The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-11-30
AN INCIDENT OF
PRAIRIE LIFE.
R~R%@@cHA~AA%A~ANA~aAa~.4S

=.
bor ,.io,,, r,oro +1,o,, a.,
+ 1o,dsa,,,o !. - U'''eU
- s'en.eu 70 uiii an fehAem-
Oi"HVe VI Tue lonS uaSS Oh perfect wealth
er "heh the pralrle seemed an Eden
and strength and hope grew large with
the fresh, bracing air.
Some one came in with a heavy,
weary step and stopped moment ON the
threshold to look at the dropping figure.
Then he approached her with awkward
tenderness, laying his toll roughened
hand on her shoulder.
whats the matter, Sarah?" he said
softly.
There was a smothercd WEAKNESS in
the tones, but her ears seemed deaf that
morning to anything but the winds
piercing voice. Half unconsciously She
drew little away from his hand
Its everything" she said, tevery-
thing. Why did we ever come here, to
such wretchedneSs as this?"
He did not attempt another caress,
except with his anxious eyes. and her
face was turned away from them, hid
den in her hands
She would have called after him and
cluug to him if She could have seen the
look on his face as he went out-all the
patience and WEAKNESS of ii.
In Just Il few minutes he was back at
her side.
Sarah" he said rather anXiously,
"what would you say TO letting two peo-
pie come in for a little rest? They've
stopped the wagon Just a little way from
here. She seems a childish young thing.
and he looks rs if the world had been
too much for him. he's so thin and sick
ly looking. What do you say to bring
ing them in?"
"Oh, John, how can we. when it's so
hard to keep up as it is? But go ask
them in. If we can make it Il little
easier for them, we ought to, | suppose"
you come with me-" coaxed John.
"Go get your hat and wen ask them
together"
She gave slight protesting laugh,
but went nevertheless. clinging to his
arm and almost resting her face some
times on his shoulder.
They were very near the travellers now.
The tired horses, with detected down
bent heads, were snatching what little
rest they could. In the covered wagon
sat the man and woman-such Il hollow
checked, large eyed man and such lit
tie slip of wife. The hot wind Tapped
the canvas cover and sent swirls of dust
over the two occupants and their scanty
possessions.
Some of the self pity that had dark
ened Sarah's face all the morning faded
out of it ana was replaced by a purer,
nobIer look
You must be tired out" Sarah be-
gan without preamble. I'VE want you
to come up to the house for little rest
and to have dinner with us. Won't
you?"
A pleased smile breaking over the
young wife's face seemed almost to fade
out the little worried line between the
dark eyes. An answering CLEAN stole
over the worn face at her side, but they
both protested family. They couldn't
give so much trouble 1t would not be
right.
You come right alongw said John,
with kindly authority I'VE want you,
so don't make any fuss about it. Wen
take the horses into my barn. Let 'em
try my feed and a good bucket of my
well water"
The two men went off together, Sarah
and the little wife beating their way
back to the sod house. A look of cheer
and comfort seemed to be in its brown
walls now. How good it will seem
to rest in a house" said the little wife,
with 4 happy sigh.
''Woudn't you like to lie down lit
tie while till dinner is ready?" said
Sarah. Como right into my room, and
just feel that you are at home" \ pro-
tecting kindness had sprung up in her
heart for this little creature with the
appcaling eyes You must be so hot
and uncomfortable! There's cold water
in that pitcher, and I'll bring you some
warm. No, it isn't a bit of trouble.
Then you must rest until dinner"
Unpleasant thoughts were far away as
Sarah prepared the simple dinner, trying
to make it as attractive rs possible She
would get out some of her wedding china.
Why not? John would enjoy Il bright
spot in the day for the strangers. She
even picked bunch of astraagus, max
ing centerpiece of the white, furry
leaves. \ sprig of wild gcranium was
laid at each plate.
There We're CHEEKY faces around the
table, and Sarahs was not less bright
than the faces of the others.
The gaunt stranger sat little more
erect now, and his face after even this
brief rest seemed less sharply outlined.
The warm, human kindness as well as the
d - eDi'o, l'''u
,,,ia, :, 49, i,,.', ',,.et',,ti,,,. ,i.,
thor ,ara :, M ,a,l5 I'm 10 ,,hon rorlinc