Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-07-17

TACK was a boy who had turned up Il from nobody knew how and no- body knew where. 1t was known from things he had dropped in conversation that he had come with q party across the plains and that in the course of the long, weary journey his mother had died It was guessed that his father must have cast off and for saken the boy as an undesirable bur den.
 All the summer he had been hanging about the different small ranches in the neighborhood, living as best he could by what he received for chores and odd jobs, and sleeping in sheds or beside a stack of sweet alfalfa hay. but in the lovely California climate Jack, happy in the light-heartedness of boyhood, thought it no hardship. Winter was approaching, however, with it's heavy rains and chilly nights.
 Ut was a bad job" said Martin one day, gazing at the slight foundation of his house. T hadn't ought to built so near the canyon. But the land was so good I thought I'd save all I could of it for the fruit trees. That comes of bein' too sasin"
 Never mind. , said his wife, "we're goin' to build better next spring
 'Yes. It's been a good year, and I'm no end thankful for it. But I must say I wish we'd got through the rains all safe. I guess me an Jaek'll bank up good bit this week
 The first rain had come-not a very long or cold one, as would be the case in the winter. Jack still slept in a shed and Mrs. Martin was troubled about it. but the tiny house seemed to afford no corner not already filled, so she was obliged to content herself with giving him such bedding as she could spare, and with Jacks laughing assurance: Its good enough for bet ter folks n me"
 As the leisure season was now on, Mir. Martin was glad to hear of gov ernment works going on some miles distant above him-a reservoir being with view to storing it for irrigation of the lower lying lands. In addition to the promise of security to his house, it gave opportunity for getting work, of which many of the poorer ranehers were glad to avail
 ''I'd rather like you to stay about while I'm gone, Jack, " he said. and the boys heart swelled with pride as he added: T want you to look after things I'm sure you'll do it good and faithful"
 Another long rain set in. Every day Jack banked up his good and faith ful" best, but, as the canyon slowly filled after the long summer drought. was each morning dismayed at the inroads made by the water
 Jack" said Mrs. Martin one morn ing, .I'm gettin' little uneasy at the way things looks"
 I'm feelin' that way myself agreed Jack, who had just come in with dis may in his heart from look at things outside.
 i've q great mind to go over to Neighbor Davidson's to ask if they won't let us stay with 'em for few days, till the next time Martin comes home. I hate to stay without him.
 Couldn't l go?n asked Jack.
 Well I'd rather ask it myself. But I don't quite know what to do about Kitty. It's too far to carry her-epen if you went to help me-
 Leave Kitty with me. She'll stay all right won't you, Kitty?n
 Kitty replied with crow and a spring into his outstretched arms.
 Thus encouraged. Mrs. Martin soou after breakfast took her departure, saying in anxious tones: Watch them banks well, Jack And l know you'll be real good and careful with Kitty. I'll be back early this even ing
 An hour later Jack wished with all his heart that Kitty was with her mother, as he went out to resume the constant work of banking up." At once he saw that a new condition of things had set in. The house near the canyon stood on kind of knoll, the ground on the land side of it sinking slightly. The water in the stream was higher than he had before seen it, and he now noted with alarm that at a short distance above the house some of it had left the IT ain channel, and, turning into the low, shifting sands,