The National tribune., 1892-06-16

N
-E|< NJ AWAY into the blank
ness If there were any
sounds at all in the air. they came from THESE
wires But they must have been mere Whisper
ings for the man who lay awake under thein
heard them not
The man was frightfully, STRANGELY awake
But by his side, and under the same oianket'
lay another man who was sound asleep
It is best for supersensitive man to sleep,
and sleep soundly, if he mist needs lie out In
the desert under the stars. 1t is an awlol
thing for such one to be cursed by sleepless-
ness at such time aid in such place.
The horrible stiffness, the dumhaess of nature
weighed upon the wakeful man, who lay there
upon his back, looking up at the myriad eyes
that peeped through the dark roof of the world.
He felt the oppressiveness of it ali as kecnly as
he felt the numbing of the chill night air.
He turned on his unyielding bed of sand,
and heard the crackle of sage-twig under his
body. A pistolshot would have sounded no
louder to his overwrougbt ear. Why did the
sound not awaken the sleeper by his sideF III
only be would awake or even turn. But, poor,
tired man, he had tramped many long mile
over the burning plain, through alkal aust,
and by sage and cactus wastes. Let hlm sleep.
The sleepless one raised his hand to his face,
on which the skin was tightly drawn. How
hot the unwinking eye of heaven had blazed
upon him through the day. 1t seemed TO have
God If had but one glass of rum-one
glass;" he groaned, half aloud.
And then he went over his life, and made
himself to see clearly why he had become so
dependent upon fiery fluid for his peace OF
mind. 1t was the tlirst-tbe cursed thirst
that had built itself up within him out of the
very elements with which he had thought TO
sppease it. And the consequences of that thirst!
His mind ran back to his home. How she
must hate him-that patient wife, who had
borne with him SO long! Did she? Was it
hate that blazed from her eyes when they had
that final quarrel and he had left her, never
TO return? He could not bring himself to
think that 1t was He was so frghtfully
alone-so much in need of being in some ones
kindly thoughts that
The man at his side did turn at last. But he
settled down at once to peaceful slumbcr. he
had not awakened. If he only would awake,
his CHEEKY Irish banter would make the night
less hideous for time, Perhaps but let him
sleep. he should not trespass on his good ma
ture by arousing him. Although only the ac-
euaintance of a day, he had, in his genial Celtic
way, been more than kind. He had given
most unworthy and undeserving man food
from his slim store, and now he was sharing
with him his poor, thin blanket. An unworthy
man-yes, most unworthy. Had he not left
his wife to shift for herself? Had he not
wholly deserted her? Yes; but she no longer
loved him. He bad been such a drag upon
her-such burden. She was better off with
out him-fsr better. The inmoving tide Of this
heavy thought bore down-npon him more than
all the oppressiveness Of the night silence on
the desert, more than that fearful thirst 1t
was better that she should live without him
far better. He was unworthy. How cut off ne
seemed from the whole world. The little
warmth lie felt from the mans body, lying by
his own, made its impress on his mind. In
spite Of all his desire for independence when
he had started of on that wild journey, with
only few coins in his pocket, his hot asser-
ton that be could go his way without refer
ence to others seemed Row TO have been part
of his old weakness of character. Even the
strongest must lean upon some one. None
could go their way wholly alone. How inter
dependent was the whole race Of man.
And she had leaned on him. Perhaps she
did still, in way. For might she not be look
ing for him TO come back? 1t was not likely
that she even dreamed be was LOCO miles away.
What were 1000 miles, after all? He had not
been long in passing them over. 1t would not
take long TO retrace them.
With these thoughts tingling in his brain, he
could no longer lie there. lie must be up and
IN motion.
So he arose and lamely made his way to the
railroad track. leaving his friend OF day TO
sleep it out alone. He stepped between the
rails and halted there facing the telegraph pole.
out wife or home; to the left, the way led back
to her.
a. have almost killed her by my reckless
ness" he thought; why should 20 back TO
complete the job?"
He glanced over his right shoulder.
But that may mean the same thing. She is
alone and helpless. Still. to 20 back-God Z"
he sobbed; why can't be q man."
his eyes sought the stars.
Yes; / can be-"
lie took of his hat and raised high his hand.
Then he spoke, while yet looking up, and the
still night air b card his words:
:" swear that hereafter / will hold my de-
sire for drink in check, and that / will strive
10 make myself worthy Of the good woman
who bears my name. So help me God.
Amen"
Then down the back track he strobe ferccly
clenching his hands as he swung them at his
sides.
Two hours later he stepped upon the platform
Of the station nc T0ano. There be stopped to
rest. 1t was still dark. and no one was about
70 look at him suspiciously as upon tramp
aud 10 tell him 20 be OF.
From a small building across the way lights
were shining. Through the open doorway he
saw men sitting abouta stove. He heard their
loud jokes and hearty laughs. How warm AID
comfortable they seemed, and be was bitterly
cold. He went nearer TO the place. as he ap-
tfDaEift4 il lIaI Cello AKA $1,000 IN Tie CgDE-
way. Strange 10 Say, this man greeted him
with cordial Hello, pardnerl"
lie made some sort o:relly IN shaky voice.
for BE tecth were chattcring.
'Trampin' to 'FriscoY"
"Yesp
Nal, it's good walkin, amt tp"
Oh, yes" Why should his teeth chatter
cor
Say, now, pardner, ] kin tell you sutbin'
that beats walkin' al to pieces"
WHAT is it?"
"Why, bout half a mile up the railroad
there's heavy grade on a curve. When the
emigrant-train goes up there she don't go fast
not much Eastern horse and wagon You kin
jump on without much trouble or without any
of the trsin-hands noticin' you. as they would
ct a station, and you kin go into keer and
sleep Ill the rest Of the night. When you wake
mp in the morning you'll be at Mesila, rs miles
from here. That's two big days journey for a
man traveiin' afoot"
il was worth trying
"When will the train be alongtn
g. In bout an hour"
"Thank you"
Say" and tie voice grew kindly, "ain I
You pretty blame cold2 Come inside awhile
and warm mp"
de followed the man iuto the house There
Children Cry f0s