The citizen., 1921-08-11


Samson went to store and bought
new dress and sundry bits Of nnery
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 hug as he got
down from the wagon. lie was little
given TO like displays OF emotion.
Don't feel bad" he said.
'Tve given them up-I don't believe
we shall ever see them again." said
Sarah, as they were walking toward
the door. II think I know how the
dead feel who are 30 soon forgotten. ="
"Ye can't blame EN-" said samson
They've probably heard about the
lnjun scare and would expect to be
massacreed II 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
a stockade.
sand then there's the fever an
ague," Samson added.
Sometimes ! feel sorry ! told 'em
about 1t. because they'll think 1t worse
than II Is. But we've got to tell the
truth II It kills u.s."
"Yes; we've got to tell the truth"
Samson rejoined. "Therell be q rail.
road coming through here one Of these
days and then we can all get back
and forth easy. II II comes It's going
to make us rich. Abe says he expects
II 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.
How 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 :
IT'S silly but l can't help It,"
''I've 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 finery in her lap.
"Well, / want to know" she ex-
claimed. as she held II up to the can
delight. THAT must have cost pret-
ty penny"
81 don't care what 1t cost-lt amt
half good enough-not half" said
Samson.
As he sat down to his supper he
said
81 saw that SLAYER, Blggs, get of
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 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.
wish you'd go down there tomorrow
and see what's up. Jack is away, you
know"
81 WILL" said Sarah.
II was nearly two o'clock when
Samson. having fad and watered his
horses, got into bed. Yet he was up
before daylight, next morning, and
singing a hymn OF praise as he kindled
the fire and filed the tea kettle and
lighted his candle lantern and went
out to do his chores while Sarah,
partly reconciled TO her new dlsap-
pointment. dressed and began the
work of another day. SO they and
Abe and Harry and others like them,
each under the urge OF his own ambi-
tion, spent their great strength In the
building and defense OF the republic
and grew prematurely old. Their
work began and ended In darkness
and often their days were doubled by
the burdens of the night. So in the
reckoning Of their time each year was
more than one,
IT. ~ NnutsunaAN