The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-11-07
IN THE BLACK HILLS.

Victor Holiday was ordered by his phy- sician to take a change and rest. He determined to visit his friend Somcrs Stevenson at the Big Buttes ranch in the Black Hills. Bird Slater had been sent from the ranch to the nearest town for him.
 For the first time in months Holiday was hungry and so informed his driver.
 "WeU stop at Ncwlands',' = vouchsaled Bird.
 "Is that an inuf' Holiday inquired.
 Nav, There aiu't no inns in this here part of the country
 Before the sod habitaton of the New lands Bird halloocd loud and long. but no voice answered.
 "They'rc gone to town.' he remarked. but all the same he descended from lis seat. got out bags If feed for his animals and then proceeded to walk to the frolt door of the Ncvland~ house. He sign Il ed Holiday To follow him. which tla, young man did somewhat reluctant }. He was not accustomed to entering houses during the absence of their oV IT, CTS.
 But Bird Slater evidently had no such compunctions.
 Set down. he commanded. Then he proceeded to build fire. To draw water from the well and put the kettle over. ' it. Helped .d fSmf n g se fie or 1Sx orr. r,, @ | which he cut half dozen slices; made free with corn bread, coffee and stewed | prunes. and at last invited Holiday to q | dish of hot meat and stcamiur coffee. Well" said Ilolidny, compelled by his hunger to accept this invitation. "of all the impudcnt things l ever heard of in my life, this takes the cake l thought I'd seen check in the city, but never any thing to equal this"
 "Chock" cried Bird angrily. This ain't cheek. This is the custom in these parts. sir What l have is minc-unlc~s you're hungry. Then it's your'n. Why, man, you don't think the Ncwlands would count us as havin good Sonse if we went by their place with empty stom- achs, do you?"
 This is n mighty neat looking place, ! Bird" commented Holiday. looking around at the agreeable interior with its muslin curtains, its shelf of books its | sewing table and rockers and it's vista of an orderly bedroom.
 Yep" acquiesccd Bird. his mouth full of bacon. "Therc's women folks here. You kin allavs tell where there's women folks. Bub Ncwlnnds ain't l7 yit, and he's the only man of the family. Mrs. Newlands. she's widow, and she took up this claim and settled here. Shes got two daughters-Sally and Nell. They're plucky girls, too. tell you"
 The meal was finished; Bird gathered up the soiled dishes in a pan. poured hot al Il IL T |, and dry them. When everything was replaced. he threw ashes over the fire, laid 90 cents upon the table and said:
 Well, let's be humpin ourselves"
 Wait a minute" begged Holiday. "I want to write n notc.' A spirit of ro- nance and adventure took possession of him. He tore a leaf from his notcbool, and wrote on it:
 Miss Sally Ncwlands-A stranger has sat beside your hearth and eaten of yout fare. When the little tmepiece, which he leaves as token of your unconscious hospitality, has made its round four times, he will call to thank you.
 He drew q little leather framed travel ing clock from his pocket and placed it upon this note, and as he rode away he wondered how it was that woman's ruffied apron and little scarlet shawl could give look of inviting domesticity to the dun interior of a sod cabin.
 His friends ranch was among the mountains, where the shooting and the fishing were of the best, and it was shoot ing and fishing that he had come for. but for all of that he got into a saddle though he was not used to a horses back and made off over the hills 10 the New lands shack
 The house was not rninhabted this time Far from it. Three hearty and handsome women sat in it--WOmcu used to making the most of every opportunity that offered To feast and entertain a grateful and handsome stranger was joyous opportunity not to be accepted in the spirit of coquctry. but with honest friendincss and gratitude
 As for Holiday, he was honestly GU rious about these unaffected and capable women. who took their hardships as q matter of course and who wrenched hap piness out of misfortune.
 Iu the three months that followed Hol- iday let no week pass without visiting this self respecting home. Perhaps of all the influences that operated to rest his wearied nerves and sooth his fatigued mind the placid courage and sweet, good sense of these women were the most po- tent factors. It seemed to him that he would never be able to do without this influence.
 He told Sally Newlands so the week before he left.
 '1 love you" he said q want to take you home with me when l go."
 oh" she cried. "Why do you go back east? Why not stay here? We could build another room on the shack and live with mother"
 He smiled at her perfect unconscious ness of the part he played in the world and of the part he was asking her to play. Her simplicity enchanted him. He used an argument which he thought she would understand.
 Well" he said, "I must go back to my mother"
 ''If you feel that way" she retorts1 "' ----- '''-'- c.-.-'' e. .---- ---',~"