
''Hellow a voice called.
turned and looked up at Dug Dra-
per, in a single buggy, dressed in his
Sunday suit
SIS 1t much further to where the
Dunkelbergs live?" l asked.
"The Dunkelbergs? Who be they?"
1t 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:
"Git In here, boy. I'll take ye
there"
l got into the buggy, and he struck
his horse with the whip and went gal
loping 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 rude
shake and bade me shut up.
1t was dark and felt very cold and
began to wish myself home in bed
"Ain't we most to the Dunkel-
bergs'?" l asked.
"No-not yet" he answered.
I 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 hear7"
Yes" I sobbed.
I lay shaking with fear and fight
ing my sorrow and keeping as still as
l could with it, until. wearied by the
strain, l 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 little vcranda that fronted
the door of law Office. There
slept peacefully until daylight, when
l felt hand on my face and awoke
suddenly. I remember that 1 felt
cold. kindly faced man was lean
ing over me.
Hello. boy!" said he. "Where did
you come from?'
| l was frightened and confused, but
his gentle voice reassured me.
"Uncle Peabody" l called, as l
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. l remember seeing
the Silent Woman pass while was
In his arms.
"Tell me what's your name," he
urged.
Barton Baynes," I said as soon as
I could speak.
"Where do you live?"
"In LickEysplit."
| "How did you get here?"
| Dug Draper brought me. Do you
know where Sally Dunkelberg lives?"
as she the daughter of Horace
Dunkelberg?"
Mr.. and Mrs. Horace Dunkelberg,"
I amended.
"Oh, yes, I know her. Sally is n
friend of mine. Well get some break-
fast and then We'll 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 I was shiv-
ering.
you sit there and I'll have u fire
going in a minute and get you warm
ed up"
He wrapped me in his coat and went
into the back room and built fire
In small stove and brought me in
and set me down beside it. He made
some porridge in kettle while l sat
holding my little hands over the stove
to warm them, and q sense of COM
| fort grew in me