Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-10-29
CHAPTER ".
THE PILOTS MEASURE.

r. - missionary was standing
9s,;Sss..smsgBass5 at the door of my school,
watching tive children ride off home on
tbcir ponies. when n came Looping
along on his bronco in the loose jointcd
cowboy style.
well" he dra wled out bringing his
bronco to a dead stop in single bound.
"ho's lit
Lit? Where? What?" said |, look
ing round fer an eagle or some other
fying thing.
"Your blanked Sky Pilot, and he's
q beauty. pretty kid-looks too tender
for this climate. Better rot let him
out on the range" HI was quite dis
gustod evidently.
whats the matter with him, HIP
"Why. he amt no pGrson! l don't
70 much OH parsons, but when calls
for one ! don't want no bantam chick
on. No. Stree. horse don't want
NJ neutrality-suspicious. pink and white
complpcted nursery kid foolin' round
my graveyard. II you're gon' to
bring along a parson. why. bring him
with his eyeteeth cut and his tail
feathers on"
That III was deeply disappointed was
quite clear from the selection of the
profanity with which he adorned this
lengthy address. It was never the ex-
tent of his profanity, but the choice,
tiiat indicated His interest In any sub
iect.
Altogether the outlook for the mis-
sionary VAS not encouraging. With
the single exception Of the Aluirs, who
really counted for little. nobody want
ed lin. To most of the reckless young
boods OF tie Company OF the Noble
Seven his presence was an oifense to
others simply nuisance, while the
Old Timer regarded lis advent with
something like dismay. and now His
Impression of his personal appearance
was not cheering.
My first sight of him did not reassure
me. He was very slight. very young.
very innocent, with a face that might
do for an angel. except for the touch of
hulnor il it, but which seemed strange
~ out of place among the rough, hard
faces that were to be seen in the Swan
Creek country. 1t was not a weak face,
however. The forehead was high and
square. the mouth firm and the eyes
were luminous. of some dark color
violet if there is such a color in eyes
dreamy or sparkling according to his
mood; eyes for which woman might
find use, but which In missionary
head appeared TO me one of those ex-
trsordinnry wastes Of which nature ~
sometimes guilty.
He was gazing far away into space
f,,H 10, ha n
blue line of the mountains behind them.
He turned to NE as drew near with
eyes ahght and face glowing.
1T is glorious" he almost painted
"You see this every dayW Then, re-
calling himself, be came eagerly to-
ward me, stretching out his hand.
"You are the schoolmaster, l know.
DO you know. it's n great thing! I
wanted to be one, but never could get
the boys on. They always got me tell
ing them tales. | was awfuily disap-
pointed. I am trying the next best
thing. You see, wont have to keep
order, but don't think l con preach
very well. l am going TO visit your
school Have you many scholars? Do
you know. / think it's splendid! !
wish | could do it,
I had intended to be somewhat stifr
with HIN, but his evident admiration
of me made me quite forget this lauda'
bic intention, and as lie talked on with
out waiting for an answer his enthusi'
'asm. his Difference to my opinion, his
charm OF manner. his beautiful face
his luminous eyes. made him perfectly
irresistible, and before | was aware
was listening to bis plans for working
his mission with eager interest. Sc
ager was my interest. indeed, that be-
fore | was aware found M self ask
ing him TO tea with me in my shack
But he declined. saying:
I'D like to awfully; but, 90 you
know, | think Latour expects me"
This consideration of Latour's feel
ings almost upset me.
You come with me-" he added, and
4 went.
Latour welcomed US with bis grim
old face wreathed in unusual smiles
The Pilot has been talking to Him too
1--WE got it, Latour"' he cried ont as
te entered. Here you are And he
broke into the beautiful French Cana
dtan chanson "A la Claire FOntaine.
20 the old half breeds almost fearful
delight.
do you know" he went on 81 heard
that first down the Mattawa," and
away he went into a story of an eX-
persnce with French Canadian RATS
men, mixing mp his French and Eng
lish in so charming manner that La
tour, who In his younger days long age
had been a shantyman himself. could
hardly know whether he was standing
on his head or OH his heels.
After tea proposed ride out to SEE
the sunset from the nearest risinl
ground Latour, with unexamplcC
generosity, offered his own cayuse
Louis.
81 can't ride we'll" protested thu
Pilot
"Ah OATS good ponce, Louis" urged
Latour. Hes quiet lax wGa leetl'
mouse; he's ride laE-what you coll
wan horse On de rock" Unde
which persuasion the pony was &C
cepted
That evening saw the Swan Crecl
country with new eye5-through tn,