The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-08-15
On THE SHEEP RANCH.
A MONTANA SKETCH

49, ~ DiihuliS ouOW, Jue SKY
aark and sullen, a wild wind sweeping
over the plains, the mountains quite
oiduen from view by the storm.
cara threw more pine logs on the
nre drew together the red chintz cur
talns at the small window of her best
room" and tried tomake things tri-
ue cozier in the ranch cabin.
Father will soon be home," she
Sald--she had fallen into the habit of
talking TO hers If cut in this lonely
country, tn "new, far-We,t." "He
VIII put the sheep in the corral early
:o-night-it is 50 stormy"
A small CLOCK ON shelf, which
served as mantel, and which was
draped with some simple but pretty
ehintz, like the curtain, struck four.
Cara sighed little as she heard it.
How many times had she listened to
that same silN cry chime it was
pretty little French clock-in happier
uays in tho dear East It's musical
found recalled so much - brought
back the pretty, old fashioned New
England home SO plainly.
How her dreams had turned out
When her father cam to her one fall
lay and said very gravely, "Zara, |
tave lost money. This place must be
sold. | shall go West" her heart had
leaped with foolish Joy. She hal
dreamed so often of the West; she
knew it was paradise, 50 free and
wild. "RCughing it would be so
very pleasant Had she not real in
books about it? So she had only
smiled at her fathers grave face and
exclaimed: 81 am SO glad we are going
West We sbAl make our fortune
there, know
She was hger then-barely sew
enteen. Vas twenty-five now
sSd e,,d be been aoughing it" five years
The lovely New England home had
Oeen sod, all debts paid for Zara
Jcsslyn's father was strictly honorable
--and father and daughter had sought
the West-the great, undeveloped ter
tltory of Montana. Mr.. Josslyn's re-
Amainlng capital, which was not large,
~ been invested in sheep.
ne years came and went-the little
flock of sheep grew larger, and
money came in little more plentifully;
but Mr.. Josslyn had not made "a for
tune yet, and life on a ranch was not
easy. Iara pined, secretly, for the
East. She hated these desolate plains,
the barren foothills" the deeply-fur-
rowed, snowy mountains, so different
from the wooded New England hills.
AganpChe little gilt clock chimed-
this time, five.
Il wonder father does not come ~
exclaimed cara, rising from low
foot-bench by the fire, where she had
been sitting thinking for the last hour.
She went to the window, and parting
the curtains vainly tried to peer
through the darkness. The wind
moaned and walled, the snow blew
against the window-pane. Zara shiv-
cred and drew back. AS she did so
che caught esound of voices Lamp
in hand she hurried to the door.
$50 right in, she heard her father
say "don't wait for me. Just tell
her you are from the East that will
be sufficient recommendation !"
Then cara saw her father turn
toward the barn leading another horse
beside his own, and Il tall man, well
mufled, came striding up the path
from the gateway.
"May l come in?" asked the stran-
ger, pausing for a moment at the door
and raising fur cap.
Certainly" replied Zara, and re-
treated into the warm, fre-lt room.
The tall man followed, and quickly
divesting himself of his snow-covered
outer wrappings, drew near the blaz-
ing fire.
My name is William Sto-
rey," he said, smiling; "and your faith
er advises me to tell you that l am
from the East"
Zara smiled also. "Father knows
how glad l am always to see any one
from home," she said.
81 have been in Montana, however,
all this fall" Mr.. Storey went on TO
say "and come here nearly every fall
to hunt. Montana is good hunting
ground. But l have fingered a little
too long among the Rockies this time /;
winter has oYertalen me !"
1T is our first real snowstorm. but
it makes one feel it ought to be Janu-
airy instead of November !" cara said,
with sigh, as II gust Of wind beat
wildly against the ranch cabin.
"You do not like the West?" asked
her companion, glancing up at the
young girls somewhat sad face
"No; l thouNjt should like it, but
it is very disaL, pinting." Then sud
denly her face X hdling: Have you
ever been in Maine? Have you ever
passed through little town called
Laurel 7" she asked eagerly.
"Nes, to both questions" replied
Storey again smiltcIt 81 stopped
over night once at Ilhs.',4 N my way
A.