Red River prospector. (Red River, Taos County, N.M.) 1900-190?, 1902-01-02
Ore Touch
@Natvre.

slept soundly now. IL wasn't his age,
surely; he was only 81; and it couldn't
be his business affairs. for all his in
vestments were sound and highly re-
munerative. and his large income was
rapidly increasing. No, he must look
for the cause elsewhere. Perhaps it
would be well to consult a doctor.
He arose. and. lighting the gas.
looked at his watch. 1t was 4:S0. He
went to a window that faced the east
and raised the sash. The air came
cool and fragrant. Low down by the
far-away ridge streaks Of pale blue
light were showing.
"Il see this sunrise" said Amos
Brandon. 81 haven't seen one since l
was a boy" He hastily bathed and
dressed himself. "I'll see 1t from the
outside" he added, and softly creep
ing down the stairway, found his hat,
and opening the great door. descended
the stone steps that led to the street.
AS he faced the east and moved
slowly along the avenue he snuffed the
air and found it good. He even took
off his hat and let it cool his head.
1T certainly seems to me that this
is better than tossing on that comfort
less Mattress he muttered. wonder
why l never thought of it before"
The pale streaks in the east grew
broader, a pink flush rose behind the
wooded crest. the clouds became hazy.
Swiftly the flush ~deepened, spokes Of
light were flung upward and then came
the sur.
Amos Brandon walked slowly on
ward, eagerly watching those magic
changes.
"Oh," he said, chats fine; it's worth
the trouble. How many people know
anything about it? Precious few.
Look at the present audience. One
restless, lonely old man, and a night
watchman or two. What a shame!"
He came to a street intersectioned
and paused and looked at his watch.
Quarter to FIVE" he muttered. mo,
I'll not go home. I feel like a run
away boy. I'll stroll down to the lake.
don't believe I've really seen the
lake in a dozen years."
He walked at a leisurely gait,
breathing in the tonicky air and ever
and anon turning his gaze on the sun
tinted clouds. His eyes were brighter
and his step more elastic. Laboring
men, swinging their dinner boxes,
looked around as they passed him. His
was an unusual figure at that early
hour. Once ne heard a man repeat his
name to his companions, and they all
stared %curiously at him as they passed.
As he came within sight of the lakes
blue ripples a girl came across the
avepue and turned in on the sidewalk
Just ahead of him. She was a girl of
perhaps IA. rather slender, with a clear
olive complexion and thick, dark hair.
She was neatly dressed, saw her shoes,
which were dingy and frayed, and in
her hand she carried a basket whose
contents were concealed beneath a
white paper. Amos Brandon quick
ened his steps a little.
You are an early riser" he said to
the girl. At the moment he was in
terested in early risers.
Eyes, sir" said the girl, who showed
no surprise at his abrupt remark. 81
have to carry my fathers breakfast to
him. He is a help at the mills over
there" She pointed to a long row of
dingy buildings not far ahead.
She spoke well and with a lack of
constraint that the old man admired.
why doesn't your father come
home to his breakfast" he asked.
"He goes to work at midnight and
quits at noon." she answered.
"And how far do you Gomez"
About a mile and a half"
She gave him a little nod and turned
to cross a vacant field hat would save
her a few steps. Amos watched her
for a moment as she sturdily stepped
forward.
"A good little woman and her father
should be proud Of her. l hope he is"
He sighed softly Is he plodded on.
He enjoyed the lake with its dimply
surface, and the swash Of the little
waves as they struck the piling, and
the black banner Of smoke trailing
after a far-away steamer. Presently
he turned and strolled over toward
the iron mills. Almost in a moment
he came upon the girl of the lunch
basket. She was sitting on a low pile
Of boards and close beside her sat a
workingman, bare-armed and sinewy,
a swarthy man with small black eyes
and a short, black beard. He was eat
Ing with evident enjoyment the break
fast the girl had brought him. Amos
Brandon paused at the picture. It
pleased him. He nodded smilingly to
the girl, who nodded back, and when
the swarthy man looked up he nodded
to him, too. Amos leaned against a
pile of lumber.
"Your load will be lighter on the
way back" he said to the girl.
yes" she answered, father always
has a good appetite"
The swarthy man looked up. He
hooded grayely to Amos.
"she's a good girl" he said slowly.
Come long way"
YES" said amos. I'm sure she's