The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-04-04
The
Succession
BY Frank II. StOeef
Copyright, 1904, by Frank H. Sweet

removed from a title, stood in the
doorway of his dugout and gazed
across the prairie. Ryland's gaze
went idly along his fences and over
his few scattering cattle and then re-
turned to the object which had brought
him to the door-the mail wagon.
The six dugouts and store in sight
and few more isolated dugouts be-
low the horizon comprised Cattleboro,
digniied with a triweekly mail and
having Ryland, as the most literary
man of the community and the re-
cipient of the bulk of the mail, its Gus
todian.
As the wagon drew near he saw
that it contained a second occupant
and presently that the second occu-
pant was a woman. Then the wagon
drew up. in front of the dugout, and
the woman descended. disclosing her.
self to be scarcely more than a girl
and such Il girl as Cattleboro had
never seen before. Ryland made
quick step forward, the pleasure on
his face mingled with a good deal of
wonder
Where can l find hotel, sir? Is
the schoolhouse near? VIII you be
kind enough to direct me to Mr. Ry-
lands?' the girl asked almost in a
breath
Ryland's wonder became sudden
comprehension
You are Miss Collinwood," he said.
"Yes, sir"
well, suppose you step into the
dugout moment l will get the mail
and then come in and explain. 1 am
Mr.. Ryland"
Outside, the dugout was like the
others of the country; within, the SINH
larity faded. Skins and Indian blan-
kets concealed the rough walls, and
there was a profusion of books and
periodicals. The girls eyes flashed a
friendly recognition toward some of
the titles; then Ryland entered with
little package of letters and papers in
his hand and with a troubled look on
his face.
"I'm sorry you didn't wait for me
to write again." he said. "The fact is
we haven't any schoolhouse yet. The
boys are busy rounding up and brand
ing their cattle just now, and so it's
been put off. And-er-there isn't a
hotel or boarding house in the whole
country. The only thing l see is for
you to go to the Rikshons' dugout, only
quarter of a mile from here. / think
they will be able to squeeze a room
for you, and they're good people,
though Mrs. Rikshon cannot speak
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 month. Why
didn't you wait until had something
definite to writer" pathetically.
The girl laughed.
Il suppose 1t was because l 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. l could see the people
and get some idea of what school du-
ties are. You see, this is to be my first
attempt at teaching AS to the Rik-
shons, l think we will get along very
nicely together"
Ryland's face showed his relief
''Then it will be all right" he de-
clared. "I'll corral-call the men to-
gether, and Wen put up a log school
house for you just as soon as their
rush work is over. We've already Sc
lected fine clump of trees to build
under. And In the meantime, if 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, Il haven't secured the position
yet"
81 give it to you now"
without examination
He looked embarrassed, then laugh
ed.
why, yes, 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 shiftless one
they have habit of loading all the Of
fees upon my shoulders. On second
thought" the relief on his face becom-
ing complete, Il am glad you have ar
rived so early. These things natural
ly fall into line with teachers du-
ties. You will design the schoolhouse-
of logs, you know-select the books and
make out list of the apparatus neces-
sary"
But hold on" began Miss Collin
wood, the merriment in her face chang
ing to sudden dismay.
mo, no." hurriedly, ''it is absolutely
necessary. 1t is the-the examination,
/ you know-er-to take the place of it,
l mean. | have felt worried about the
school books, for l never went to an
American school, you know couldn't
refuse, of course for they are all splen-
did, Woodworking people here, and it
would help them. / think we will
make a great success of 1t now"
81 hope So" family.
He looked at her keenly.
''Of course | shall help you all
can" he treasured her 1.-THE first few
days l expect had better even help
with the teaching Some of the young
people can speak broken English, and
some cannot speak English at all, and
most of them are only half civilized
But I've been here several years and
understand them, and they all like me.
l think if / go to school with you
awhile and tell them hunting stories
and perhaps take one of my half wild
horses there for them to give exhibi-
tons on and try to break during re-
cess 1t might keep them more tracta-
BILE. But suppose we go over to the
Rikshons now and arrange for your
accommodation"
One week later school commenced on
log benches and desk under the trees.
Ryland was there with an inexhausti-
Bile store of hunting and animal stories
to bride the scholars attention and
with vicious horse fastened to one of
the trees, which was to be common
property out of school hours
For the first few days Ryland was
thoroughly interested in the novel
ed and remained until it closed, and by
the time the novelty began to pail he
had become even more thoroughly in
terested in the teacher
Among his letters from England two
months or so later was one from the
family solicitors, the opening para
graph of which read: 1T is our painful
duty to inform you of sad accident
which befell your Cousin Robert and
the baronet while testing new auto
mobile. Robert was instantly killed
and the baronet somewhat injured He
is already better, thanks to his robust
constitution. This makes you the heir,
and the baronet directs that you dis
pose of any interests you may have in
America and return home Immediate