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than she did the ticking of the clock。 And yet； tighter than anything else in
life； was the hold that little thing had on her heart…strings。 At night； after
the intermin… able work had been finished though in slovenly fashion
she would take it up and caress it with fierceness； and worn as she was；
would bathe it and soothe it； and give it warm milk from the big tin pail。
〃Lay the child down；〃 Jim would say impatiently； while the men
would tell how their wives always put the babies on the bed and let them
cry if they wanted to。 Annie said nothing； but she hushed the little one
with tender songs。
One day； as usual； it lay on its quilt while Annie worked。 It was a
terribly busy morning。 She had risen at four to get the washing out of the
way before the men got on hand； and there were a dozen loaves of bread to
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bake； and the meals to get； and the milk to attend to； and the chickens and
pigs to feed。 So occupied was she that she never was able to tell how long
she was gone from the baby。 She only knew that the heat of her own body
was so great that the blood seemed to be pounding at her ears； and she
staggered as she crossed the yard。 But when she went at last with a cup of
milk to feed the little one； it lay with clenched fists and fixed eyes； and as
she lifted it； a last convulsion laid it back breath… less； and its heart had
ceased to beat。
Annie ran with it to her room； and tried such remedies as she had。 But
nothing could keep the chill from creeping over the wasted little form；
not even the heat of the day； not even the mother's agonized embrace。
Then； suddenly； Annie looked at the clock。 It was time to get the dinner。
She laid the piteous tiny shape straight on the bed； threw a sheet over it；
and went back to the weltering kitchen to cook for those men； who came
at noon and who must be fed who must be fed。
When they were all seated at the table； Jim among them； and she had
served them； she said； standing at the head of the table； with her hands on
her hips：
〃I don't suppose any of you have time to do anything about it； but I
thought you might like to know that the baby is dead。 I wouldn't think of
asking you to spare the horses； for I know they have to rest。 But I thought；
if you could make out on a cold supper； that I would go to the town for a
coffin。〃
There was satire in the voice that stung even through the dull
perceptions of these men； and Jim arose with a cry and went to the room
where his dead baby lay。
About two months after this Annie in… sisted that she must go home to
Illinois。 Jim protested in a way。
〃You know； I'd like to send you；〃 he said； 〃but I don't see where the
money is to come from。 And since I've got this nomination； I want to run
as well as I can。 My friends expect me to do my best for them。 It's a duty；
you know； and nothing less； for a few men； like me； to get in the
legislature。 We're going to get a railroad bill through this session that will
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A Mountain Woman
straighten out a good many things。 Be patient a little longer； Annie。〃
〃I want to go home；〃 was the only reply he got。 〃You must get the
money； some way； for me to go home with。〃
〃I haven't paid a cent of interest yet；〃 he cried angrily。 〃I don't see what
you mean by being so unreasonable！〃
〃You must get the money； some way；〃 she reiterated。
He did not speak to her for a week； ex… cept when he was obliged to。
But she did not seem to mind； and he gave her the money。 He took her to
the train in the little wagon that had met her when she first came。 At the
station； some women were gossiping excitedly； and Annie asked what they
were saying。
〃It's Mis' Dundy；〃 they said。 〃She's been sent to th' insane asylum at
Lincoln。 She's gone stark mad。 All she said on the way out was； 'Th' butter
won't come！ Th' butter won't come！'〃 Then they laughed a little a
strange laugh； and Annie thought of a drinking…song she had once heard；
〃Here's to the next who dies。〃
Ten days after this Jim got a letter from her。 〃I am never coming back；
Jim；〃 it said。 〃It is hopeless。 I don't think I would mind standing still to
be shot down if there was any good in it。 But I'm not going back there to
work harder than any slave for those money…loaners and the rail… roads。 I
guess they can all get along with… out me。 And I am sure I can get along
without them。 I do not think this will make you feel very bad。 You
haven't seemed to notice me very much lately when I've been around； and
I do not think you will notice very much when I am gone。 I know what
this means。 I know I am breaking my word when I leave you。 But
remember； it is not you I leave； but the soil； Jim！ I will not be its slave any
longer。 If you care to come for me here； and live another life but no；
there would be no use。 Our love； like our toil； has been eaten up by those
rapacious acres。 Let us say good… by。〃
Jim sat all night with this letter in his hand。 Sometimes he dozed
heavily in his chair。 But he did not go to bed； and the next morning he
hitched up his horses and rode to town。 He went to the bank which held
his notes。
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〃I'll confess judgment as soon as you like；〃 he said。 〃It's all up with
me。〃
It was done as quickly as the law would allow。 And the things in the
house were sold by auction。 All the farmers were there with their wives。 It
made quite an outing for them。 Jim moved around impassively； and
chatted； now and then； with some of the men about what the horses ought
to bring。
The auctioneer was a clever fellow。 Be… tween the putting up of the
articles； he sang comic songs； and the funnier the song； the livelier the
bidding that followed。 The horses brought a decent price； and the ma…
chinery a disappointing one； and then； after a delicious snatch about Nell
who rode the sway…backed mare at the county fair； he got down to the
furniture； the furniture which Jim had bought when he was expect… ing
Annie。
Jim was walking around with his hands in his pockets； looking