Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-02-07

one whom he wishes to be his partner -
Walter nodded aud buttoned up t
package in his breast, and in a few momer
he was whizzing away over the snow-cc
cred fields.
The business tor Il week or two was ca
and pleasant enough. Money was to
collected. and remitted by draft. The h
tells at Harrisburg and JohnstOwn we
comfortable, Walter had plenty of none
and threw it about like young lord. l
was generous. frank. genial fellow wi
his equals, and 1.-THE DucliffS of Philad,
phia,' lie wrote to his mother. chad Il
entree. of course. to the best society ever
where
His last work was the settlement of son
claims in the mountain countries then
could go home. These people with who
he now had to deal had never heard of Il
Ducliffs, but they were well bred and ed
Gated. and Walter found friends on evel
side. 1t was himself. he thought, not his al
ccstors, which gained him friends here. Gel
tlemen themselves, they know gentleina
by instinct. He was confirmed in h
theory that the educated classes form
sort of Free Masonry everywhere, of MI
tllal help and brotherhood. AS for ignol
ant Doors, as Walter was fond of callin
them, they We're out in a general limbo {
vice. and want and greed. ''What l ca
do for your favorite poor, will, mother,
he wrote loftily, ''but tn, more see c
them the less | like the habits of eithe
their souls or bodies.''
Now, Walter was not strong. and tn
| change from this hOt-house lite to the bit
ter cold of the mountain range began t,
tell on him. When the last paper wa
signed, and he stepped into the cars, h
was hot and feyerish. In two days h,
would be at home.
Barely in time for Jennie's ball." Ii
thought.
When he reached Altoona. then only
small wayside station, it was late in the af
ternoon. AS he went into the waiting
room. a telegram was handed to him.
IF possible, go to Wright's Furnace and
iron."
Walter dashed down the valise.
Where is Wright's Furnace ~ he asked
of the station master.
Back sixty miles on the branch that
you crossed ut noon. The express has
Just gone. No other but the freight train.
You had better wait until morning." See
ing that the boy hesitated: There's a
storm coming up
TO go at all was to give up the bail
which he and Jennie had talked of for
months. ..He says, If possible and it is
not possible The next instant lie blush
ed with shame. If he waited until to-mor-
row. he would be too late for Christmas,
and disapppoint his mother. Il will go
tonight" he said.
s'Freight trains not heated, mind, young
man."
"I'll go"
'.Plucky little chap: said the station
master, as Ducliff. valise in hand, sprang
upon the dirty cars as they numbered along.
lie crept into the corner OF one and fell
asleep. About IL o'clock the conductor
shook him.
Here's your landing place, my lad"
''Eh? How? The Furnace
mo, the nearest station. Wright's Fur
mace lies two miles up that road. You'd
better stay aboard the train, and come
down from Finville in the morning. It's
4 rough tramp in this snow; and there's
no tavern at the Furnace. Unless you've
got friends there
':No-nO."
The snow, mixed with a sharp sleet, was
falling heavily. Walter looked out at the
yhostly shapes of the mountains, and the
break in the great forest up which he was
% walk. The solitude of the night was in
tself terrible"
Good night, I'll risk it," he said. jump
ng of. The old knights among his pro-
yenitors had not shirked danger; and he
,ould do his devoir if it were only to keep
promise to his mother, or be prompt in
lis work as merchants clerk. Besides,
he Suttons were thoroughbred people of
his own class. They would make him wei
come, of course.
He had high cavalry boots, but the snow
,ozed in at the tops of them, and his feet
we're soon an inch deep in icy water. The
,wo miles walk up the ravine heightened
% six, he wandered SO often from the path.
He sang. laughed at every fresh tumble,
made jokes to himself, which seemed i'm
pertinent in the face of that awful solitude.
But he could not help it. He was only
10Y. and fun and jokes were the only
'timulant for him against danger, which
/ man would have found in grim patience
,r whisky. But he could not hide the fact
hat his legs were racked with pain and his
stomach was empty. He had forgotten to
,at any supper. Just after the turn of the
hight new moon threw ghOstly white
less over the mountains, and he saw the
shape of half dozen houses black against
he snow. He urged his still legs into
'un. Now that help was near he felt how
II he really was.
Furnace. blacksmith shop. carpenters
shop" he said. passing two empty sheds.
But two houses were lett; one large
handsome villa, the other low slaanty.
III not disturb the Suttons tonight" he
'aid, knocking at the door ofthe last. The
mock sounded threatening enough against
inbroken silence. A window overhead
vas raised.
"Who's there?'' in woman's quaver.
"A gentleman on business to see Mr..
sutton"
''Mr. Sutton's in Washington. Been
here six MONTHS" 3Ff& 4
Bang! down came the window. Walter
pounded again at the door.
''You must take me in. I'll pay you well
or lodging and SUPPER he said, pre-
sDon't keep tavern. Go to Sutton's, if
1er business is with Sutton" sac