The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-24


obstinately to his chase than sober
ruffians would have attempted. Ten
reid dark miles across the hills il took
TO cure them; but when their snoutings,
that had followed over heights where
the pines grew and down through the
open swales between, dropped off and
died finally away among the willows
along the south fork of the Malheur.
Drake reined in mis- horse with jerk.
'Now isn't that too bad!" he ex-
claimed.
ut is all very bad" said Bolles, sorry
to hear the boys tone Of disappont-
meat.
81 didn't think they'd fool me again."
continued Drake, jumping down.
"Again?" inquired the interested Boil
les.
"Why, they've gone home!" said the
boy in disgust.
II was hoping So" said the school
master.
Hoping? Why il is sad. Bolles. Four
miles further and I'd have had them
lost"
"Oh!" said Bolles.
Il wanted them to keep after u.s."
complained Drake. "Soon as we had
good lead / coaxed them. Coaxed them
along on purpose by trail they knew,
and four miles from here I'd have swung
south into the mountains they don't
know. Then they'd have been good aud
far from home in the snow without sap
per, like you and me, Bolles. But after
all my trouble, they've gone back snug
to the fireside. Well, let us be as cosy
tss we can"
He built bright fire. and he whistled
as he kicked the snow from his boots.
bhsying over the horses and blankets.
"Take rest" he said to Bolles. Zone
mans enough to do the work. BE with
you soon TO share osr little cottage"
Presently Bolles heard him rcciting
confidentally TO his horse: Twas
the night after Christmas, and all in the
house-onlywe are not all in the house!"
He slapped the belly of his horse. Tyree.
who gambolled away to the limit of his
picket rope.
Approaching the moon, Bolles?"
said he, returning at length to the fire.
What are you so gazeful about, ia
ther?"
This is all my own DOING" said the
schoolmaster.
What. the moon is?"
ut has just come over me-" Bolles
continued. 1T was before you got in
the stage at Nampa. i was talking. !
told Uncle Pasco that i was glad no
whisky was to be allowed on the ranch.
1t all comes from my folly!"
why, you hungry old New England
cried the boy. clapping
him on the shoulder. slow in the world
could you foresee the crookedness of
that hoary Beelzebub?"
That's all very WELL" said Bolles,
"You would never have
mentioned it yourself to him"
"You and i. Bolles, are different. i
was raised on miscellaneous wicked !
ness. A look at my inside would make |
you say your prayers"
The schoolmaster smiled. "If I said |
any prayers" he replied, "you would be
in them"
Drake looked moodily at the fire.
"The Lord helps those who help them
selves" said he. I've prospered. For
n nineteen-year-old I've hooked my |
claw fairly deep here and there. As for
to-day-why that's in the game. too.
IL was their deal. Could they have won
II on their own play? A Joker dropped
fhAfr ., 4
have some jokers myself. Go TO sleep,
Bolles. We've ride ahead of us"
The boy rolled in his blanket. skill
fully. Bolles heard him say once or
twice in sort of judicial conversation
with the blanket. "and all in the house
but we are not all in the house. Not
all. Not full house" His tones
drowsed comfortably into murmur, and
then TO quiet breathing. Dolles fed the
fire. thatched the unneeded wind-breal,
(for the calm. dry night was breathlcss)
and for long while watched the moon
ar-d tuft of the sleeping boys hair.
"If he is blamed" said the school
master. "I'll never forgive myself I'll
never forgive myself. anyhow"
A paternal, or rather maternal. ex-
precision came over Bolles' face. md ne
his large serious glasses. lie
did not sleep very wen.
The boy did I'm feeling like a
bird" said he. os they crossed through
the mountains next morning ON q short
cut 10 the Owyhce. breakfast will
brace you up. Bellies. There'n he n
cabin pretty soon after we strike the
river road. Keep thinking about COT
fee"
II wish could" said poor Bolles.
lie was forVivipg bimself less and less.