Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-10

White mountaina Tho rough boar
cafes and cottages and tho general para
phernsha Of camping ground seemed ,
blmish On the beauty Of the surround
ing forests and Of the broad, smooth
lake stretching away between the hill
and islands as far ~ the eye could
reach. But be soon left they behind,
and though the road was hot and dusty
1t was great relief from the jolting d
the cars and tho obnoxious crowd. Alec
wss fond Of walking. and be swung
along in an easy stride, perhaps trying
to get away from the depressing sense
Of loneliness which he felt coming over
him.
he felt much like q man who has put
out to sea in rowboat. He had left the
world behind, and had only a "a bill
between him and starvation. To be sure
be might send to bis father, but be
thought between bis teeth that he would
indeed starve before he would do that.
he thought Of getting work on q farm.
but be vaguely realized bis own inoom.
petence and physical weakness BE was
an athlete In college, but athletic
strength does not seem 10 help farmer
much. Still II 1t were work or starve,
no doubt be would manage In some way
to work.
When be bad walked about five miles
along road now shut In by tall pines
and elms and chestnuts, now open 10
the pouring heat of the sun, and with
only occasional refreshing glimpses Of
the lake whose western border be was
skirting. ALEC suddenly came with de-
light upon q cool looking little spring
beside the road, that came out In a
small cold pool At the foot Of q big pine
tree, and then fell about IS inches In q
miniature cascade over a projecting
stone, and ran Oh down the side Of the
road to a little brook beyond. He threw
himself on the soft, thick bed Of pine
needles. thoroughly tired out, and beld
biz cup under the cascade till II was
filled with water. which DO drank at q
single draft. It Yves cool and sweet
and 30 refreshing. After waiting few
minutes to rest be took ont bis remain. |
Ing biscuit and cold meat and ate them,
and winding bis blanket about him lay |
down for nap on the pine needles.
Pretty soon q robin came down and
stood BY the spring n II II were con-
templating the possibility Of taking a
drink. II stood solsmnly upright for a
few moments, as II listening profound
y for any possible danger. and seemed
to eye Alec with q questioning look.
Then be took a quick little sip Of the
water just where II fell over the edge Of
the stone, and suddenly hoped quite
into the pool and splashed himself all
over with the water, shaking bis fsath-
err and fiuttering bis wings, and rolled
around in the little earthly basin till it
was all muddy. Then the bird hoped
ont and shook himself and stood for
some time pluming bis feathers.
A striped squirrel came out on a
branch directly above his head, and, SIT
ting upright on it, swaying seat 80 that
Alec could barely see Its breast and fore
feet and NOSE, 1t began to crack a nut
and drop down pieces Of the shell. 1t
was a butternut from last year, apd was
rather tough nut TO crack apparently,
and finally the squirrel lost it's grip and
the nut came tumbling down almost
On to Alec's face.
he did not know how tired be was
until be had stopped thinking about bis
iif1culties and had lost himself In the
baby playings Of the things In the
woods. But now be discovered that bis
back ached, his feet were sore, and his
brain too weary even to try to think
my more.
The sun was going down and be did
not know where be would sleep that
tight or where be could get anything
more to eat. He was hungry, for bis
,uit and cold meat are not altogether
Iatisfying to one who has lived under
10 good cook as Mr.. Howe employed.
Alec hastily folded up bis blanket and
put 1t in his bag, and after taking lit
lie drink Of water from the spring set
nut hurriedly along the road.
ITO BE CONTINUED