Wild Western Scenes Part 46

"Never mind it, Joe," said Glenn, rising. "We are now going to gather wild raspberries on the cliff south of and we want you and Sneak to a.s.sist us."

"Well--I like raspberries, and they must be ripe by this time, if the chickens havn't picked them all before us."

"Dod--if the chickens have ett 'em can that make 'em _green_ agin?"

replied Sneak to Joe's Irishism.

"You'd better learn how to read before you turn critic," said Joe, taking up the baskets that had been brought out of the house. He then led the way, quarrelling all the time with Sneak, while Glenn, placing Mary's arm in his, and William imitating the example, followed at a distance behind.

When the party reached the raspberry thicket, they found truly that the fowls were there before them, though quite an abundance of the delicious berry still remained untouched. A few moments sufficed to drive the feathered gatherers away, and then without delay they began to fill their baskets.

Many were the hearty peals of joyous laughter that rang from the innocent lovers while momentarily obscured by the green cl.u.s.tering bushes. Ere long they were dispersed in various parts of the thicket, and Glenn and Mary being separated from the rest, our hero seized the opportunity to broach a tender subject.

"Mary," said he, and then most unaccountably paused.

"Well," said she turning her glorious dark blue eyes full upon him.

"I have something of moment to say to you, if you will listen attentively--and I know not a more fitting time and place than this to tell it. Here is a natural bower surrounded by sweet berries, and shielded from the sun by the fragrant myrtle. Let us sit on this mossy rock. Will you listen?" he continued, drawing her close to his side on the seat in the cool retreat.

"Have I ever refused to listen to you? do I not love to hear your voice?" said the confiding and happy girl.

"Bless you, Mary--my whole heart is yours!" exclaimed our hero, seizing a rapturous kiss from the coral lips of the maiden. Mary resisted not, nor replied; while tears, but not of grief, glistened on her dark lashes.

"You will not reject my love, Mary? Why do you weep?"

"It is with joy--my heart is so happy that tears gush out in spite of me!"

"Will you then be mine?" continued Glenn, winding his arm round her yielding waist.

"Forever!" she replied, and, bowing her head slightly, a shower of dark silken tresses obscured her blushing face, and covered our hero's panting breast. Thus they remained many moments in silence, for their feelings were too blissful for utterance.

"Are you always happy, Mary?" said Glenn, at length, taking her little white hand in his.

"No!" she replied, with a sigh.

"Why?"

"When you are away, I sometimes fear the Indians--or a snake--or--or something may harm you," said she, falteringly.

"I thank thee, Mary, for thinking of me when I am away."

"I always think of thee!" said she.

"Always, Mary?"

"Ay, by day--and thou art ever with me in my dreams."

"And I _will_ be with thee always!"

"Do!" said she.

"But dost thou not sometimes repine that thy life is thus spent in the wilderness far from the busy world?"

"I sometimes wish I could see the beautiful cities I read of--but when I think of the treacheries and miseries of the world, I look at the pure fresh flowers, and list to the sweet birds around me, and then I think there is more happiness to be enjoyed here than anywhere else."

"And such is truly the case," said Glenn, pondering "But then, Mary, we all have obligations to discharge. We were created for society--to a.s.sociate with our species, and while mingling with kindred beings, it is our duty to bestow as many benefits on them as may be within the scope of our power."

"You think, then, we should leave our western home?" she asked, with undisguised interest.

"Wilt thou not consent to go?"

"If you go, I will go!" said she.

"And now I declare I will not go unless thou art willing."

"But is it a _duty_?" she asked.

"Your fa--Mr. Roughgrove says so."

"Then let us go! But why did you not say _father_?"

"He is not your father."

"No!" exclaimed the maid, turning pale.

"I will tell thee all, Mary." And Glenn related the story of the maiden's birth. "Now, Mary," he continued, "thou knowest thine own history. Thou art of a n.o.ble race, according to the rules of men--nay, thy blood is royal--if thou wouldst retract thy plighted faith (I should have told thee this before,) speak, and thy will shall be done!"

"Oh! Charles! I am thine, THINE ONLY, were I born an angel!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms. At this juncture a violent rustling was heard in the bushes not far distant, and the next moment Joe's voice rang out.

"Oh me! Oh St. Peter! Oh murder! murder! murder!" cried he. Instantly all the party were collected round him. He lay in a small open s.p.a.ce on the gra.s.s, with his basket bottom upward at his side, and all the berries scattered on the ground.

"What is the matter?" asked Glenn.

"Oh, I'm snake-bitten! I'm a dead man! I'm dying!" cried he, piteously.

"That's a fib," said Sneak, "bekaise a dead man can't be a dying."

"Let me see," said William, stooping down to examine the place on which Joe's hands were convulsively pressed. With some difficulty he pulled them away, and tearing down the stocking, actually saw a small bleeding puncture over the ankle bone!

"What kind of a snake was it?" asked Glenn in alarm. "A rattlesnake--Oh!"

"Did you _see_ it?" continued Glenn, knowing Joe's foible, though it was apparent he suffered from some kind of a wound.

"I heard it rattle. Oh, my goodness! I'm going fast! I'm turning blind!"

La-u-na told him to run to the house and cover the wound with salt, and remain quiet till Sneak could obtain some plantain leaves from the prairie. Joe sprang up and rushed down the hill. Sneak set out in quest of the antidote, and the rest directed their steps homeward.

When they reached Roughgrove's house, they found Joe lying in the middle of the floor on his back, and groaning most dolefully. He had applied the salt to the wound as directed, and covered it and his whole leg so plentifully with bandages that the latter seemed to be as thick as his body.

"How do you feel now, Joe?" asked Glenn.