The Red Cloud chief., 1901-08-16

OF Ralph's over-Sunday visits home.
And what may they BET"
supporting yourself. and a little
more"
yes. that's good"
Getting q knowledge Of farming-a
real profession, and worth q young
fellow learning II only he has sense
to know IT,"
Yes, ] do begin to see me ins and
outs Of things a %little-just enough to
be able to see there's a good deal to
It,"
And building up q good character
for industry and square dealing with
the folks you work with. That's tho
best Of ALL"
where's the little brown Jersey
cow?"
Mrs. Lane had come out to where
the cows were being MIXED and asked
1t. missing one Of her favorites. Curl
ously enough the boy who had brought
up the cows had not noticed that she
was not among them. He went to
look for her. but came back without
her.
Must have strayed out Of the pas
ture and got into the woods" said the
farmer. well, here's a chance for all
hands. She's q valuable animal, and
musta't 90 unmilked n we can help It."
Il don't know whether I should want
to be q farmer or not" Ralph COM
muned with himself as ne ana two or
three others took different ways in
searching for the Jersey COW. III It
often meant tramping round when I'm
tired out with the days work and
think I'm done certainly I wouldn't.
Well, as I see no prospect of eve hav-
Ing q farm itS little use to bother over
the matter. Where Is that cow"
He walked. to the extreme end, OF the
pasture which lay alongside Of the
great wheat field in which he had
scored his nrst triumph OF resolution
over muscle. Back Of the fields was q
strip Of woods much frequented by
picnic parties, into which the cattle
sometimes strayed through defective
places In the fence.
II don't see anything Of her. l
guess I'll 30 back. IT'S likely some OF
the others will ind her."
But It was not In Ralph's nature to
do things by halves. and he continued
his walk to where tho trees were thick
est. bounded at length by a board
fence.
On approaching It as he made his
way among the trees Ralph saw some
thing which made his heart stand still.
O" thought I smelled smoke, and
there tits. Flre!"
An unconscious impulse led him to
raise his voice at the last word, not
wlthstanding his knowledge that there
was little chance of any one being
within hearing.
A party Of campers had left the re-
mains Of . nre which by slow degrees
had made Its way to the fence. on
which with vigorous hold 1t wal now
working It's way along toward the
grain fields. In = moment, In which he
involuntarily stood In CONSERVATION.
Ralph took In the situation and all It
might mean.
There had been a protracted drought
aud everything was al dry as finder.
Very we'll the boy knew that flame,
once getting a hold on that stubble-
field, swept by the lively wind toward
some lightly built sheds on the out
skirts Of the farm buildings. not only
the great grain stacks which bore for
him the record OF many an aching limb
but all the valuable belongings OF the
farm would be in great danger.
What was he to do? Whatever 1t
was must be done quickly. No water
near-nothing to work with. not w
those boards. No help. for no response
came to his cry. He sprang at the
fence and beat and pulled with terri
BILE energy. Fortunately 1t was old,
and though well made, soon began to
tremble under his assaults. One panel
torn down. but already the flame creep
Ing along the dried grass had caught
on the next one. No matter for
scorched hands-it must come down.
All the while. with shouts for help Of
which he himself was scarcely con-
scious. Would 1t be OF no avail?
Nearer the wheat stubble crept the
willy foe, SO quiet, SO intent on Its
work Of destruction.
With all his strength he tore at the
fence. laying 1t low with heavy strokes
and pulls. And as the smoke curled
mockingly In his face and his breath
came In heavy gasps welcome cries
mingled with his own and other and
stout hands Joined In the work Of res
cue.
Ralph had a good chance for rest
before his hands recovered from the
cruel experience. He wal taken home
and made much of by his mother. who.
he l~aughlngly insisted, would rather
see him lying still than working. ever
at such q cost.
Mr.. Lane came to see him after a
few days.
I'm almost ready to 90 back to
work." said Ralph.
II s'pose It will be good for you to
Lnxp a. an Rov n u,ktIaD IIn xanIx hrld