Year: 1870

hitNiHy any 1istoH !" s"' ''"'t-
Sometimes | used to think we joied
Aunt Betty and Our Baby rather un-
nercifully. but word from the Judge
would slraighten US out Mt once.


.Ifone was sick. we all took turn
about in watching and nursing, but
the Judge was the one who knew just
what 10 do. and was always near to do
it. Tender and patient as 4 woman.
We all honored INN and held him a
little higher in our estimation than we
did any one else at the camp


i forgot to tell you that months be-
fore, and when Dandy and Aunt Betty
we're not of our number, we had i'll
their place. Will Browning, who was
equal to two men any day. Good to
work. and good to play. Smart as
need be, and true to the core. |
think most any Of us would have been
glad to have gone with VII. when hc
went over the mountains. but he said
No; stay where you are boys; you are
doing we'll, and if find an, thing bet
ter will let you know at once. Then
come. all hands of You, and it will be
jolly time when we get together
again


You know it isn't the prctticst tray
cling in the world to get around here
now, and it was heap worse two
years ago


We hadn't heard word from Will,
though he had been gone long time
Several letters had come for him. but
of course we couldn't forward them,
having no idea of his whereabouts,
and we had come to the conclusion
that he would walk in upon us some
time, dead broke, and cured Of his
rowing disposition. We had finished
work one day and supped OFF of our
three Bs, as We called our beans ha-
con and bread the table stood just
ners are not very fastidious in their
notions. We were sitting on a long
bench which went acros, one end Of
our cabin, talking over the days work
and speculating on what the boys were
doing over to the left of Us. when all
at once 4 woman stood in our cabin
door


Now a woman in those DAYS was !.
curiosity amsng bucks here among the
hills, and there were mcn in our camp,
even, who hadn't set eyes on one fox
better than two wears. She stuo
still, just looking at US. don't know
what the rest thought, but Aunt Betty
Sald afterwards that it seemed like !.
warning to some Of us, and he was
wondering whose time had come. The
Judge sat on the end OF the bench. and
Il" aroso and took of his hat. Onc
after another foiIowcu ms rAa'ul,tr
slowly, each one getting up III turn,
looked comical. for we all had on wool
len shirts, with our sleeves rolled ~
and collars turned back. Oar pant,
were tied around our waists, and tuck
ed i'll no very careful manner into our
rubber boot legs. Add u Our cos
tune. eight faces un,havcn aul un-
>horn for weeks, and YOU can catch
some idea Of our general appearance


The pale light of our sputtcrln9
candle added to the welldness of The
scene, and when Jack the Wicked
murmured to your knees. boys. at
once. l guess We were all more than
half inclined 10 obey. The Judge re-
covered himself quickest and advanced
towards the door


Il wish 70 see my brother, VIII
/ !, /
about the most musical voice | ever
heard.


lie was here months ago answered
the Judge. but we do not know whcre
he is just now. How did you come,
and where are your friends:
Il came through the valley and shai-
ow of death, should think. for | am
nearly dead with fatigue and hunger,
and for friends | have the gloomIcst
old teamster you ever saw though |
thought it rare good luck when | found
him, and he engaged to take me up
here to Will. l paid him every cent
Of money had, for you see | was
sure Of finding Will up here, and |
haven't had a mouthtul for days but
bacon and bread. Is there any hotel
within q short distance! If not, per
haps there is some good woman who
would let me stay with her until
can get word to WILL


Il guess every man hugged to him
self the thought, tnat she would be
obliged to stop with us awhile even
the Judge didn't look very sorry,
though he professed to feel dreadfully
for her dilemma


He said, and | 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, un-
til he can be communicated with. we
shall be under great obligations to you.
We must look very odd to you, but We
all claim to be gentlemen, and | assure
you we can and will make you com
Portable


'She had a perplexed look on her
face when the Judge told her there was
no woman living near, but she was
mistress Of the situation in a moment
and said demurely., though with sly
sparkle, Oh. shall be comfortable
enough, but shan't l be troubling you
terribly?


Every one spoke at once, No troub-
le-not the least. And then Dandy
said: Judge, if you was to introduce
US to the lady, perhaps she would feel
more ut ease with u.s.


The Judge must have been awtully
smitten at the first sight or he would
not have been guilty of introducing US
by our camp titles. AS it was he said
gravely, Miss Browning, allow me to