By Bret Harte
ReadOasis Step 2
(Part 2)

The men talked about the child for a long time without making a decision. Stumpy didn't say a word during these long talks. But when the others finally asked his opinion, he admitted that he wanted to take care of the baby himself. He had been feeding it milk from a donkey, and he believed that he could raise the baby just fine.

There was something original, independent, and even heroic about this. Stumpy's plan pleased the men of Roaring Camp. So, Stump...