The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-09-16

II you are stranger IN these here parts.
Not much, replied Wilson.
"Mout have come from putty good
distance?"
Eyes"
"Well, about how fur?"
'See that blue hill off yonder!"
yes; it's plain enough"
well. l came from further than that"
A silence fell and the hill men chewed
their tobacco and spat into the great fire.
place, and after a time another one, hold
ing the Importance of a reserve force, spoke
up: 81 take it that you amt farmer"
Whenever you feel like taking, help
yourself said Wilson, and the reserve
force cleared his throat. But he knew the
duties of his position and was not ready
TO retire.
"Of course" said he, ct is necessary,
or leastwise we think so, for man to have
some sort of business. Don't you think
so?"
EITHER that or he ought to be pretty
skillful thief" said Wilson.
Eyes, that's what we think. And you
have some sort of business, eh?"
Yes, very hourishing business"
MAY l ask what it is?"
Certainly. l am-am travelling for a fac
tory that makes cork legs and arms"
They chewed their tobacco and glanced
at one another, and Wilson, looking around,
saw a girl standing near the door. He had
caught sight of her once before, as she
swept like vision from the dairy house
across the yard She did not shrink as he
looked at her now; her brown eyes met
his, and he felt that his starving nerves
were feasting as he gazed upon her.
"And | reckon you have come here to
l. l. Al
Eyes, that's my business"
The hill men fled out, leaving Wilson
alone, no, with the girl who still stood
near the door; and when they were gone
,he came forward, not timdly but with a
weep, a dart like the strike of black
PASS, and she stood at his elbow. MY
ather lives over on the hill, she said,
and then halted to gaze into his eyes. 'He
owns this place but lets mother and me
run it, because he can't get about very
well and don't want to be in anybody's
way. He lost a leg in the army, and want
you to have him one made and brought up
here"
She was so earnest that Wilson had not
the heart to tell her that he was a liar,
that he had never seen a cork leg, so he
replied: eyes, / will go over and see him
with you"
They went over and talked with the old
fellow, and while they were there up
stumped the owner of an orchard whose
fruit brought good income and said that
he wanted leg; and before long man
named Hicks ordered right arm for him
self and left arm for his brother
Wilson had now gone too far to retreat.
The girl got into buggy with him and
drove him into another neighborhood
he ordo for atv four
arms; and then they drove down the creek
and took more orders. And he found an
interest in the work. Sometimes his con-
loience would reproach him, but the sweet
ness OF the girls face and the brightness
of her eyes made him forget his perfidy /;
and so the time grew, like the mellowing
of an apple, and at last he found that he
must return to the great wilderness called
a city. He told her good-by, at night, the
moon in her eyes, and he kissed her and
without word FASTENED away with a sweet
sadness in his heart.
The weeks passed and he sat in an office
p miserable employment obtained for him
Ey influential friends, and his hands were
ct work but his mind was among the hills
and down in his heart he saw girl with
the moon in her eyes. But he could not re-
turn to the hillside had deceived those
himself right? He sprang out of his chair
Why couldn't he fill those orders? There
must be cork leg factory somewhere in
the city. He would investigate. He found
place, quite a large establishment, and
told the manager what he had done. He
had the orders with him. A liberal com
mission was allowed him, and filter wa,
sent with him to try on the arms and legs
And again Wilson and the girl stood il
the moonlight, and her lips murmurinG
sweetness were turned upward. HI
thought OF the weary hours in his Office and
the heavy dulIness OF life without her. She
inspired him with rest; she was the spiri
OF the wooded hills
And viii you be gone so long Thu
timer" she innoeently asked. And with al
her innocence and frankness she some
times touched him gently with embarrass
ment mot II | knew that ! could sell an
more Of my goods about here" he replied
and she sighed softly.
Uncle Matt has begun work at saw
mill" she said and he murmured Eyes" /,
relieve the grqwn.e embarrassment, won
dering what Uncle Matt had to do with hi
early return. She sighed again and con
tinued:
Uncle Matt isn't careful man, and
Gawmill is a dangerous place TO work, AM
after awhile-a short while, knowing hin
as well as | do, he might need an arm
Don't you think you might come up an
see"
That was enough, and the smiling moo
yelled her face for a moment with hoai
ing fleece, and came out TO see him drivin
with her toward preachers house.
This all took place more than sever,
years ago. Wilson il now one Of the prn
cipal owners OF the establishment, and b
told me the other day that he was jul
about 10 leave home for time. TO estal
Iish cork leg factory in South Africa.