Morris tribune., 1883-03-10

they hasl fallen into ways that each was
| sure his mother could not approve,
"Dang 1t! / don't believe | can try
| harder than | have this time, and If
don't fetchi it, Pm off to the Territory rs
ranchman. Pll never go home without
pile"
The speaker WAS handsome young
| man. with auburn hair
and ruddy whiskers carefully brushed
and by reason of this careful
ness was nicknamed Dandy.
al can't agree with you, Dandy, about
| going to the territory. It's here. We
know it's here, and it'll be pretty rough
on us if we can't get right sma ri
chance. For my part ! don't mean to
give 1t up"
"Good for you, Timothyp was roared
in chorus. "We'll stick to you as long
as there's button on your coat"
Slender was driving his pick. He
made no observation for the reason that
he was listening and their words sent
him to thinking. He had never inten-
ded to stay SO long away from his moth
er. What if anything should happen to
her? What if he would never see her
again? He was doing all that he could,
and there were days, and nights, too,
lOf tllat nlattef, WHICH ~ iu noL seem
that he could keep up. Still it would
be cowardlyto give up; He must do, as
long rs could do. and then
Late one evening, as the miners were
gathering the implements of their toll, a
lad, seemingly exhausted, dragged him
self along the rough path, and asked in
scpulchral voice if they needed help.
care you the help" was asked with a
loud laugh.
Il have gone looking after camp.
The men have gone further on, and l
thought, perhaps
His voice was spent. 1t was not III
their hearts to run away, he was so thin
and pale.
anyway, You can bunk with us to.
night" said Startling.
It was Tins cook week, and the coffee
was steaming when the men entered the
hut. Tin plates and cups were set in or
der.
"We'va got companv..' exclaimed
Starting, pushing the boy before him.
"Surely, we've got an extra" laughed
Tim, Immediately filling tin cup and
setting it on board that did as table.
"Some' time since bel had square meal,
by his looks" running his eyes over the
boy and then to Startling, who seemed
to tower SO farabove him.
"Been sick" answered the latter, TAX
ing the cup from the table and giving it
to the lad. Drink it; you'll feel better,
and the rest of the tixin's is nice. Tim
is a frst.rate cook.
The action pleased the men there was
no want of kindness to the boy.
After supper the men filled their pipes
and threw themselves down before the
fire of sweet-smelling balsam. The lad
begged to wash up; he would sleep the
better for 1t. he said, and Tim allowed
him, nodding over to the men when it
wad done with an air of appreciation
and smile that seemed to say He'll
not be in the way"
"Had that cOug Oh long?" Dandy asked,
as the lad came and curled down to the
fire.
''Since l was sick. It's worse at night"
answered the lad, who gave his name as
Lance Leonard.
More pine knots were thrown on, red
flames leaped upward and brought out
the trees and the camp utensils with
clear cut lines. The men were ;uerry.
Stories were told and the laugh went
round. Gradually the fire died away
and the merriment went out with it.
The camp was still and the men were
asleep.
Weeks passed; the weary men found
a change in their camp fare; but the lad
was sensibly growing weaker, and his
cough awoke grave fears.
"It's easy enough to see the kid wants
his mother" said Startling.
cts long journey, and he's not lit to
60 alone" added Slender.
"As fit as ne is to work here" ventur-
ed Tim,
Hes one of us, and We can help him.
chimed another.
That's what We'll do. Wen help
him." was said heartily.
There was deep silence, Slender was
not talker. More than once he had
thought, however, that he would take
Lance to his mother. and then he would
90 down to his own home. Once more
that racking cough.
"Tou are not feeling SIS we'll tonight,
Lance2' was asked.
"lts that cough; it won't let me rest,
was the reply.
There's doctor at the Gulch," was
suggested.
ayes. first rate, Eve heard say"
Slender went out into the night. If
doctor could be found he would bring
him. The moon was hanging like sill
yer shield in the sky. The pines stood
as sentinels; the stars glistened. 1t was
a long walk. The doctor was standing
before the campfire, and Lance was
wandering. Now it was gold. lHis moth
or was poor. He had a brother and a
dear little sister; they would never know
how he had tried.
"Can he get well?" asked Dandy.
Nothing but a miracle will save him,
was the doctors reply.
Hours passed; the doctor was still
watching. There was no sleep. A voice
seemed to come at intervals from out
side.
"It's Slender; l do believe he's play
ing" was said tenderly.
The boy cried out for his mother.
"Sing, please, one of the old songs" he
said.
The doctor looked up to Startling.
II can't" the man whispered hoarse~
"Slender can sing" said Dandy.
The latter went out noiseleesly. When
he returned Slender was with him.
"Sing, please" pleaded Lance.
ut seems as though God and bis an
gels were here" whispered Startling.
Inc camp was IOISOLlCH' AACy WIZ
boys again. The dear home was before
them. Slender never knew how it be.
gan, but he was singing
Rock of ages, cleft for me.
Let me hide myself in thee.
A smile settled over the face of the
sick youth. He was asleep. Slender
lasped into silence. Strange thoughts
stirred the hearts Of the miners. Was
it all of life to dig for gold? Gradually
sweet thoughts crept in of love and ten
der claspings and dear faces. tear
stained, looking and longing for the re-
turn of the wanderer.
Eyes, and we will gol' It was Star
ling. He bad not intended to speak
aloud; but it did not waken the sleeper.
Slender was the first to read the truth.
Lance was asleep, but it was the sliced
that wakens on the other shore.
The day was capricious and the wind
clustering Bright colored leaves lined
the sidewalk Pedestrians were warm
ly clad, and walked at a brisk pace.
Frank Rensselaer, had kept the memory
oil the village enshrined in his heart dur