Bixby Bulletin (Bixby, Okla.), Vol. 9, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, April 4, 1913 Page: 2 of 8
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Molly McDonald
A. TAIT or THE EKONIIIK
By
Jlimorof Keith of the
Border r lady
of mo
corywowT m* by a.c.«*cuw» & co.
SYNOPSIS.
Mujor McDonald. commanding an army
pout near Fort Dodgu, necks a man to
intercept his daughter, Molly, who Is
headed for the po»t. An Indian outbreak
Is threatened. “Brick” Hamlin, a ser-
geant who has Just arrived with mes-
sages 'o Mo Donald, volunteers for the
mission Molly urrlves at Fort Klpley
two days ahead of schedule. She decides
to push on to Fort Dodge by stage In
company with “Sutler Hill'' Moylan Oon-
sales, a gambler. Is also a passenger.
Hamlin meets the stage with stories of
depredations committed by the Indians.
The driver deserts the stage when Indi-
ans appear. The Indians are repulsed
In attacks on the stage. Moylan anil
Uonxales are killed. Hamlin and Molly
plan to escape In the darkness by way
of a gully. Molly Is wounded and Ham-
lin carries her. They cross a river and
go Into hiding The Indians discover their
escape and start pursuit, but go In the
wrong direction.
CHAPTER XI.
A Remembrance of the Pa«t.
Moylan must have had Miss McDon-
ald In mind when he had stocked up
with food at Fort Dodge, and had
therefore chosen all the delicacies to
be found at th^L frontier post. These
were not extensive, consisting largely,
of'canned goods, which, nevertheless,
made a brave show, and were clearly
enough not the ordinary fare of the
border Hamlin had to smile at the
nrrav. but Molly handled each article
almost with reverence, tears dimming
her eyes in memory.
“He—he bought these for me," she
said softly, and looking across re-
proachfully at the sergeant. “It was
the best he could do."
“1 was not laughing at poor Moylan;
only, I fear, he had a wrong concep-
tion of a girl's needs on the trail. But
1 reckon our combined appetites are
equal to it."
“1 do not feel as though 1 could
swallow a mouthful.”
“Under orders you will try. We
have a hard day before us. young lady,
and some tramping to do afoot. 1
wish 1 knew where that horse I turn-
ed loose last night has drifted to; In-
to the bluffs, probably, where the
grass is green. He would be of some
help just now. Try this. Miss McDon-
ald, for lack of something better. 1
yearn for ham and coffee, but hardly
dare build a fire yet. The smoke
would be seen for miles away."
“If we were across the river we
could use the stage fire”
“Yes, but there is a wide river flow-
ing between Don't be afraid of that
trip,” noting the expression of her
face “It w ill be easy enough to cross
back by daylight, now that 1 know
where the danger spots are."
“I was not so terribly afraid last
night; l hardly had time to realize
what was being done, did you?"
Well, yes; It was risky business.
Awfully treacherous bottom and 1 was
_ * ^ X 1 ■ - * -, , 1 — ,A.
l . IU -v. i,vVWA * V CV
The sergeant ate heartily, speaking
occasionally so as to divert her mind,
but for the most part, busily thinking
and endeavoring to decide his next
move. He sat facing the river, con-
tinually liftinc his head to scan the
opposite shore There was probably
a scouting detail somewhere near at
hand, either approaching from the
east, alarmed by the report of the
fleeing stage crew, or else a detach-
ment tracking Roman Nose’s war-
riors -across those plains extending
into the north The latter contin-
gency was the more probable, Judg-
ing from the Indians' flight, and his
own knowledge of the small reserve
force left at Dodge. Besides, ride as
they might those two fleeing cowards
of yesterday could hardly have yet
reached that shelter of safety and
might not confess the truth of their
desertion even when they did arrive.
A pursuing force was the only real
hope for escaping the necessity of a
hard tramp back over the trail. Well,
the girl looked fit, and he glanced to-
ward her appreciatively.
In spite of the sad experiences of
the past night she was a pleasant
spectacle, her eyes bright with ex-
citement, her cheeks flushed under
th< morning sun which flecked her
dark, disordered hair with odd color.
Hers was a winsome face, with s
ing lips, and frank good nature In
contour. He was surprised to note
how fresh and well she looked.
-* Are you tired?"
• Not very It seems more as though
I had dreamed all this than actually
passed through the experience. Per-
haps when l do realize, the reaction
will set in. Hut now I am strong, and
—and not at all frightened "
“Nor hungry?”
“It Is hard to eat. but I am often
that way.” Her hand strayed to the
smil-
i its
emptied haversack, and she turned It
carelessly over, where It lay baslde
her on the sand. “Why, this Is an
old Confederate sack. Isn't It? I hadn't
noticed before; see, ‘C. 8. A.’ Is on
the flap.”
“So It Is; perhaps Moylan served In
the south.”
"I think not. 1 am sure this was
never his, for he bought It at Dodge.
1 remember he told me he would- have
to find something to carry our lunch
In." She pushed the flap farther back,
then held It up to the sunlight. “There
are some other letters, but they are
hardly decipherable. I cannot read
the first line at all, but the second Is
somewhat plainer—‘Fourth Texas In-
fantry.’ "
Hamlin reached out his hand swift-
ly, and grasped the haversack, forget-
ting everything else In suddenly
aroused Interest. The girl, surprised,
stared up Into his face, as he closely
studied the faded inscription, his face
expressing unconcealed amazement.
"Good God!” he ejaculCted breath-
lessly. “It was Gene's. What can this
mean?”
"You—you knew the soldier?”
“Knew him? Yes,” speaking almost
unconsciously, his Incredulous eyeB
still on the inscription, as though fear-
ful It might vanish. “That man was
either my best friend, or my worst
enemy; under heaven, I know not
which. Why, It Is like a miracle, the
finding of this bag out here In the des-
ert. It 1b the clue I have been search-
ing after for nearly five years." He
seemed to pull himBelf together with
ah effort, realising her presence. "Ex-
cuse me. Miss McDonald, but thiB
thing knocked me silly. 1 hardly knew
what I was saying.”
"It means much to you? To your
lifer
“Everything, if I can only trace it
back, and thus discover the present
whereabouts of the original owner.”
"Was that your regiment, then—the
Fourth Texas Infantry?”
He bowed his head, now looking
frankly at her.
“Would you mind telling md your
rank?”
"I became Captain of 'B' Company
after the fight at Chancellorsville; w&
served in Virginia under Massa
Robert, and lost every commissioned
officer in that affair." He hesitated
to go bn, but she prompted him by a
question: V
“And then what? What was it
that happened? Don't be afraid to
tell me"
“Nothing until the day we fought at
Fisher's Hill," he said slowly. "Then
I was dismissed from the service—
for cowardice.”
"Cowardice!” repeating the word In
quick proU-oi. H uj, uu*h‘ could that
be? Surely your courage had been
sufficiently tested before?"
“Cowardice, and disobedience of or-
ders," he repeated dully, “after I had
been under fire almost night and day
for three years; after I had risen frQm
the ranks and commanded the regi-
ment."
"And you had no defence?”
“No; at least, none I could use;
this man might have saved me, but
he did not. and I never knew why."
“Who was he?”
"My senior captain, detailed on
Early’s staff; he brought me the or-
ders verbally I was afterwards ac-
cused of disobeying. I was temporari-
ly In command of the regiment that
day with rank as major. There was
a mistake somewhere, and we were
horribly cut up. and a number taken
prisoners. It was my word against
his. and—and -he lied."
She took the haversack from him.
studying the scarcely legible Inscrip-
tion.
“ E L. F.' Are those the letters?"
'Yes; they stand for Eugene Le
Fevre; he was of French descent, his
home in New Orleans.”
“You knew hits well?”
“1 thought so; wx were at school to-
gether and afterwards in the army.”
She looked across at him again,
touched by the tender echo of his
voice; then leaned forward and placed
one hand upon his.
You have not spoken about this for
a long while, have you?"
"No,” his eyes lighting up pleasant-
ly, “hardly thought of it, except some-
times alone at night. The memory
made me savage, and all my efforts to
ascertain the truth have proven use-
less "
"That Is why you enlisted?”
largely; there Is no better place
to hide one's past than in the ranks
out here on the plains. I—I could not
remain at home with that disgrace
hanging over me.”
“You must tell me all about It.”
Her head lifted suddenly as Bhe
gased out across the river, shading
her eyes. "Why, what are those?”
she exclaimed eagerly, “ther^, moving
on the bluffs opposite?"
His glance swept to the northward,
and he was as Instantly the soldier
again. Far away on the upper plateau,
clearly outlined against th) blue of
the distant sky, appeared a number of
dark figures. For a moment he be-
lieved them buffaloes, but In another
instant decided instead they were
horsemen riding two by two.
“Get down lower, Miss McDonald,”
he commanded. "Now we can see,
and not be seen. They must be
cavalrymen, the way they ride, but we
can take no chances.”
They watched the black specks pass
east to where the bluff circled In to-
ward the river. It was from there
(hose distant riders first observed the
dim spiral of smoke stifl curling up
from the burning stage, for they
halted, bunching together, and then
disappeared slowly down a gash In
the side of the hill. Emerging on the
lower flat they turned in the direction
of the fire, spurring their horses Into
a swift trot There was no longer
any doubt of their being troopers, and
Hamlin stood upright on the sand
hummock waving his hat. They were
gathered about thfc fife, a few dls>
mounted beside the dead bodies, be-
fore his signal was observed. Then a
field glass flashed in the sunlight, and
three or four of the party rode down
to the bank of the river. One of
these, the glasses still held In hlB
hand, his horses, hoofs in the water,
shouted across 'the stream.
"Who are you over there?"
“White people,” answered Hamlin,
using his hands for a trumpet. "We
escaped from the stage last night. I
am a sergeant. Seventh Cavalry, and
the lady with me is the daughter of
Major McDonald at Fort Devere.”
"How did you get across?”
"Waded in the dark; there* is good
bottom. Send a man over with a
couple of horses."
The officer turr°d and spoke to the
others grouped beside him; then rais-
ed his voice again.
"Are you sure there is no quick-
sand?”
"None to hurt; come straight over
the end o( that sand spit, and then
swerve about a dozen feet to the right
to keep out of a hole. The water won’t
go to a horse's belly. Try it, Wasson,
you ought to know me.”
"You’re ‘Brick’ Hamlin, ain’t you?”
"A good guess, Sam; come on."
Two troopers left their saddles, and
the third man, the one answering the
last hail, gathered the reiils in one
hand, and spurred his horse confident-
ly Into the brown water. Following
the Sergeant's shouted directions, the
three animals plunged forwar-’ and
came dripping up the low sand bank.
The rider, a sallow-faced man clad in
rough oorduroy, patched and color-
less, leaned over and held out his
hand.
"Dern yer o' skin,” he said solemn-
ly, but with a twinkle in hie eyes,
“ye’re sure got the luck of it. Ain’t
see ye afore fer two years.”
“That’s right, Sam; down on the
Cowskln, wasn't It? Who’s over
ther?"
"Leftenant Gaskins, an’ some o’ the
Fourth Cavalry, scoutin' out o’ Dodge;
ben plum <o tlit.i mournings, an' gotu
home ag’ln. Whut the hell (beggin’
yer pardln, mam) has happened
yere?"
Til explain when we get across,”
and Hamlin swung the haversack to
his shoulder, and turned to the girl.
“This Is Sam Wasson, Miss McDon-
ald, a scout I have been out with be-
fore; let me help you luto the Baddle.
acquaintance later; now I must
straighten^out this affair." He bowed
again, and turned stiffly toward Ham-
lin, who had dismounted, his manner
Instantly changing. He was a short,
heavily built man, cleanly shaven,
with dark, arrogant eyes, and promi-
nent chin.
"You are a sergeant of the Seventh,
you said," he began brusquely. “What
were you doing here?”
“My troop is stationed at Fort
Union,” was the quiet response. I
carried despatches to Devere, and
while there was requested by Major
McDonald to intercept his daughter
and turn her back.”
“Were you subject to Major McDon-
ald’s orders?”
“It was not an order, but a re-
quest."
“Oh, indeed; a mere pleasure ex-
cursion.”
"It has hardly turned out that way,
sir, and conditions seemed to Justify
my action."
"That is for others to determine.
When was the attack made?”
“Just before sundown last evening.
The driver and guard escaped on the
lead horses, and the wheelers ran
away, wrecking the coach.”
“There were four passengers?'’
“Yes; we fought them off until
after dark, although the Mexican was
killed by the first fire. I don’t know
when the other man got his.”
“Who were they?”
“Gonzales ran a high ball game at
Santa Fe; the other, Moylan, was
post-sutler at Fort Mercy.”
"How many Indians? Who were
they?”
“About thirty; we must have killed
five or six. It was hardly more than
daylight when they left, and I could
not tell Just how many bodies they
strapped on the ponies. They were a
mixed bunch of young bucks, princi-
pally Arapahoes, led by Roman Nose.”
“Went west, hey?”
"Yes, sir.”
The lieutenant turned his gaze up
the river, and then looked at Wasson,
who remained seated in the Baddle
“Must be the same lot Maxwell told
us about up on Pawnee Fork, Sam,”
he said at last. “He will be likely to
cut their trail some time today. We
knew a bunch had headed Bouth, but
didn’t suppose they had got as far as
this already. Better leave Maxwell to
run them In, I suppose? Our orders
are to return to Dodge.”
"They haven't three hours the
start,” ventured Hatnlln In surprise,
“and cannot travel fast with so many
of their ponies doubly loaded.”
“That is for me to decide,” staring
insolently, “and I understand my duty
without any advice. Is there any dam-
age done west of here?”
"The station at the crossing is burn-
ed; two dead men there; I don’t know
what became of the third.”
'Then It is Just as I thought; those
^ FOLEY’S %
COMPOUND***!/
STOPS COUGHS - CURES COLDS
Cmt«iin No OpulM la Safa Far dulfria
BOSS
BALL B££S&eflHli
Stllrtuu €•., Kpt. 4*0. SIS PoAm *«., Ch'Biaa
A man's children, like their mother,
are apt to ask a lot of embarrassing
questions.
CHAPTER XII.
The Parting.
They recrossed the stream care-
fully, the horses restless and hard to
control in the current, the men riding
on either side, grasping the bit of the
girl's mount. Others had Joined the
little squad of troopers on the bank,
and welcomed her with a cheer. The
lieutenant dismounted At sight of
the girl's face he whipped off his hat.
and came forward.'
“Miss McDonald,” hj said, pleasant-
ly greeting her, “I am Lieutenant
Gaskins, and I have met your father
—of the Sixth Infantry, is he not? So
glad to be of service, you know. You
were in the stage, I understand; a
most remarkable escape.”
”1 owe It all to Sergeant Hamlin."
she replied, turning to glance toward
the latter. “He boce me away un-
conscious in his arms. Indeed. I
scarcely realized what happened. Do
you know anything regarding my
father?"
"Oh, yes. I can put your mind at
ease so far as he Is concerned. 1
presume you were endeavoring to
reach his post when this unfortunate
affair occurred.”
"Yes "
t’Sherldan has ordered Devere aban-
doned for the present, and the major’s
troops are to return to Dodge. No
doubt we shall be In the field within
a week or two. But we can cultivate
4
FILES CURED IN S TO 14 DAW
Your druggist will relund money If HAZU OINT-
MENT fall* to cure an/ case of llonlng, nil no.
Bleeding or Protruding Piles In • to 14 days Me.
His Contribution.
“Did old Closeflst give you anything
for the chaVity benefit fund?"
“Oh, yes; he gave me his candid
opinion of it.”
Like an Old Pool.
Silllcus—What is the age of discre-
tion?
Cynicus—There isn’t any. I know
a man over seventy wlio married his
fourth wife the other day.
Best Thing.
"James got dizzy in the water and
it frightened him.”
“It is the best thing which could
have happened.”
“How do you make that out?”
“If he was dizzy, wasn’t his head
swimming?”
Modest.
A clerical-looking gentleman, In the
hope of obtaining a contribution, en-
tered the office of a newspaper and,
finding the editor In, began:
“I am soliciting aid for a gentleman
of refinement and intelligence who is
in need of a little ready money, but is
too proud to make known his suffer-
ings."
“Why!”'exclaimed the editor, “I’m
the only man in town answering that
description. What’s the gentleman’s
name?”
“I’m sorry to say I am not at lib-
erty to disclose it.”
“It must be me, parson. Heaven
prosper you in your good work,” said
the editor, wiping away a tear.
MWhat the Hell (Begging Your Par-
don, Ma’am) Has Happened Here?"
fellows will turn north before they get
that far, and will run straight into
Maxwell. What do you say, Sam?”
The scout lolled carelessly in the
saddle, his eyes on the river, his lean,
brown face expressionless.
“I reckon ad how it don’t make no
great difference what 1 say,” he an-
swered sckberly. “Yer ain’t taken no
advice frum me yit, fur as I remem-
ber. But if yer really want ter know,
this time, my notion is them bucks
will most likely hide In the bluffs
till night, an’ then sneak past Max-
well after it gits good an’ dark. If
this yere wus my outfit now. I’d 'Just
naturally light on to the trail fast,
orders er no orders. I reckon it’s In-
juns we cum out after, an’ I don’t sup-
pose the war department would find
any fault If we found a few.”
The blood surged into the lieuten-
ant’s face, but opposition only served
to Increase his obstinacy.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
* Have No Country.
While at supper one evening a mem-
ber of the family asked ‘.’Say. what
are the Blanks?" The discussion on
nationality and religion following, was
wound up by the youngest son inquir-
] ing earnestly: “Papa, what country
do the bachelors come from?"
The Summer Silo.
The use of the silo throughout the
year is finding favor with many stock
keepers. It is quite difficult to obtain
a profit on pasture which is on land
worth $100.00 or more per acre. Dur-
ing drouth seasons, the ’ pasture is
often so poor that it affords little or no
feed, but the interest on the invest-
ment, and the taxes must be found.
There is no question but what-the ubb
of the silo for summer feeding will
make rapid gains during the next few
years and will soon come into common
use. The millions of tons of corn
stalks and rough forage which are
now annually going to waste will find
use in the form of silage and will
make possible not only a cheaper pro-
duction of stock and stock products,
but will also make it possible to at
least double the profit of stock raising.
Farmers who are complaining of low
profits from cattle, should make a
study of the silo, as they will here find
a means to Increase their profits and
do this with less labor. The silo is a
forage bank which if put into general
use will have a vast amount of valu-
able feed and bring a great wealth to
Tiur teopie.—:’A. u Haecaer.
A Jolly
Good Day
Follows
A Good Breakfast
Try a dish of
Post
Toasties
tomorrow morning.
These sweet, thin bits made
from Indian Com are cooked,
toasted and sealed in tight
packages without the touch
of human hand.
They reach you fresh and
crisp—ready to eat from the
package by adding cream or
milk and a sprinkling of sugar,
if desired.
Toasties are a jolly good
dish—
Nourishing
Satisfying
Delicious
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Phillips, R. M. Bixby Bulletin (Bixby, Okla.), Vol. 9, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, April 4, 1913, newspaper, April 4, 1913; Bixby, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc405511/m1/2/: accessed April 19, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.