Gilpin observer., 1920-02-05
'THE PEACE TREATY.
BY LIZZIE M. PEABODY.
$40. by Mcclure Newspaper syndica
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((c). 1S3V. Dy McClure Newspaper oynuicatc.J
There had been no love lost between
tbs Braddigans and Cotters since q
day long ago, when bold Braddigan
lad mud persuaded fair lady Of the
Cotter line to 60 away with him to
far country. Maybe that in itself
persuaded the two best horses in the
COtter stables to go along with them,
and they had never returned.
Two families of the warning lines
stu remained, and insult from either
family to the other was promptly
avenged. The Cotters, who lived in
the valley near the foot of Crooked
Road mountain, were tall, well-built,
dark and handsome. The family in
cluded father, daughter and two strap
ping sons, and when in the valley 1t
was whispered that AmericS might en-
ter the war there was much wild talk
and excitement at first, and then the
family settled quietly down to await
the outcome Of events.
Already they had decided to be
among the first to offer themselves for
service, and when the word came that
America could no longer, with honor
to herself. keep out of the war, the
boys, with all the optimism of youth.
looked only on the bright side.
Soon came the day when they trod
the road which led to enlistment, to
training camp. to the crowded ship
which sailed on its twisting way across
the sea under whose smiling face lay
so much danger, and finally to France,
while among the shadows of the stern
old mountains, which In those days
were more used to smiles than frowns,
their father and sister waited for news
of them, now hopefully, and then with
heavy hearts.
The Braddigans lived on the noun
tainside, and young Jack was square,
jawed his hair was of reddish tinge.
and his eyes were gray and clear.
From his home he saw the Cotters
as they passed so blithely along. and
suddenly and for the first time in his
life he knew what 1t was to be en-
viOus.
They thought of him as a Stacker,
he supposed. and sighed impatiently.
AS the weeks slipped by. his friends
all left the mountains. and 1t seemed
that he alone was left to do the usual
routine work. and to solve his prob
lem. How was he to follow the others
while his mother and delicate sister
remained alone and nearly helpless?
Like lightning from a clear sky the
news came to them that he had been
called to the cOlOrs, and with a shock
of surprise both women noted the
varying expressions which fitted over
his face as he learned that he had
been drafted; and promptly decided
that whatever came of 1t he should not
be obliged to ask for exemption on
their account. But Jacks luck had
turned, for the next day his mother
received an answer to letter which
she had written to her brother long
time ago, and he wrote that he would
be glad to come to stay with them and
Kitty was given position as teacher
in the small school near them. So in
due time Jack Braddigan followed the
Cotters overseas. and it happened that
he quickly got into the thick of the
fight. The people of the mountain had
chuckled as they said: "If Bradd!gan
and the Cotters catch sight of each
other there'll be a fight on their own
account" but the truth is that the
boys found war to be so wholly be-
yond anything they could ever have
imagined, in its horror and magnitude.
that by comparison their strife. wrang-
ling and bitter discOrd of the past
seemed to appear as II would to an
Onlooker-a needless and discomfort
ing affair.
Their views Of life had brOadened,
and when Jack, by means of bravery.
endurance, and presence Of mind had
played wonderful part In rescuing
the C0tters from the enemy he was
not surprised to note the grateful spir-
II In which they accepted his service,
and 1t was agreed upon that all griev-
ances Of the past should be forgotten.
1t was some months after armistice
had been declared that as dusk was
coming in the valley. the Braddigans
and the Cotters gathered at the cross
roads. and from their different stations
awaited the coming of the boys. who as
they came sang softly Of ''the long,
long trail"
Nellie Cotter rushed to them, so did
Kitty Braddigan. and both girls kissed
and were kissed impartially.
Then. as after while the girls start
ed back In surprise, Tim Cotter cried:
"Come, Dad, and meet the Braddigans.
We've declared an armistice."
"What's an army stitch?" demanded
Mr.. Cotter peevlshly.
Tim laughed lightly. "'Tis the stitch
folks patch up quarrels with, I'm think
Ing" he answered. and then said seri-
ously: dad, Jack saved our lives Mt