The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-27
ROUGH DIAMONDS.
BY F. R. MILES.

Copyright, 1905. by Daily Story Pub
 The hot summer was drawing to E close; and the slanting rays of the sur cast a long shadow on the prairie oi the wooded slope, which was the be- ginning of a range of hills extending in undulating beauty westward.
 The only animate object in sight or the vast wilderness of flatness to th' east was a prairie schooner drawn by a pair of lean, struggling horses whict was making It's way toWaros tht haven ahead.
 The weary horses, under the double inspiration of the whip in the hand. of the unkempt man on the seat ant the suggestion that the trees ahead offered, increased their tired walk tt a poor imitation of trot, which was finally effectual in landing them a the foot of the slope while old So was yet quite distance from tn, western horizon.
 As the outfit came to a standstil the other occupants of the schooner made themselves manifest. A young woman with an infant in her arms de. scended the rear steps, and while hei husband unhitched and unharnesseC the horses, improvised bed from { miscellaneous collection of clothes, de posted the baby thereon and proceed ed to bring from the interior of the wagon the things necessary for the preparation of the evening meal
 The man, his task with the horse: finished, collected an armful of dry wood and with the expertness which could result only from long practice proceeded to light fire.
 At this juncture prolonged indig- nant howl from the bundle of clothes attested to the fact that someone was being slighted and the mother, in strict obedience. raised the protester from his low1y bed on the prarie and with much coddling and in a language which only babies and mothers can un- derstand, succeeded in pouring oil on the troubled waters.
 The father, with hands deep in pock- cts and hat tilted back on head, re- garded the pair moment with a sense of proprietorship, then impulsively striding over to them he gathered both mother and child in his arms.
 Nell" exclaimed the man suddenly, we've goin' to win out one of these days, see If we don't!"
 The wife laughed happily. T think we've won out now, Jim. Who in all the world has a boy like this?"
 ''Oh, the kids all there, you bet, but you know, Nell, you ain't used to this sort of life and it's goin' to stop soon now, can tell you"
 There, there. Jim, don't talk like that. Everything's all right as long as I have you and baby. Now. sir, as a punishment for being so gloomy, you can take that pail and go and look for some fresh water"
 He obediently took the pail and started off in the direction of the woods, whistling a merry tune.
 He had not penetrated into them very far before unmistakable signs of water began to show themselves. As he proceeded the underbrush and trees began to assume a healthier look and here and there small patches of moss made their appearance. and finally there was borne to his ears that low sweet sound so dear to every plains mans heart-the trickle of running stream.
 He dropped on his hands and knees by the eide of the brook and sampled the water. The quality suggested springs, so he decided to walk UT stream in the hope of finding one oi these treasures of the plains.
 With this end in view he arose from his knees and had stocped over to pick up the pail when the sharp com mand-
 Throw up your hands. Jim Will