The Morris County chronicle., 1904-02-19
NOR sIs EoiINTY GHR0NicIE FRIDAY FEBRUAkY ls 1904

could help 1t And as for the Others, he
thought that the palIbearers had
blanked sight more to do with the
plantin' than them giddy mourners
But when they gathered at the Mere
dith ranch to carry out the Pilot to his
grave it was felt that the foothil coun-
try was called to new experience.
They were all there-the men from
the Porcupine and from beyond the
Fort, the police with the inspector in
command, all the farmers for twenty
miles around, and of course all the
ranchers and cowboys of the Swan
| Greek country. There was no effort at
repression. There was no need, for in
the cowboys for the first time in their
experience there was no heart for fun.
And as they rode up and hitched their
horses to the fence or drove their
sleighs into the yard and took off the
bells there was no loud voiced saluta-
ton, no guying nor chatting, but with
silent nod they took their places in the
crowd about the door or passed into
the kitchen.
| The men from the Porcupine could
not quite understand the gloomy si-
lence. 1t was something unprecedent-
ed In country where men laughed all
care to scorn and saluted death with
nod. But they were quick to read
signs, and, with characteristic courtesy.
they fell in with the mood they could
not understand. There is no man liv-
Ing so quick to feel your mood and so
ready to adapt himself to 1t as is the
true westerner.
This was the day of the cowboys
grief. To the rest of the community
the Pilot was preacher; to them he was
comrade and friend They had been
slow to admit him to their confidence,
! but steadily he had won his place with
| them till within the last few months
they had come to count him as of
themselves. He had ridden the range
with them, he had slept in their shacks
and cooked his meals ON their tin
stoves, and, besides, he was Bill's
chum. That alone was enough to give
! him right to all they owned. He was
! theirs, and they were only beginning to
take full pride in him when he passed
out from them, leaving an emptiness in
their life new and unexplained.
No man in that country had ever
shown concern for them. nor had it oc-
Cured to them that any man could till
the Pilot came. 1t took them long to
believe that the interest he showed in
them was genuine and not simply pro-
/ al Ia,
they had expected chiefly pity, warn
/ ing, rebuke. The Pilot astonished them
/ by giving them respect, admiration and
open hearted affection. 1t was months
before they could get over their sus-
picion that he was humbugging them.
When once they did they gave him
back without knowing it all the trust
and love of their big, generous hearts.
/ II nd made this world new to some
of lnem, and to all had given glimpses
of the next. 1t was no wonder that
they stood in dumb groups about the
1 house where the man who had done
all this for them and had been all this
to them lay dead.
There was no demonstration of grief.
A The Duke was in command, and his
1 quiet, firm voice, giving directions,
helped all to self control. "a The women
who were gathered in the middle room
were weeping quietly. Bill was no
where to be seen, but near the inner
door sat Gwen in her chair with Lady
Charlotte beside her holding her hand.
Her face, worn with long suffering,
was pale, but serene as the morning
sky, and with not trace of tears. As
my eye caught hers she beckoned me
to her.
"Where's BillY she said "Bring him
In"
found him at the back of the house
aren't you coming in, BillT' | said
''No; | guess there's plenty without
me-" he said in his slow way.
you'd better come in; the service is
going to begin," urged
"Don't seem as if | cared for to hear
anythin' much, amt much used to
preachin', anyway" said Bill, with
! careful Indifference, but he added to
himself, except his, of course"
"Come in, Bill" | urged. 1T will
look queer, you know" but Bill re
piled:
II guess I'll not bother adding after
pause, "You see, there's them VIM
min turnin' on the water works, and
like as not they'd swamp me sure
"That's So" said Hi, who was stand
ing near, in silent sympathy with his
friends grief.
reported to Gwen. who answered
in her old imperious way, Tell him !
want him" took Bill the message.
"Why didn't you say so before?" he
said and, starting up, he passed into
the house and took up his position be
hind Ovens chair Opposite, and lean
ing against the door, stood the Duke.
with look of quiet earnestness on his
handsome face. At his side stood the
Hon. Fred Ashley and behind him the
Old Timer, looking bewildered and
woe stricken. The Pilot had filed a
large place in the old mans life. The
rest OF the men stood about the room
and filed the kitchen beyond, all quiet,
solemn. sad
In Ovens room. the one farthest in.
lay the Pilot. stately and beautiful un-
der the magic touch OF death And as
| stood and looked down upon the
quiet face | saw why Gwen shed no
tear but carried look of serene trl-
umph. She had read the face Alright.