Year: 1871

eight faces unshaven and unshorn for
weeks, and you catch some idea Of our
general appearance.


The pale light of our sputtering candle
added to the weirdness of the scene, and
when Jack the Wicked" murmured, 'to
your knees, boys, all at once" guess we
were all more than half inclined to obey.
The Judge recovered himself the quickest,
and advanced toward the door,


81 wish to see my brother, Will Brown
ing; l heard he was here" said the most
musical voice ever heard.


"He was here few months age" re-
piled the Judge, .but we do not know
where he is now. How did you come and
where are your friends ?"


81 came through the valley and shadow
OF death, l should think for am nearly
dead with hunger, and for friends, I have
the gloomiest old teamster you ever saw,
though thought it was rare good luck
when found him, and he engaged to take
me up here to Win. l paid him every
cent of money had. and haven't had
mouthful for days but hard bacon. Is
there any hotel within short distaneep If
not, perhaps there is some good woman
who would let me stay with her until l
can get word to WILL


l guess every man hugged to himself
the thought that she would be obliged to
stop with us, even for short time; and
the Judge didn't look very sorry, though
he professed to feel dreadfully for her
dilemma.


He said, aud | am sure his full, rich
voice must have seemed q tower of
strength to her; ''Will is dear friend of
ours, and if you will kindly allow us the
honor Of protecting his sister until he can
be communicated with, we should be
under great obligations to you. We must
look very odd to you, but we claim to be
gentlemen, and l assure you, we can and
will make you comfortable"


She had a perplexed look on her face
when the Judge told her there was no wo-
man living near; but she was mistress of
the situation in moment, and said very
demurely, though with rather sly spar
kle, ''Oh. | shall be quite comfortable,
but I'm afraid | shall be troubling you
terribly" '-'r.


Every one spoke at once, mo trouble,
not the least" And then Dandy said:
Judge, fyou were to introduce us to the
lady, perhaps she would feel more at ease
with u.s.


The Judge must have been awfully
smitten at first sight, or he would not be
guilty of introducing us by our camp titles
AS it was he said: "Miss Browning, allow
me to introduce you to Wills friend, Mr..
South Carolina" He advanced as he was
called, and in the most chiyalric manner
bowed over the lady's extended hand
This is Mr. Nutmeg, another friend of
your brother.'' ssF


He bowed stiffiy, and everywhere but
at her. Aunt Betty, did you know Win?
l believe you didn't; but he win be
friend all the same to you, Miss Brown
ing haf


You can bet your life on that every
time said Aunt Betty, and we were all
ready to split by that time, the Judge
looked so dignified doing the honors of
the occasion in such happy manner, as
he no doubt thought.


He continued; "This is Mr.. Dandy;
wish you could see the bowling and
scrapine. BY that time she had taken in
the drollery of the thing, and when Dam
dy bowed SO profoundly, swept him a
courtesy that liked to have flushed hin
on the spot.


'Senor and Will were sworn allies we
used to call them David and Jonathan"


She smiled and asked. (Which are
you? And for the first time and only





but stammered out, EITHER, ma'am.'
There was something like snicker from
our company. but the Judge had no eyes
or ears for any one but her; SO she kept
on, and with wave of his hand present
ed "Our Baby" The great six-footer
looked for all the world as though he
would put up lip and cry, until Miss
Browning said, "How do you do, dear?
Can he talk ?" and then. he blurtcd out,
my name is Otis Allen


Jack got the start of them, and step
ping in font of them, said in tragic tones,
"Jack the Wicked" known all over the
Pacific coast for my diabolical acts-and
let me assist our friend-this is the Judge.
who is a terror to all evil doers and the
protector of distressed innocents, when
ever they have the good fortune to fall in
to his hands.


"Yes, said the Judge, with the most i'm
perturable gravity, and now you know us
all, and must consider us your obedient
servants" 4eta ta


She laughed low, ripping laugh, and
said, .Yes, am sure know you all now,
and should like to shake hands all round,
it would give me a sort of a home feeling,
and you would feel better acquainted with
me, l guess a...


She began with the Judge, and he look
ed, while he held her hand, as though he
had been translated. asssate


She's got an awful lot of magnetism
about her, tell you; my arm and hand
thrill now when think OF that first hand
clasp. We hadn't chair in the cabin,
but we gave her our best three-legged
stool. She took off her jaunty hat and
sack, and each one sprang TO take them.
She didn't seem to notice us, but left them
lying in her lap. She told us that she
had baggage little way from the house
She had left it there so as to walk in upon
Will unannounced, and instead of finding
her old Win, she had stumbled upon such
lot of friends.


"Can you give me something real good
to eat ?' and she glanced at the table with
its dirty dishes, and the scanty remains ol
our supper. ..tso,,,s ,.sn -s 4s
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