The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-03
A BOYS BATTLES.

The mouse SCOOQ on Gno s1Qe OF q hlll,
and the front steps made an abrupt descent
down the incline toward the distant river,
while the back door opened into cellar
dug out of the solid earth.
The only occupants of t;-1s cherries
place, which one would be loath to call a
home, were a widow and her son. The
icy hand of death had already begun to ca
ress the mother. The sharp, dry cough
that racked her shadowy form told too
plainly the story of her suffering.
The sunset light was still Illuminating
the western sky and shedding it's brilliant
reflection on the waters of the Missouri as
John Millar walked slowly across the prai-
RE toward the bluff where his mothers
house clung to the dark soil like gray lichen
TO a rock. The sight that met his eyes was
one that would have discouraged strong
man. The fall wind had blown the dried
leaves from the cottonwood trees hither
and thither. The tumbieweeds rolled over
and over, chasing each other in endless
journeys back and forth across the lone
some stretch OF land. A few half fedged
chickens had already gone to roost on the
wood pile near the door. On a line stretched
between two posts hung few patched gar
ments tapping in the wind.
John was 16 years old. Since he could
remember everything had looked as it
looked now. He could not recall time
when hiA mother had not cOughed or when
the house had not looked as if a family
had just moved out. His father had gone
west with his wife and baby when John
was less than a year old, and the house
that stood on the side hill now was the one
that hardy Jacob Millar had built with his
own hands-built, hoping and expecting
that before five years were over he would
own a thriving, well equipped farm. A
half broken colt that he was riding to the
nd &f,
the ground, then bounded riderless across
the trackless prairie.
When they found Jacob Millar, he was
dead, and the frail woman who had come
to share her husbands s lot in this distant
land had no choice but to remain. Their
original claim was rented to neighbors,
and the little income therefrOm kept the
mother and child from absolute starvation.
Since Johns eighth birthday he 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 the head of an engineering
party that was surveying a railroad
through the country, and whose work he
had stopped to watch. The opportunity he
had longed for had come. He need not
spend his life in that miserable dugout.
There was broader field opening before
him. He 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 part of the great human pulse which
he felt beating against the arteries of the
world, and which he now thought himself
to be separated from.
Why did he walk so slowly Why was
his head bent on his breast his step like
the step of one oppressed by the weight of
years? 1t was the vision before his mind
of a thin, wan faoe, of an emaciated body,
7f led
ing, of bent shoulders and a languid step.
Could he leave her? 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 comfortable?
Was that why he wished to accept the en-
gineer's offer and leave this scene behind
him2 Was it for her, or was it that he was
hungry for the world which he had never
seen, but which he knew existed?
AS he walked toward the house the door
opened and thin little figure moved out
into the sunset light. She lifted her hand
to shade 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 q wo-
mans intuition and mothers quick per-
ception she read instantly that something
unusual had occurred With the tact of
her sex she said nothing of what the boys
face so plainly told her, and together they
entered their home.
Mrs. Millar made an effort toward pre-
pairing supper, but a paroxysm of coughing
seized her, and she was obliged to lie
down. The boy took candle and disap-
peared into the cellar, returning with the
potatoes and bacon which served for their
evening meal
Scarcely a word was spoken. Should
he tell herY Could he leave her? What
would she sayP He had never been more
%hor fba vi IA
thought that this was the opportunity of
his life made every fiber of his being vi
brate with the intensity of his desire to
go. Night came on, and he climbed the
ladder and threw himself, dressed as he
was, upon his straw mattress and with
wide open eyes that saw nothing OF his
surroundings he turned the question over
and over in his mind. Ambition, desire,
curiosity, love of adventure, all said go
Love for the frail little woman who lay
tossing restlessly on her bed in the room
below held him back. What was the use
Of two being wretched here? If he were
gone, the little money would go further
for her. But then came the other thought
she was his mother, and he loved her
and with tear that his nanliness strove
to hide even from himself he 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 the other
hand, having seen one the memory can
never be effaced.
John Millar started in his sleep. He
opened his eyes in alarm. Was the sunset
light still lingering in the heavens? In
deed no. The situation flashed on him in
stantly, and hastily descending to the door
he saw that the demon of the prairie was
coming on with lightning speed. There
was safety in the river. Could they reach
it? In another moment he had caught his
mother in his arms and bareheadcd he
rushed out into the night. He could hear
the roar of the oncoming, all devouring
fury. The burden in his arms, light as it