Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-06-09
The
Succession
ny Frank IT. SsDssf
-
Copyright. 1904 By Frank Il. Sweet

o%spyIIaAl. % b FIAnE Q. swseL

went Idly along his fen,ys aud Oyer
his few scattering cattle and then re-
turned TO tie Objest which Ind brought
him to the doOr--the mail wagon.
The six dugouts aud store in sight
and a few mOre Isolated dugOuts be-
low the horizon comprised Cattleboro.
dignihed With a triweekly mail aud
having Ryland. az the most literary
man Of the community and the re-
cipient OF the bulk VI the nAil. Its Gus
todian.
As the WACO drew. near be saw
that It contained a second occupant
aud presently that the second occu-
pant was 4 woman Then the wagon
drew up In trout of the dugout. and
the woman descended. disclosing her
self to be scarcely more than a girl
and such n girl as Cattleboro had
never seen before. Ryland made q
quick step forward. tho pleasure on
his face mingled with a good deal Of
wonder.
where can / ind a hotel. sir? Is
the schoolhouse near? VIII you be
kind enough to direct me to Mr.. Ry-
land's7' the girl asked almost in a
breath.
Ryland's wonder became sudden
comprehension.
You are Miss C~olInwOod." he said.
Eyes. sir"
"well suppose you step into the
dugout a moment l Will get the mail
and then come in and explain. l am
Mr.. Ryland."
outside, the dugout was like the
others of the country; within. the slml-
larity faded. Skins and Indian blan-
kets concealed the rough walls. aud
there was a p~rofusion Of books and
periodicals. The girls eyes flashed q
friendly recognition toward some OF
the titles: then Ryland entered with a
little package Of letters and papers in
his hand aud with q troubled look On
his face.
"I'm sorry you didn't wait for mo
70 write again. " no said. The fact Is
we haven't any sci,Oolhouse yet. The
boys ara busy rounding up and brand
ing their CATTLE just now, and so It's
been put on. And-er-there isn't q
hotel or boarding house In the whole
country. The only thing l see IA for
you to 90 to the Rikshons' dugout, only
a quarter Of a mile from here. l think
they win be able TO squeeze q room
for you. and they're good people,
though Mrs. Rlkshon cannot speak u
word Of English. My idea was for
you to board with Stanley. but his wife
is east just now, and they won't move
into their dugout under a month. Why
didn't you walt until l had something
definite to writer" pathetically.
The girl laughed.
II suppose II was because I liked
your letter describing the country" she
replied. IL wanted to take a vacation.
and It occurred to me this would be
just the place. / could see the people
and get some Idea OF what school du-
ties are. You sec, this ls to be my FIRST
attempt at teaching. AS to the Rlk-
shons. l think we will get along very
nicely together"
Rylnnd's face showed his relief.
''1hen Ii will be all right" he de-
clared. I'm corrnl-call the men to-
gcther. and wen put up a log school
house for you just as soon as their
rush work Is over. We've already Sc
lected a ine clump OF trees to build
under. And In the meantime. II you
wish, we can arrange for you to teach
the children out Of doors under the
trees. There will be no rains at this
season."
THAT will be delightful" she cried
eagerly. "only." her face falling a lit
tie, II haven't secured the position
yet"
II give 1t to you now"
Without examinationT'
He looked embarrassed, then laugh
ed.
why, yes. l think I'd better. don't
believe ! would know how to conduct
an examination. You see. It's like this.
The men out here are very busy peo-
pie. and as I'm the only shlftless one
they have a habit OF loading all the Of
nces upon my shoulders. On second
thought" the relief on his face becom-
ing complete. II am glad you have ar
rived so early. These things natural
~ fall into line with a teachers du-
ties. You viii design the sehoOlhouse-
Of logs. you know-select the books and
make out q list Of the apparatus neces-
sary."
"But hold on" began Miss Collin.
wood. the merrlment In her face chang,
Ing to sudden dlsmay.
mo. no." hurrledly, 1T Is absolutely
necessary. II ls the--the examination,
you know-er-to take the place OF II,
/ mean. have felt worried about the
school books. for never went to an
American school, you know, ] couldn't
refuse, OF course. for they are all splen-
did, Woodworking people here. and II
would help them. ! think we will
make a great success Of II now"
II hope So" family.
he looked at her keenly.
"of course ! shall help you all |
can" be treasured her. 1.-THE first few
days ! expect had better even hell
with the teaching. Some OF the young
people can speak broken English. aud
some cannot speak English ut all. and
most Of them ars only half civilized
But I've been bare several years and
understand them. aud they Az Ike me
tnfur % ra ~ aafnnI Vyfth vol