Arizona republican., 1892-03-04
"AB' BECAME A HERO.


 very bad hupor. A deep scowl had set tied on his sunburned face, and as he sat on stump by the bridle path he dug his heels into the stony soil and uttered maledictions on the world in general.
 Abithar Achish Higgins was evidently waiting for some one who was not on time. Abithar Achish was the Scriptural name bestowed upon tall, ungainly youth of twenty summers by mother who was deeply religious, and was taken haphazard from the good book. just like all the names for the Higgins progeny And Abithar Achish's mother always called him by his full name. But she was the only one who did Everybody else called him Alb.
 'Ab Higgins, yer durn fool fer stay in here" said the youth to himself as his heels dug very viciously into the soil Why don't yer get outen hyar an see ther world? Yer fit fer sumthin better than Twin an dyin in these mountings like yer par did, an never knowin nothin. If yer git outen hyar yer kin make CT forum, an thet's sumthin yer can't make hyar no more'n yer kin keep outen ther clutches O ther revenoos when yer make a little whisky. B'gosh. Ab, why don't yer start terdayY'
 Ab answered his own question by as suming standing position and kicking huge chunks from the decayed stump that had served him as q seat.
 "l reckon Meliss ain't comin," said Alb, after kicking at the stump for a time, "an reckon I'll go home an tell mann as how I'm goin ter Saint Looey fer tor make a furtun"
 Ab turned slowly and began walking up the bridle path. He had taken scarce half a dozen steps, when soft voice issued from the bushes and hailed him:
 "Oh, Alb, what silly thing yer gittin ter bel"
 Alb stopped and broad smile spread over his homely face as he turned and saw girl step into the bride path.
 live been hidin in ther bushes fer a half'n hour," said the girl. "an hecrd what yer said about goin ter Saint Looey an makin yer forum, Air yer gittin too good fer Barkers Cleaiin"
 "Wot yer wanter tcaze fellel fer, Melissa" said Alb in a deprecating tone as he and the girl sat down in the shade and clasped hands lovingly.
 Melissa Rankin was pretty, despite the ungainly bonnet that surrounded her face and homespun dress that lily fitted her form. Her father was ''in Jail" at Jefferson City for the crime of being caught in the act of illicit distill- ing, and she and her mother lived alone in cabin that was perched upon the bank of the rushing mountain brook that furnished the power for the rude mill that was the pride of Barker's Clearing.
 AS and Melissa had been "sparkin" for two years, and it was evident to the whole clearing that there would be a wedding as soon as Alb was old enough to go to the county seat and blushingly assert that he was twenty-one,
 The leaves of the scrub oaks were fast turning brown in the autumn winds and blowing hither and thither on the breezes. Melissa had noticed change in her Alb of late. Not that he appeared less affectionate than of old, but that he seemed preoccupied and discontented with his surroundings. The change had begun soon after MT. Gloss had left Bar ker's Clearing. Goss was young law student from St. Louis, and he spent the summer at the clearing fishing and hunting During his stay Alb was his constant companion. As the two idled away many a summer afternoon in the shade on the mountain side Gloss poured into the ears of the listening Abithar the myths and legends of ancient days, and told of the great world that lay beyond the rugged Ozarks that had heretofore seemed to Abithar to be the utmost bounds of the earth.
 Come to St. Louis, Alb, and I'll make rich man of you," were Goss' parting words, as he left tho clearing to return to his home in tho city.
 The words had been spoken in jest, but Abithar cherished them in his heart, and as the days passed he became more and more convinced that out in the world was wealth and fame for him as well as for others.
 Alb and Melissa sat and talked as the afternoon waned. Melissa strived to persuade Alb that he would better re- main where he was and not attempt to battle with the great outside world.
 Stay right hyar, Ab," said Melissa. Wy can't yer be content like yer pap wuz? He wuz born right hyar at Bar ker's Clearin, an at Barker's Clearin he died Ye ain't no better'n yer pap, air ye?''
 What is there hyar fer man to do, Melissa2 Ef stay hyar I'll never mount ter nothin, but ef l go out an see the world maybe kin get rich. Maybe ,an get ter be what Mir. Goss said wuz cr hero-one O them fellers like Apoller, or like ther man as flung hisself on them Ustrian spears ter save his country. l kain't do ct of stay hyar. Elf l don't git out O hyar I'll never be wuth shucks."
 But what1l become of me, Alb, ef yer go way" asked Melissa in a fearful voice.
 When get ter be one O them rich heroes m come back arter yer, Meliss," |" said Alb. as he frightened his clasp about her waist and kissed her cheek.
 "You1l fergit me when yer get outen hyar, Alb" and the girls sobs shook her slender frame.
 Il won't nuther," said Alb stubbornly.
 "Yes, yer will, Alb l know yer too