The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-24

county that he had once been told
about. He was lucky in this, that the
owner of the stable was actually pres
ent when he reached it, and lucky also
in being given the opportunity of max
ing his application for employment to
the Great Man himself. Johnnie's
breath again gave him trouble, but
what he said was to the point
Il haven't had much to do with EN-.
but 90 seem to know something about
EN-, and I'm 50 mortal fond o horses
that nothing would be too much trou-
BILE to learn and, if you'd try me. I'd
work my hardest'-- Then his breath
gave out, and he stood painting and ex-
pectant, the stare of his blue eyes for
once liked appropriately on the Great
Mans face.
And he was given the work he longed
for The Great Man was mortal fond"
of horses. too. there may have been
times when he even euvied his men
their method of earning their daily
bread about his stables. At any rate.
he realized that Johnnie was going TO
live an ideal life-a life spent in doing
the thing Of all others he would rather
do.
Johnnie's choice Of occupation. indeed
was such a wise one that he did not
long retain the humble position in
which he started. His fondness for
horses taught him more about them
than experience taught many of the
others; he could always lead them by
1t, just as a woman who loves children
can always make them love her. or
man who loves men can always manage
them. And from the first when his
wages amounted to only q very few
shillings weekly and he was obliged to
go often very hungry to do it (for
Johnnie was still growing and his appe-
/ tite with him), he regularly sent
/ monthly postal order to his widowed
/ mother. and as time went on he never
failed to make it larger to match ev
cry rise. He did not often write. and,
II he did he never gave her his adj
/ dress, or any news beyond the state Of
! his health; a thing that, having started
/ propltiouEly. did not vary. Nor did he
I ever visit her, although it would have
/ been an easy enough journey to take
a likely thing to do. But, in refraining,
johnnie probably had his reasons; he
I covered them ever with & wide re-
ticence but It was known by now that
! he generally had them-for other people
to talk about if they cared to.
And then at last Johnnie gained pro-
motion and rise so substantial that il
4 seemed to change his views For more
( than a year he had been walking out
with young WOman-Oniy a servant, it
is true. but sweet of face and true of
heart and as fond of Johnnie as he was
fond of horses He had started their
walks together by making it very plain
to her that marriage must be a remote
possibility, because the postal orders
taxed his resources and were not on
any account to be stopped.
so it maynst be worth your while to
be waiting" he had said Likely It
would be a stiffish time"
Then you don't really love me?"
4 sighed the maid.
Il loves you right enough. said
Johnnie. I wasn't speaking i'll of my
love"
If you love me. how can you doubt
me being willing to wait bit for you
You're willing, aren't you? She spoke
/ with tears.
Mighty willing" said Johnnie. lie
drew her head upon his shoulder. and
he Datted it. resting there, as he might
have patted the head of favor it
horse. ShOrtness of breath, as of old at
an emergency, overlook him, but he
managed to repeat. Steady. m beauty,
4 steady, a great many times
And now his generous wages actually
/ admitted Of the double burden-the pos
tai orders to the mother at distance
and the pretty wife at home. But be-
fore making this change in life, john
\ ME. almost for the first time. took a
step on the impulse Of a nonent-1eit