Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-24
BATTLES OF A BOY.

uuS Oub UT Ill6 sOiIu edfb1.
 The only occupants oi this cheerless place, which ono would be loath to call a home, were widow and her son. The joy hand of death had already begun to carcss tho mothor. Tho sharp, dry cough that racked her shadowy form told too plainly tho story of her suffering g
 Tho sunset light was still Illuminating tho western sky and shedding it's brilliant reflection on the waters of tho Missouri as John Millar walked slowly across the prairie toward tho blun whoro his Inoth- CTS house c'ung to tho dark soil like gray lichen to Q rock. The sight that met his eyes was one that would have discouraged a strong man. The fall wind had b.own the dried leaves from tho cottonwood trees hither and thithor; the tumbleweeds rolled over and over, chasing each other In end less journeys back and forth across the lonesome stretch of land. A few half 1cdged chickens had already gone to roost on tho wood pile near the door. On a line stretched between two posts hung few patched garments Tapping in the wind.
 John was 16 years old Since he could remember everything had looked as it looked now Ho could not recall time when his mother had not coughed or when the house had not looked as if family had just moved out His father had gone west with his wifo and baby when John was less than year old, and tho house that stood on tho side hill now was the ono that hardy Jacob Millar had built with his own hands-built, hoping and expecting that before five years were over ho would own Q thriving, well equipped farm. A half broken colt that he was rid ing to the village plunged, roared and threw him to tho ground, then bounded riderloss across the trackless prairie.
 When they found Jacob Millar, he was dead, and tho frail woman who had come to share her husband $ lot in this distant land had no choice but to remain. Their original claim was rented to ncighbors, and the little income thcrefrom kept the mother and child from absolute starva- ton.
 Since Johns eighth birthday ho had at tended the village school, and now as he was walking slowly home he was thinking over and over the words that had just been said to him by tho h cad of an engineering party that was surveying railroad through tho country md whose work he had stopped to watch. The opportunity he had 1onged for had come. Ho need not spend his life in thnt miserable dugout. There was broader field opening before him. Ho could have work with the sur veyors Four of their men were down with chills, and they needed help. He could leave this cheerless scene. He could be a part of tho great human pulse which he felt heating against the arteries of the world, and which he now thought himself to Do separated from.
 Why did he walk so slowly Why was his head bent on his breast, his step like the stop of one oppressed by tho weight of yearsp It was tho vision before his mind of thin, wan face, of m omaciated body, of two large brown eyes dulled by suffer ing, of bent shoulders and laDgu,d step. Could he leave herr Leave her alone in that desolate place while he went out alone to earn money to buy her luxuries that would make her life more comfortable2 Was that why he wished to accept the en- gineer's offer and leave this scene behind himp Was 1t for her, or was it that he was hungry for tho world which ho had never seen, but which he knew existedp
 As he walked toward the house the door opened, and a thin little figure moved out into the sunset light Shc lifted her hand to shado her eyes and looked anxiously at him as he approached.
 John did not have it in his heart to tell her what was on his mind, but with woman's intuition and a mothers quick perception she read instantly that some thing unusual had occurred. With the tact of her sox she said nothing of what the boys face so plainly told her, and to- gether they entered their home.
 Mrs. Millar made an effort toward pre- pairing supper, but paroxysm of cough ing seized her, and she was obliged to lie down. The boy took a candle and disap- pearcd into tho cellar, returning with the potatoes and bacon which served for their evening meal.
 Scarcely word was spoken. Should he tell her? Could he leavo herf What would she sayP He had never been more than ten miles from the village. The thought that this was the opportunity of his life made every fiber of his being vi brate with tho intensity of his desire to go. Night camo on, and he climbed tho ladder and threw himself, dressed as he was, upon his straw mattress and with wido open eyes that saw nothing of his surroundings ho turned tho question over and over in his mind. Ambition, desire, curiosity, lovo of adventure, all said go. Love for tho frail little woman who lay tossing restlessly on her bod in the room of two being wretchod here? If he were gono, tho little money would go further for her. But then came tho other thought -she was his mother, and he loved her and with tear that his manliness strove to hide even from himself ho resolved that come what might his lot should be cast with hers.
 One who has not seen a prairie fire can form no conception of it; but, on tho oth CT hand, having seen one the memory can never Do cfIaced.
 John Millar started in his sleep; he opened his eyes in alarm. Was tho sun set light still lingering in tho heavensP Indeed, mo- The situation flashed on him instantly, and hastily descending to the door he saw that the demon of the prairie no,a,ixacx xxith licxht traiI,1x cxaaa1i