Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-11-17
| At Squdtter's
Culch
BY THOMAS B. M0NTF0RT
toopyrish,. i'o.. By Daily stOrs Pub. OIL

q gulch. He was weary and discouraged
:. for he had just added another to
l long series of days of hard and fulfil
effort in his search for gold.
Q Presently another man came dowI
l. the road, logged out In his Sunday at
; tire. He was humming light air, hi.
. head well up and satisfied expires
sion on his face. Joe Cousins watched
: this man for moment, a scowl on hi
countenance, then to himself he said:
ID HIM"
When the man came even with Joe
he stopped and, for an instant, stood
silent, cycling him closely. There was
something of an air Of triumph in his
manner that was exasperating.
WELL" he said, presently, "how's
things?"
"Oh, about So" Cousins replied,
with forced calmness.
Struck nothing YETI"
mo"
TOO bad, isn't it,"
"Oh, | don't know. It takes time
to strike fortune Things will come
around all right, guess"
Maybe so. / hope they will, any
how; but you can't always tell. You
missed your chance up there at Rug
giles Point. If you had done as did
you would be on Easy street now"
That's true, guess; but prefer
IN ~, ot6
I'd rather remain poor all my life
than rob helpless old man."
"Oh, it wasn't robbery, Joe. Moth
ing like it. 1t was just merely sharp
stroke of business. It's done every
day."
perhaps 1t is; but that doesn't
make it right" Joe replied. ut may
be business in the eyes of some peo-
pie, but to me it looks like dishon-
esty."
The other laughed.
well, look at it as you please" he
said. "You have that right. I'm
afraid, though, you'll never get on In
this world if you're always going to
be SO particular. 1t don't pay Such
high notions of honor are commenda-
BILE no doubt, but they don't buy any
thing. Well, I'm off for town. Any
thing I can do for you down there?"
mo"
81 may see Miss Harmon. Just
barely possible, you know. If there Is
any word you want to send her I'll be
glad to take it."
Joe's face darkened again.
Every much Obliged" he said
There is nothing you can do for
me-"
The other .hesitated for a moment,
then, with an exasperating air of
self assurance, said:
II want to be square with you, Joe,
so I'll tell you something. I'm going |
to ask Miss Harmon to marry me-"
Joe stood up, flash of anger in his
eyes. With an effort he controlled
his feelings and calmly. replied:
$50 far as can see that Is none of
my business. If you want her, and
she is willing to have you, marry
her."
"Of course. But knowing that you
are in love with her, thought l
ought to tell you. l don't want to appear
70 take any advantage of you, you know"
"You are very considerable Jim;
yery. But 1t is not necessary for you
to bother about me. You have a per-
feet right to marry Miss Harmonic
you can get her."
Thanks! l am glad you feel so
bout 1t. OF course, know you can
not expect to win her-not in your
financial condition you know. That
s one of the great disadvantages Of
being poor, isn't it,"
The half-sneering, wholly patroniz-
ng tone in which these words were
Uttered was highly trying to Joe.
himself up to his full height
le said, warmly:
Poor as ] am, Jim Lewis, would
lot exchange places with you for the
world. Money is q good thing to
lave, but a clear conscience is better.
Even for the sake of winning Miss
harmon I would not want to get q
ollar dishonesty"
"No! Well, I hope you may find
nuch happiness in your high ideas,
oe. For my part, I'll risk finding my y
appiness in plenty Of money and the
roman love. So long" J
Jim Lewis resumed his walk dowE
he road. His manner was that Of q.
ian thoroughly satisfied with him
elf and the world in, general. His
caring was that of victor. !,
Joe Cousins returned to his seat
nd, placing his elbows on his knees. n,
ropped his face into his hands. He -
as very unhappy. He loved Jane =,
Iarmon, and he believed he could win :
er II he dared to try. But he was n,
DOR, and he was too proud to ask !,
ny woman to marry him and share =
Is poverty. He had toiled faithfully :,
" years and fortune had not smiled !.
a him. So far IS he could see, there
A not the slightest Indication OF