Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1904-07-16
by JEA ~ Kate LVDL Uhf
Aafhoy qf ~ Ciyf's Afcrcy.' Etr.

To lie in that hole of a room day in,
day out, was growing unbearable;
nothing to do but watch the bit of sky
and mountain through the tiny win
dow, the scent of the pines stealing
through, or, closing his eyes, to think,
think, think his narrow thoughts that
never got away from the mountains,
the smithy, the tavern, and the town.
until he was driven nearly wild by
the thoughts that no one else ever
knew, though those who were with
him most guessed nearer the truth.
The thin face, grown pallid with
confinement, would narrow and seem
to contract, the small eyes, set deep
and close together, grew cruel and
cunning, the coarse mouth under the
scant mustache closed with sinister
meaning. For hours he would lie in
the same position, scarcely moving,
his long hands grown bony, clutching
convulsively the bed covering. And to
those who watched with eyes sharp
ened with interest all these actions
were full of meaning, and proved
much that had but been guessed be-
fore
AS time went by the men at the
tavern got over their stiffness and
dropped in occasionally through the
days. one or another, to have a chat
with Johnson, but mainly to see how
he bore his affection and to know for
themselves how much better off that
girl of Johnson's was, since her faith
| er's brother Lemuel--he who left the
settlement years beforehand returned.
Many an hour in the wide, low room
| at the tavern, or beside the door of
an evening, they discussed Johson's
condition, and freely expressed their
doubts and views as to his recovery
in spite of Dr. Dunwiddie's assertion
to the contrary. While DR.. Dunwiddie
over in the town among his friends at
Judge Green's, also discussed John
sons condition, and decided with them
that it was time something was done
and done speedily, or it would be toe
late.
Spare no pains nor expense, Dun
widdie," urged Lemuel Johnson, pacing
up and down the pleasant parlor al
Judge Green's, his hands clasped be
hind him, his forid face and kindly
eyes full of anxiety. "Joes got won
derful constitution; always did have
sinews like steel when we were young
sters This illness has been heavy t,
bring him down So Surely there 4
some way of Fastening his recovery
| nd en- M
He's got to have fair chance for
place in life, comfortable, like othe
men, and not end Il all that way
Why, it's death in life over yondel
It's buried in a grave large enough {
turn around In, but it isn't life. N
wonder he's lost all ambition stayin
there with everybody around hir
duller and more listless than he, el
cepting of course Dolores. She's
body one wouldn't meet always 10
doesn't appreciate her because he
incapable of judging out of such
batch of comrades as he's got there
That Lodies good enough sort @
man-make an intelligent man If h
had chance-but, my powers! sue
a life for man or woman. Where
was born, too, and not a school hous
or church in the place, and my owl
brothers child ignorant of even tn
catechism or the existence of God
Do your best for him, Dunwiddie
never mind the cost. Money is moth
ing compared to life worth living
You start him on with a tair show O
strength, and I'll do the rest. He
the only kin have in the world-h
and the girl-and the Lord know
there isn't a man in the world VIII,
wouldn't do all he could for such
Eth, Dora?"