The Snowflake herald., 1921-11-18
CHAPTER TX.


IN Which BIN Kelso Makes History,
While Abe and Harry and Other
Good Citizens Of New Salem Are
Making an Effort to That End in the
Indian War.
In the midst OF springtime there
came cheering news from the old home
In VermOnt-a letter to Sarah from
her brother, which contained the well
come promise that he was coming to
visit them and expected to be In
Beardstown about the fourth Of May.
Samson drove across country to meet
the steamer. He was at the landing
when the Star OF the North arrived
He saw every passenger that came
ashore. and Eliphalet Biggs, leading
his big bay mare, was one Of them, but
the expected visitor did not arrive
There would be no other steamer
bringing passengers from the East for
q number Of days.
Samson went to store and bought
a new dress and sundry bits OF finery
for Sarah. He returned to New Salem
with heavy heart. Sarah stood In the
open door as he drove up.
Didn't come" he said mournfully.
Without word. Sarah followed him
to the barn, with the tin lantern in her
hand. He gave her a hug as he got
down from the wagon. He was little
given to like displays of emotion.
Don't feel bad" he said.
1--WE given them up-I don't believe
we shall ever see them again." said
Sarah, as they were walking toward
the door. 81 think I know how the
dead feel who are so soon forgotten"
"Ye can't blame 'em," said Samson.
They've probably heard about the
Injun scare and would expect to be
masSacreed IL they came"
Indeed the scare, now abating, had
spread through the border settlements
and kept the people awake O. nights.
Samson and other men, left in New
Salem, had met to consider plans for
q Stockade.
"And then there's the fever an
ague," Samson added.
Sometimes l feel sorry told 'em
about 1t, because they'll think 1t worse
than it is. But we've got to tell the
truth If 1t kills u.s."
"Yes; we've got to tell the TRUTH"
Samson rejoined. "There1l be a rail-
road coming through here one Of these
days and then we can all get back
and forth easy. If it comes it's going
to make US rich. Abe says he expects
1t within three or four years."
Sarah had hot supper ready for
him. AS he stood warming himself
by the fire she put her arms around
him and gave him a little hug.
"YOu poor tired man" she said.
SHOW patient and how good you are =!
There was a kind of apology for
this moment of weakness in her look
and manner. Her face seemed to say:
Its silly but can't help It,"
'Tve been happy all the time, for
knew you was waiting for me-" Sam
son remarked. 81 feel rich every time
! think of you and the children. Say,
look here"
He united the bundle and put the
dress and f1nery In her lap.
"Well, l want to know" she ex-
claimed, as she held 1t up to the can
delight. THAT must have cost a pref
ty penny"
II don't care what it cost-it amt
half good enough-not half" said
Samson.
AS he sat down to his supper he
said:
II saw that SLAYER, Biggs, get off
the boat with his big bay mare. There
was darky following him with an
other horse"
"GOod land" said Sarah. 81 hope
he isn't coming here. Mrs. Onstot told
me today that BIN Kelso has been get
ting letters from him."
"She's such an odd little critter and
she's got a mind of her Own-any-
body could see that" Samson reflect
ed. "She ought to be looked after
purity careful. Her parents are so
taken up with shooting and fishing
and books they kind o. forget the girl
wtsr vo'l'd go down there tomorrow