Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1894-02-24
CASTLE CLIFF.

ably in the tall, yellow grass-"l
wonder what city is like. Streets
crowded with carts and wagons, l
suppose; shops and fine buildings,
and hundreds Of well-dreSsed people.
All" he drew a dep breath. and his
eyes, fixed upon the misty peaks of
the far-off hills, glowed with the
light OF an intense longing-'if only
! could 60 to a city and do some
thing and he something. L would
WORK night and day; and pretty soon
Heber Trent would be heard of, 1
can tell you. If anybody should say
to me, 'Heber my bow, what do you
want most?' l should answer, Just a
chance that's all"
He raised himself upon his elbow,
and look Of sadness darkened his
eager face as he gazed over the rugged
and deSOlate country. Not a dwell
ing was visible from where he lay,
not even a cult ated field. 1t was
wild mountain region, sparsely in
habitcd by poor, ignorant people,
for the most part occupying rough,
I'D painted cottages, and winning ]
Scanty subsistence by cutting wood
in the vast pine forests, and carting
or sledgiDg it to the railroad in the
valley, many miles distant.
Heber, a sturdy boy OF fifteen, had
already hewn and sold many a cord
of tim Der; this, with the vegeta Oles
he raised in toe garden patch about
the cottage, had sutficed for the
meagre wants Of himself and his old
aunt with whom he lived, both his
parents having died when he was
very young. He had never been to
schOol-there was no such thing as a
school within twenty miles; but hav-
ing secured few ole newspapers and
books, be had patiently taught him
self to read, and even-thOugh in a
very awkward fashion, it must be
confeSSed-to write.
Once, while at the railway station,
Heber had heard a travelling must
clan play the violin, and thencefor-
ward it had become the ambition OF
his life to buy an instrument aud
become a performer himself. He
had never possessed a penny of his
own. The trifle he earned for his
WOOD scarce sufficed for the expenses
Of the humble household. But dur
ing the past two or three weeks he had
devoted all his leisure hours togather-
ing nuts in the forest. which old Seth
Stone, the carter, kindly sold for him
at the station; so that he had already
a little hoard slowed away on the
rafter over his bed.
Anyway" said Heber. more hope
fully; 'even if / can't live in a city,
l shall buy violin as soon as l have
saved up enough"
His financial calculations were in
terruoted at this point by the tread
Of horse and the rattle of wheels
upon the road which had led across
the hill where he lay. The unusual
sound caused him to sit upright and
stare anna, edly at the approaching
vehicle. 1t was neat light wagon,
1rawn by handsome, spirited horse,
quite different from the clumsy
buck boards and lean, rawboned ami
mails W tn which the boy was tamil
ar. The occupants were gentleman,
Lad in gray tray cling suit and a
beautiful little girl in a trock of |
right colors, with a small blue cap
e Jauntily upon her long, ripping
elbow hair.
HeSer hoped the strangers would |
lass by without observing him; but
he wagon stopped opposite where
lie sat, and the gentleman beckoned
o him. With a feeling of shame for
lis patched and trayed oreralls and
oHgh, butternut Shirt the boy re-
arose and went to the side
# the wagon, pulling off his ragged
ap as the gentleman spoke to him.
How far is it to the nearest "a l.
Dad station?" he asked.
about twelve miles" answered
IebeT.
The gentleman gave a whistle of |
iiSmay. "And we have come nearly
hat diStancA already" he said. "Are
'ou tired, Nettie?"
Not Bit" replied the little girl,
making her head and smiling.
You see," explained the gentle |
nan, turning to Heber, 1--WE missed |
he only train that goes down to-day |
IN the other road, and as must get
n town tonight, we had to come
his way"
You will have plenty of time"
aid Heber; the road is pretty good,
Ind, you can't lose your way"
Il am very much obliged to you,"
aid the gentleman, and he put his |
land in his pocket
Heber drew back. 'srhank You,"
be suammered, blushing, ''but l
take pay just for that, you
InoW."
'.Will you tell me your name? said
,he little girl, as the gentleman gath
red up the reins He told her, and
,he next minute the wagon was NOV
ng swiftly away. The child looked
back, smiled, and waved her hand.
Goodbye, Heber Trent she
called, in her sweet young voice.
'GOod- bye, Miss Nettie," cried
Heber, waving his cap in response.
From the spot where the boy stood,
the road swept in curve along the