The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-22
A CATTLEBORO ROMANCE
BY FRANK H. SWEET.

BY FRANK Ill. SWEEEs
 Copyright, 1905, by Daily Story Pup'
 CompanyO
 Ryland, younger son and only two removes from a title. stood in the door way of his dugout and gazed across the prairie. There were half a dozen other dugouts in sight, and variety store. The remaining objects were mostly cattle, scattered and in buncnes' and extending to all points of the hori- zon. Here and there among them were long faint lines, as though some one had started to girdle the earth with strings These were barbed wire fences, the last innovation made neces- sary by crowding population. Ryiano gaze went idly along his lines ana over his few scattering cattle, and then re- turned to the object which had brought him to the door, the mail wagon.
 The dugouts and store in sight, and a few more isolated dugouts below the horizon line, comprised Cattleboro, dlg- nified with a tri-weekly mail and nav ing Ryland. as the most literary man of the community and the recipient or the bulk of the mail, its custodian. AS Cattleboro was not a real postoffice, however, and the mail was brought from a town thirty miles away by local contribution, there was no salary at tached to the office and no obligation on Ryland's part to study the con veniences of it's patrons often ne was away hours at time, and occa- sionaliy days If the mail arrived in his absence it was left on plank by the door, and outgoing mail was cared for in the same way.
 As the wagon drew near he saw that 1t contained a second occupant. ana presently that the second occupant was
 woman Then fSa the s,,goss Easan ans ars~ tSe Se woman descended, disclosing herself to be scarcely more than a girl, and such a girl as Cattleboro had never seen before. Ryland make quick step forward, the pleasure on his face mingled with a good deal of wonder.
 "Where can I find hotel, sir? Is the schoolhouse near? Will you be kind enough to direct me to MT. Ry- land's?' the girl asked, almost in breath.
 Ryland's wonder became sudden com prehension.
 You are Miss Collinswood?" he said.
 "Yes, sir"
 well, suppose you step into the dugout a moment. I will get the mall and then come in and explain. I am Mir Ryland."
 outside, the dugout was like the others of the country; within, there was no similarity. Skins and Indian blankets concealed the rough walls and there was a profusion of books and periodicals. The girls eyes flash ed a friendly recognition toward some of the titles, then Ryland entered with a little package of letters and papers, 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 i'm been put off. And-er, there isn't hotel or boarding house In the whole country. The only thing l see is for you to go Rikshon's doughout, only quarter of mile from here. thlnk they will be able to squeeze room from their horde Of children ana they're good people, though Mrs. Rik- shon cannot speak a word of English. But it's absolutely the only thing. My idea WAS for you to board with Stan lev: but his wife is east just now, and they won't move into their dugout under a month. Why didn't you wait until I had something definite to write?" pathetically.
 The girl laughed.
 q suppose 1t was because l liked your letter describing the country, she replied. T wanted to take va cation, and it occurred to me this would be just the place. could see the people and get some idea or what school duties are You see, this is to be my first attempt at teaching. As to the Rikshons, think we will get along very nicely together"
 Ryland's face showed his relief.
 'oThen it will be all right" he de- clared. I'll corral-caIl the men to- gether, and we'll put up log schooi- house for you just as soon as their rush work is over We've already se- lected a fine clunp of trees-the only ones in the neighborhood, by the way to build under And in the mean time, if you wish. we can arrange TOT 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 little. T haven't secured the position yet"
 T give it to you now
 without examination"
 He looked embarrassed, then laugh
 .Why yes, I think I'd better don't believe I would know how to conduct an examination. You see, it's like this The few men here, excep- ing me- are very busy people; and, as I'm the only shiftless one, they have habit of loading all the offices upon my shoulders. I am good natured, and the offices do not call for much capa- city or exertion. hence I am postmaster and a lot Of other things. and more recently. since 1t was decided our growth calls for a schoolhouse, the committee or trustee in toto. without assistance, to build the house, select the teacher and books, and afterwards to have a parental oversight of pro Rress. On second thought" the relief on his face becoming complete, T am glad you have arrived so early These things naturally fall into line with a teachers duties. You will design the schoolhouse-of logs, you know-seIect inc books and make out a list of the apparatus necessary. And, oh, yes, they have asked me to start singing plaSs. l shall turn this over to you