Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-17

PART l.
The train which brought young Ramsey |
into Red Rock arrived about o'clock of a
dark day. The next morning he confided
to the landlord hiss plan of finding a fore
mans position on a stock farm.
well, 1 dunno; there such places |
but they're always snapped up fore you
can say Jack Robinson"
"Well, I'm gonss to- give it a good try"
the young fellow said bravely.
That's right. If was you I'd go out
and see some of those reel estate fellers;
they most always know what's going on"
That's a good idea, much obliged. I'll
tackle em at once"
The next forenoon he made his first at
tempt. He had determined on his speech,
and he went into the first Office with his
song on his lips. a.
Pm looking for place on dairy farm;
I've had five. years. practical experience,
and am graduate Of - Agricultural
College. I'm after the position of book
keeper and foreman"
The man looked at him grayely. you're
aiming pretty high. young Teller, for this
country. There are plenty of chances to
work. punching CATTLE but I don't think
chances are good for foreman's place"
He was kindly man. and repented when
he saw how young Ramsey's face fell.
However, III give you some names of
people to hire"
Following these clews Ramsey made long
walks into the country, toling from ranch
to ranch over the dun-colored. lonely hills.
He was returning late one afternoon from
one of these fruitless journeys. 1t was one
of those strange days that come in all sea-
sons at that attitude. The air was full Of
suspended mist-it did not rain, the road
was almost dry under foot-and yet this all
pervasive moisture seemed soaking every
thing 1t was cloud, for this whole land
was mountain top.
He sat down upon little hummock to
rest, for his feet ached with the long
stretches of billy road. The larks cried to
him out of the mist with their piercing
sweet notes. cheerful and undaunted ever.
There was sudden lighting UP of the day.
as If the lark's song had shot the mist with
silver light
AS he rose and started on with painful
slowness. he heard the sound Of horses
hoofs behind him. and man in a yellow
cart came out of the gray obscurity
Arthur stepped aside to let him pass. but
he could not help limping little more
markedly as the man looked at him. The
man seemed to understand
"Will you ride?" he asked.
Arthur glanced at him and nodded with
out speaking. The stranger was a fine
looking man, with a military cut of beard
getting gray. His face was rudy and
smiling. ~.
said. as he settled into the seat II guess
I'll have to own up, I'm about played out"
Il thought you looked footsore. I'm
enough of western man to feel mean
when pass man on the road. A foot
man can get very tired on these stretches
of ours"
1--WE tramped about forty miles today,
| | guess. LIN trying to find some. work to
| do he added in desperate confidence.
rs that SO? What kind of work."
We'll, wanted to get place as fore
man on a ranch.
I'm afraid that's too much to expect"
Arthur sighed. Eyes, 1 suppose it is.
If I'd known as much two weeks ago as 1
do now, l wouldn't he here"
n, aoh Of don't ont get seouraged there's
| thing to do on my ranch
| We'll, I've come to the conclusion that
| there is nothing here for me but the place
of common hand, so if you can give me
| anything" -t
! "Oh, yes; 1 can give you something TO
| do in my garden. Perhaps something bet
| ter will open up later. Where are you
| staying?' he asked, as they neared town.
down to his hotel. I'D like to have you
call at my office TOMORROW morning. my
partner does mostlof the hiring. I've been
living in Denver. Here's my card
| After he had driven away the listening
| landlord broke forth: You're in luck
| you're fixed '@
| wv no is ne, anyhow!
| "Who is he? Why he owns all the land
up the creek. and has banks all over
| Colorado" a.!
| us that so?" Arthur was delighted
| OF course it was only common hands
/ place, but here was the vista he had looked
| for-here was the chance!
| When he entered the office next day
| however, the major merely nodded at him
| over the railing and said: Take a seat
| please" 1921
He seemed deeply engaged with tai
| young man of about thirty-live years OF
| age, with a rugged, smooth-shaven face
| The young man spoke with a markell Eng
| lish accent and there was a quality in his
manner of speech which appealed very
| strongly to Arthur.
| "Confeonnd the fellow" he was saying
1--WE discharged him. I cawn't re-ensags
| him, We kneow! We cawn't have a mar
abeout who gets drunk, y kneow-it':
| bloody provoking, majah."
But the poor fellows family, Saulis
| bury"
ooh, hang the fellows family" laughed
| Salisbury. 1--WE are not a poor house
| " kneow-or house for inebriates.''
| The major laughed WELL 1 can't turf
Jackson off even for YOU
Well deon't do it, then-only If he get:
drunk agine and drops a match into th'