Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-06-23
CHAPTER I.

W Throw Few more logs lntO
the stove, will you? Cold out
doors
"Cold? l suppose so e.; thermom-
eter 40 below, but I'm blest if I feel
it much. Your mountain is wonder
full to me. Been living en- il ever
since | came west"
Oh, we soon get used to it, and
then our only wonder is how we ev-
err consented to live where the deadly
! damp and chill is like chronic ague.
No more of it for me. The valley
states have their good features, Of
course-orchards and corn fields and
all that-good to look at when there
are no mountains in sight but of
what use would they be here !? Plen-
ty of fruit to be had if you want Il.
Cad, how / used to work wien |
WAS kid Wading through the
black soil of Illinois, dropping corn
as soon as 1 had shed my dresses :;
then covered and hoed and plowed
and husked until I got disguised,
cut the whole business and lit out.
Wasn't cut out for a king Of the
soil, eh ?"
King of nothing If a boy wants
taste of Inferno let him live on a
farm and have Dutchman for a
father.
Granted ; but perhaps you in
herited from your good German an
cestors the artistic talent which en-.
abled you to get on so well after you
did cut and rum
Well, may be SO. At any rate I
have no quarrel with the old man
now. He likes his farm and his fat
cattle-I like my den here in the
mountains, and my paint and brush
es. So here | mean to stay. Pile
on some more pine, Jim. tell you,
you might freeze to death and never
know it.
=" Smooth way to pass over the
range to Paradise, But 1 say, Gus,
don't you ever eat here? | am as
hungry as bear"
Eat? Open that oven door AMI
take Whit. That is the finest roast
of venison in Montana, and ranch
potatoes which are a poem. Nearly
done, old man. Here, let me set the
table: Two plates, two knives, two
glasses, and there you are-or would
you like some coffee ? Have itready
in three Minutes. Talk about the
refnements of civilization l sup.
pose you newspaper fellows have to
have printed program with your
grub, napkin and a silver fork and
all that sort Of trumpery but as for
me, give me liberty,or give me death.
Supper is ready. Better keep your
hat on.
AN right, that doesn't bother
me any but say, Gus, give me that
story. That is what | am here for,
and l have just got two hours to get
back to Helena"
You're going to stay all night or
no story. l don't have visitor oft
en-, I can tell you, and you don't give
me the cold shake. Stay till morn
ing get good snooze once in your
life-you look as if you needed it
and | will see You over the range IN
time to catch the $50 train. Is it a
go?
" Well, / guess SO. l ought to be
in Denver in thirty-six hours, but
viii trump up re lie to satisfy Tie
manaser if am to late for the Sun.
day issue. BY the way, Gus, wha,
a happy life yours is. Sleep as long
as you please, dress as you please
eat when you are hungry and work
when the fit comes on. Happy
man !"
That's all right, Jim-for me. Yor
would loathe yourself in a week, il
you should try it. Don't quarre
with your destiny. You are a mar
of action-your place is in the world
/ am dreamer, a mixer of paint.
and-a failure.
"A failure, are you? If 70,
could hear the comments on you
picture and the stir it has made il
Denver you would sing another tun