The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-24

dent know. Then they'd have been
good and far from home in the snow
without supper like you and me, Boil
les. But after all my trouble, they've
gone back snug to the Preside. Well,
let us be as cosy as we can"
He built bright fire. and he whlstled
as he kicked the snow from his boots,
busying over the horses and blankets.
Take a rest" he said to Bolles "One
mans enough to do the work. BE with
you soon to share our littl, cottage"
Presently Bolles heard him reciting
confidentially to his horse. "'Twas
the night after Christmas, and all in
the house-only we are not all in the
house," He slapped the belly of his
horse, Tyree, who gambolled away to
the limit of his picket rope.
"Appreciating 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?"
1T has just come over me-" Bolles
continued. 1T was before you got In
the stage at Nampa. / was talking. l
told Uncle Pasco that | was glad no
whiskey was to be allowed on the
ranch. 1t all comes from my folly!"
"Why, you hungry old New England
conscience." cried the boy, clapping
him on the shoulder. How in the
world could you foresee the crooked
ness of that hoary Beelzebub?"
That's all very WELL" said Bolles,
miserably. You would never have
mentioned it yourself to him."
You and l, Bolles, are different, I
was raised on miscellaneous wicked
ness. A look at my side would make
you say your prayers.
The schoOlmaster smiled. "If l 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
a 19-year-old. I've hooked my claw
fairly deep here and there. AS for to-
day--why that's in the game, too. 1t
was their deal. Could they have won
it on their own play? A joker dropped
into their hand, It's my deal now, and
/ have some tokers myself. Go to sleep,
Bolles. We've a ride ahead of US.
The boy rolled in his blanket, skill
fully. Bolles heard him say once OF
twice in a sort of judicial conversation
with the blanket, land all in the house
put we are not all in the house. Not
all. Not a full house" His tones
drowsed comfortably into murmur, and
then to quiet breathing. Bolles fed the
fire, matched the unneeded wind-breaE
| (for the calm, dry night was breathless,
nd a uyh a
| and a tuft of the sleeping Boys hair.
"If he is blamed" said the school.
| master, "Tll never forgive myself. II
| never forgive myself, anyhow"
A paternal, or rather maternal, ex
preston came over Bolles face, and III
removed his large serious glasses. IL,
did not sleep very well.
The boy did. I'm feeling like {
bird" said he, as they crossed through
the mountains next morning on a shor
cut to the Owyhee. Breakfast viii
brace you up, Bolles. There'n be
cabin pretty soon after we strike tn,
river road. Keep thinking about cof
fee"
"I wish | could" said poor Bolles.
He was forgiving himself less ant
less. Their start had been very early
] as l'ioh' blu AIlt SNllpbllllAslOi bbNNi w
to have nothing to detain you, nothing
to cat and nothing to pack, is a gain II
Journeys of haste. The warming day
and Indian Creek well behind them
brought Drake to whistling again, bu
depression sat upon the salf-accusini
Bolles. Even when they sighted tn
Owyhee road below them no cheerful
ness walked in him; not at the nearin!
Of OF -
tingle of sleighbells dancing family up
ward through the bright. silent air
"Why, II it 'ain't Uncle Pasco!" sal
Drake. peerlng down through a gap Il
the foothills. "Well get breakfas
sooner than l expected. Quick. Civ
me Baby Bunting!"
"Are you going to kill him?" whis
pered the schoclmaster, with n beam