Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-08-21
The Wreck of the Pioneer.

Ralph Keystone was one of those men
who combine a talent for practical
things with IN active imagination. He
was ut the same time a most impractical
man in affairs of business. Like all i'm
aginative men, he early found woman
whom lie could clothe in ideal charms,
and then fell in love with her. Jane
Bcsant was the only daughter OF Farmer
Besant, who owned and operated AN i'm
mense wheat farm not far from the vii
lage of Muskalontic. To Farmer Bcsant
went Ralph in the first flush of his love
Cor Jane.
= \ ou wish to marry Jane?'
The young man replied. Not immsdi-
Atcly,' for lust at the time he was out of
employment.
That's just il, Keystone" said the
farmer; you are out OF work for the
fourth time since you came from the
East How can you marry on so un-
certain prospect? You are too un-
stable; you do not stick to anything"
Ralph admitted he had been unfortu-
nate in his ventures; but he still had n
little money left. and he would now go
into some manufacturing business.
Manufacturing, indeed! There's
nothing but farms within fifty miles.
Wheat is the only thing that pays here.
unless it I've lumber, and there isn't
sawmill within a hundred miles"
Then might start one, y said Ralph.
catching Mt this straw, for he felt him
self sinking. lie could make no head
way against this hard, practical man,
who knew nothing beyond wheat.
Start sawmill! Where's your
power? And, If you had It. how could
til 81
river? Look here, Ralph. | don't want
TO be hard on you. | see you love Jane
and Jane loves you-at least she seems
TO think So"
That's the truth" said Ralph. ave
love each other dearly"
Now I'll make bargain with you,
If you will go into some business, and
make 4 success, you shall have Jane
that Is. II she wants you.
THANK you. sir, said tho young man.
"Ill start the sawmill at once"
The road to the village followed the
river for some distance through Farmer
Besant's land, and then turned east
through the woods toward the village.
Ralph walked along I'm dazed fashion
mentally numb with his refusal. his body
walking automatically, just as 1t viii
when the mind Is absorbed in c1ntCm-
plation. At the turn of the road iis feet
took the right direction for home. but
after going few steps he stopped
abruptly, and turned back to the river.
The Muskalontic is n wide, shallow
stream, winding sluggislIly through the
country, It's banks being hereabouts
heavily fringed with woods.
The young man Jeff the road and fol-
lowed the shore down stream, walking
quickly, rs If looking for something.
Like all imaginative people. he had been
given to wandering about the country.
and was familiar with the land for miles
around Muskalontic. lie remembered
having secni falling into the river, lie
tween two low hills. slender brook.
half lost in the woods.
just as he had supposed. II was n
living stream, still running. though IL
was August. He looked Mt the tiny run
for moment, and then started briskly
up its winding channel, carefully noting
the slopc and character Of the ground
After walking n short distance he found
the little valley narrowed, and then
spread out into slough, n marsh. where
the stream was lost In pools and sedges.
Like prospector searching for pre-
cious metals when he finds vein. he
threw up his hat with u cheer.
I've won herl | fancy the old gnn-
tle1man win let us marry now"
Just then there came through the
woods the sound Of a passing steamer on
the river. and the young man smiled.
"I'll beat those fellows yet. They
take all this trade up the river, and leave
this farming region to stagnate. We
must have manufactures here, and they
shall begin with sawmill."
Keystone sat up All night over hii
drawing paper and pencils. Two days
after saw three woodman fclling trees by
the little brook. The land belonged e
Farmer Besant, and he had consented
that n dam should be erected thereon. |
Keystone was fool enough to sink his
money In improving the bit Uf water
power he thought he had found. he wa
ut liberty 10 do 40. provided he gave hal
the work when finished TO the landownr.I
with half the lumber cut on the lam