The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-17
ON THE
FORT KANE
TRAIL By cicely
Allen
Copyright, 1901, by A. s. Richardson

against the snow incrusted side of
Crow peak. Santa Claus had failed to
strike the Fort Kane trail. Teddy and
Freddy, the Squire twins. had listened
with blinking eyes to their mothers
faltering explanation that the old chap
could not get across the range. but
when they had cuddled beneath their
own buffalo robe and at a safe dis
lance from the maternal eye could in
dulge in few unmanly tears they pri-
vately exchanged the opinion that
something else was wrong. What rein
deer could not breast the drifts of the
Fort Kane trail?
Nevertheless for two days after
Christmas they watched the trail with
eager eyes. Today hope fairly died
within them. A gray pail seemed to
fall upon the narrow gulch and the
mountains. Even the flames In the
deep fireplace refused to dance, and
the logs sulked blackly. Mrs. Squire
had been called to the nearest ranch
by the illness of the one neighbor she
had known In this desolate western
home. Her husband had gone away,
ostensibly in search of deer meat. Per-
haps in reality he wanted to get be-
yond sight of those four pathetic ques-
tloning eyes. for there was absolutely
not dollar in the house with which to
placate Santa Claus. Indeed 1t was a
gravN question how the Squire estab-
lishment would be run until spring.
There was the hole in the next gulch
which Squire had been guarding hero
ically from prying eyes, but even If it's
prospects were known would any one
advance him ready cash?
The afternoon shadows were begin
ming to fall when Freddy was called
I from wrestling with the unruly fire by
an exultant shout from Teddy, who
chung desperately to his watch at the
window.
'"They's somethin' comm, Tedl l
hear it,"
Their hearing, sharpened by long
days and nights in mountain silences,
caught the distant PUNK, PUNK of an
approaching horse. There ought to
have been bells and reindeer, but any
sort of vehicle or animal would do If
only Santa Claus held the lines. They
were wild to rush out to the trail. but
the horrors of billiards. had been
drummed into their small brains until
they were quite willing to obey the pa
rental injunction to stay indoors.
Nearer and nearer came the sound.
The boys stood on tiptoe at the win
dow. All. he was turning in from the
trail! There were two of him and on
horseback!
The twins threw open the doors and
stood bareheaded and expectant as the
two horses stopped and their riders
finally entered through the narrow bar
red gate. At sight of the visitors Ted
dy could no longer hold back the tears
The disappointment was too great
nothing but cowboys and rough look
ing ones at that!
Freddy pulled himself together and
with innate western hospitality told
the men to come in.
EFF you want to see pop, you'd bet
ter wait" he volunteered. Hes gone
to track a deer. but he'll be home bout
supper time"
The taller man of the two punched
up the logs until brilliant fame illu-
minated the room, Furnishing the tow
colored hair of the twins until it shone
like gold. AS he Strengthened up he
caught sight of Teddys trimming
eyes.
Hello, kid You amt afraid, are
your" he said gruffiy. but not unkindly.
The second man sat down on the far
side of the fireplace, breathing heavily.
Teddy shook his head.
81 amt 'fraid but thought you was
Santa Claus. Nom says he's block
AIDED somewheres along the trail. but
guess he amt comm"
"Pshawr said the tall man, looking
from one boy to the other. This
storm was most unhandy fer the ole
gent" Then, in wheedlng tone:
But eff you was ter give us somethin'
ter eat praps we might help the ole
chap out bit eff we come acrost him
up the trail. Now. eff you could show
me where the coffee was, an some ba-
con, we could do the rest"
Freddy was all Importance on the
instant He hauled out the tin can of
coffee and ground away until the big
man babe him stop. He found the
bread. too. and some cold beans and
small slab of bacon.
1t was the tall man who did all the
work. His partner sat by the fireplace
detected and uninterested. but not I'M
watched. Under the heavy brows Of
the would be cook anxious eyes kept
guard on the ailing one. The two
children prattled on, enjoying the I'M
usual opportunity of playing hosts.
At last the scant meal was set forth,
and the two men slammed their chairs
before the table, covered with oil
cloth
1t certainly seemed to the twins that
never had they seen men eat as did
these strange guests.
Il wouldn't mind hayin' bit more
of that bacon" remarked the tall man
as the plates became bare.
"They amt any MORE said Freddy,
with the frankness of youth, "ner any
more beans"
There had been no sugar for the cot
fee and only molasses of the coarsest
brand for their bread. The sick man
looked up suddenly.
us there anything more TO eat in the
hOuse?"