The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-04-03
THE COLONEL'S SON.

II was hot afternoon-some OF you
may know how het it can be on the prai-
rie when there Is no wind.
/ was sitting in the little ticket-ofiice of
the railroad station at which was agent.
From the window could see the hot air
rising from the sun-burned buffalo grass.
wing to the lonely rancho buildings
scattered here and there in the distance
an unstable, wavering appearance, as
though they might at any moment blow
away.
Presently ou; Of the silence there came
the footballs Of a horses hoofs stopping
at the platform, and followed 10y queer
"pegging sound over the planks and
into the waiting-room. looked up and
saw boy of about fourteen standing in
the doorway. His right leg was amputa-
ted above the knee, and he supported
himself on pair Of ght crutches, which
had sling straps to them like an army
carbine,
He handed me an express order for
package to Colonel Reed, prominent
cattleman, whose ranch buildings we're
about mile south of the track
Are you tine Colonel's SOM" l ask
ed, as | handed out the package.
Yes, sir" was the reply. Charles
Reed is my name"
Then he turned and looked curiously
in at the telegraph instruments. He had
such a bright, healthy and wide-awake
air, that invited him TO walk in and ex-
anime them, if he wished.
His eyes frightened Immediately.
I'd like to. ifyou don't mind. The
other agent was cross, and was afraid
to ask him."
Seeing thai he was interested in them,
l explained briefly the working of the
key and sounder, and tried to give him
some idea how a message was sent and
received. lie listened attentively, and
appeaSed to comprehend it reasonably
we'll.
Yes he said, and concluded, al
know something about it, though only
through what have read Of it. Would
you mind writing out the alphabet for
me ?"
l wrote out the characters on slip of
paper, which he tucked carefully away
in his pocketbook and then, finding /
was a stranger to that part of the West,
he volunteered some information about
the country, including remarkably ae-
curate description Of the game birds and
their peculiar habits, which, as | was
considerable of a sportsman, | found very
interesting.
Before he left he told me that be had
lost his leg during an Indian raid about
four years ago, before the railroad was
built. His fathers ranch had been at
tackled without warning. He was Only
ten years old at the time, and being out
OF doors, he had slipped away unobsery-
ed and hidden in the corral land while
there he was hit by stray rifle ball in
the knee.
accompanied him to the door when
he was ready to 60, and was surprised to
see how thoroughly at home he was on
his pony. With his crutches slung be-
hind him, he swung nimbly into the sad
die, and started off toward home on a
brisk gallop.
One afternoon, about week later, he
dropped in again, having meanwhile
learned the teiegraphic alphabet 50 that
he could repeat all the characters easily,
and the next day the Colonel himself
stopped in on his way to town. lie was
a brisk, genial man, who had habit of
hands with every one. He was
a typical frontier ranchman.
See here, Mr.. Agent" he said, {" that
boy of mine has hankering TO learn
your business. He's kind of lonesome,
you see-he can't play with the other
boys on account of his leg-and now if
you don't mind having him around, and
will teach him what you ean-he's pretty
bright and can learn most anything
why, III make it worth your while what
is your charge p
why, Colonel, replied, laughing at
his business-iike manner, shall be glad
to have HIM around-I am very lone
some here--so we won't draw up any
contract"
Charley was an apt pupil. In about a
month he could send and receive mes
sage, though Of course not very rapidly.
His father was so delighted with his pro-
gress that he made me present ofa rid
ing pony /; and shortly after, when Char
ley got il into his head that it would be
a fine thing 10 have private line from
the racnh to the station. the colonel had
me order two instruments and coil of
wire
Under my directions the cowboys put