Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-04-29
THE FATE OF
EVERETTE AUSTIN

"Whose place Is thisf" / inquired OF
a man who was digging q ditch nea,
the water trough.
He stopped his work, and looked u[
and pushed his sombrero on the bach
of his head, giving a sigh and passing
his hand across his brow. "It Is the
Circle-A ranch. 1t belongs to Everette
Austin. Can be of service to your
"E-eh-well, yes; at least the boss
can. I've lamed my horse, and as I'm
q small matter Of fifty miles from my
destination can't walk In this wealth.
sr."
ut Is rather warm" he assented.
"Slightly. Is Mr.. Austin In, or any.
where aroundr
Hes not in, but he's around. I'm
Mr.. Austin"
"Oh! indeed. Well, I am Mr.. Brani
William II. Brant-Mr Austin, and
must ask you if you can let me pu,
up my horse until Its foot Is rested
or until l find some way of getting to
Miles CityY'
Mr.. Austin stepped forward, lifted
the ragged somebrero, and put out his
Mr.. Brant l am sorry l can't call a
man to take your mount, but II you
will turn him over to me I'll stable
him and attend to the foot, and you
can go up to the house and ask Mrs.
Austin to make you comfortable. The
Ven are all off on the range"
"I'll go with you," answered, and
We set off to the barns.
They were beautifully kept, as few
but Englishmen keep their stables. and
l was glad that my weary steed should
be SO we'll installed. ! saw in a mo-
ment that my host was accustomed
to being his own veterinary surgeon.
1t puzzled me to reconcile the fact
of his manual labor and ragged work
ing clothes with his large possessions,
his perfectly appointed stable, and his
yet more perfect language, so unmis-
takably British. for I was new to
Montana and Its people; though not 4
tenderfoOt, by many years Of Arizona
experience.
The doctoring of my horse finished
Austin led the way to his hOuse-a
long. low, unpainted structure, set up
a foot or so from the ground on posts.
There was a wretched attempt at a
bed of flowers near the door, but the
sun and wind gave it small chance
of success. \ few stunted petunias,
q struggling line of mignonette, and
several bushes of sapless red and pink
geraniums were all that rewarded evil
dently patient care. My host was not
communicative, nor did he expect me
TO be So. | started to give him a ref
erence, but he cut me off by changing
the subject. In a moment more we
had gone up the steps and stood on
the porch, which boasted of neither
roof nor railing. Austin handed me a
feather duster, and We brushed the
white dust from our boots. Then we
went in.
"Sit down and L will announce you
TO Mrs. AUSTIN he said, with no ap-
parent perception of the incongruity
of the language and his attire 1t was
a tidy little drawing l did my
host the honor of calling 1t all through
my visit-with some well-chosen col.
ored prints from English papers on
the rough board wall, clean white
curtains, a few cane chairs, and q
box covered with cretonne, which
served as divan.. There were nc
new books or papers, but the old and
much used ones were Of the best.
There was a pot of wandering Jew
in the huge fireplace, which made q
very pretty effect
was just looking at my trnvei.
stained countenance In a small mirror
when a door opened, and Austin.
holding 1t back, stood aside to admit
bis wife.
I'VE are very glad to see you. Mr.
Brant," she said, with the most delight
full of well-bred English accents. "Mr
Austin told me OF your accident. 1 am
sorry for the horse, Of course, and
for you II you had need to make
looked upon as a misfortune"
your husband has treated the poor
animal SO skillfully that 1 fancy
may promise not to encroach upon
your hospitality very long"
please put aside the Idea that you
are not, or may not be. welcome. We
are most happy to have you"
Now, Brant," said my entertainer
"Mrs Austin will give you your room.
We cannot do much for you, but there
is plenty of water. both hot and cold
and that will not be amiss, rs l know