The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-22


Addison's little paper. tho sssctator, vi.
Goldsmith's little paper. Ahs nae, y ME.
Johnson's little Ispsr, wv knmbler. y v
would DO issued Oh Als plantation ~ the
editor. nine uliIas from Hillsborcugh. Joy
read this advertisement over a d0z1n times.
md II was with i great deal of irnpatienos
that ha waitsd Tor tho next Tuesday w.
come. e. n ~ !. 5S /.
u, M |.. ne 3 ~ api a'd os ss%s, saa r 5as y s. ssf
ana nj, ana 10 thought " wasssthe most IN
pertaining littls pApsr he had over seen.
Among the interesting things, was an w.
nouncoment by the editor that ne wanted .
borrowed pen and ink and some paper
from tho friendly postmaster, and wrote, 2.
letter to the oditor, saying that no wonld
be glad to learn tho printing business. Ihe
letter was no doubt MI awkward one, bus "
served ita purpose, for when the editor 81
hunted Joe up and told him TO Ret ready W.
go the plantation. The lad, NOT without
some misgiylngs, put away his tops and
marbles, packed his little belongings in an
old fashioned trunk, kissed his mother and
his grandmoth,er goodbye, ana set forth
on what turned out to be the most import
ant journey OF his life. s55s 8@5.
Sitting IN the buggy BY. tho side OF the
editor and publisher OF The Conntryman,
Joe Maxwell felt lonely indeed, Rnd this
feeling was increased as he went through
the little town and heard his sohoolmates,
square, bidding him good-by. He could
hardly keep back his 4tsars at this, hui. on
looking around after the buggy had gone q
little way, he saw his friends had returned
to their marbles. and the thought struck
him that 5he was already forgotten. Many
IEE1Tt No. 4 :-.-@ - At1r ~ T. 1,1r t1 -
his little companions and how quickly they
had returned TO their marbles. !
Tbs editor Of the countfyman must have
OWNED what was passing in the lads mind
(he was a quick-witted man, and u clover
one, too), for no tried to get up a conversa-
ton with Joe. But the boy preferted to
nurse his loneliness and would only talk
whom he was compelled to answer . ques-
tion. Finally the editor asked him il he
would drive, and this Joe was glad enough
to do, for thore is some diversion in hold
ing the reins over q spirited horse. The
editors horse was q large gray. named Ben
Bolt, aud he was finer than any OF the
horses that Joe had seen al the livery stable.
Feeling a new and unaccnstomsd touch on
the reins, Ben Bolt made An effort to give q
new meaning to his name by boiling sure
enough. The road was level and hard, and
the horse ran rapidly for 9 little distance;
bat ZOO Maxwell's arms were tough, and
DeIOEe VuGEAJxaC nAl kVAU u 3AAA& ~ -
mile tbs lad had him completely under
control. $t
who IVA familiar with Ben Bolts tricks.
II didn't know that little boys in town
could drive.'' y
he had been scared, / think 1 should have
been scared myself; but he was only play
Ing. He has been tied at the rack all day,
and he must be hungry" o*
Eyes," said the editor, "he is hungry, and
he wants to see his mate, Rob Roy
Then the editor, in a fanciful way went
on to talk about Ben Bolt and Rob Roy, as
il they were persons instead Ut horses, but
il did not seem fanoiful to Joe, who had a
strange sympathy with animals Of all kinds,
especially horses and dogs. tt pleased him
greatly to think that he had ideas in COM
mon with 4 grown man, who knew how to
write for the papers; and if the editor was
talking to make Joe forget his loneliness,
he succeeded admirably. for the lad thought
no more of the boys who had so quickly re-
turned to their marbles, but only Of his
mother, whom he had last seen standing al
the little gate smiling at him through her
tears. w a&&& ~ ~ .g5Gg
out d little log cabin near the road.
.aThat,' said he, Ills where the high sher.
if Of the county lives. Do you know Col
John B. Stith?' #4s25 2s
yes said Joe, "but I thought he lived
in q large, fine house. I don't see how he
can get get in at that door yonder" @%
0What makes you think he. il too big fol
this door?n asked the editor. 8 Wy %
.sWhy, the way he goes on said Joe
with the bluntness Of youth. HE is Away
in town talking politics, and he talks big:
ger than anybody"
:,,Well's' said ths editor, laughing, 't he;
is the house. When you get a little oltlol
you'll find people who are more %dissapoint.
ing than the high sheriff. Boys are some
times too big for their breaches, I've heari
said, but this is the first time I sver hearG
that a man could be too big for his house
That 10 4 good one on the colonel" j.
Ben Bolt ttotted along steadily and
rapidly, but after awhile dusk fell, ant
then the stars came out. Joe peered ahead
trying to make out the road. y
s.Just let the horse have his way" sale
the editor. Tie knows the road better thar
1 do" and it seemed to be 40, for whe1
heavy clouds from the wsst came up anG
visible, Ben Bolt trotted along as STEADILY
as ever. He splashed through Crooked
creek, walked up the long hill, and thel
started forward more rapidly than ever. =.
''It is a level road, now" said the edi-
tor. land Ben Bolt is on the homo stretch
In o little while he stopped before a iarg,
cato. 1t was opened in q jitfy by some On
who seemed to be waiting. g
rs that you, Harbert?n asked the editor
%"Yes. marster."
1Weil, I want you to take Mr.. Maxwell
here to MIR. ~Snelson's." @ " o@.%' ~
.'Yasser," responded the negro. ~
"Snelson is the foreman of the printing
Office, the editor explained TO Joe, "ant
for the present you are to board with him
I hope he will make things pleasant 70!
you. Good night. I s.@&. ~ f..
To the lonely lad it seemed a long jour
ney to Mr.. Snelson's-through wide planta
tion gates, down narrow lancs, along a bi
of public road, n then a plunge into tn,
depths Of a great wood, where presently
light cleaned through.
H'I'll hail 'sm,'' said Harbert. and he sen
before him into the darkness q musica
halloo, whereupon, as promptly as its echo
came a hearty response from the house will
l-t--l- 49,