The St. Mary banner., 1906-06-30
Guided by Providence.
A TRUE STORY

By lanes N. Martin.

Daaford. as we slowly made our way
along the rough country roads OF 'lie
Pennsylvania oil fields one a1ternoon
IN the latter part of March, 1889.
mo. you never gave me that pleas
ure. captain" | answered, glad OF the
oppOrtunity to listen to any lhciueh'
he might choose to relate, for the cap
tain was a capital story teller, ana
anything he might have in the way OF
personal "reminiscences would greatly
relieve the monotony Of travelling
through the interminable succession
OF mud holes that rendered it impos-
sible to drive faster than walk.
''Well," he began. "in my younger
days I cannot say that l was much Oh
4 believer in what theologlans are
pleased to call special providences-
1t takes years and experience TO brlng
the skeptic to such faith. but the III
cident am about to relate has chanS-
ed my views on that question, II not
fully confirmed me in the doctrine
In 1877, was interested Win
other gentlemen of F, who had
made more out of oil than they wen
knew what to do with. in COLORADO
silver mine; one Of those far-aWay-
from home enterprises that require the
putting in of more silver bricks than
ever are taken out. At least, such
proved to be the case in this instance
For time reports from our SUI
perintendent on the ground. who. by
the way, had been highly recommend
ed to us as thoroughly competent for
the position. were very assuring.
Specimens of the ore from our own
graced the counters and Office desks OF
every shareholder, with certificates OF
assay pasted on their glitterlng sur
faces, giving assurance Of their fabu-
lous wealth stored away in the rough,
and we flattered ourselves that we mad,
In camp phrase, Struck it rich Stlm-
ulated by these rose-colored hopes. we
paid our assessments with the spirit
Of cheerful givers, but as time passed.
and the days came when our invest
ments should begin to yield a return
in the coveted white metal, the enthu-
siasm of our superintendent began TO
correspold;nS.y wane, and clouds or
disappointment to gather on our NTH
erto bright horizon of financial pros
poets.
Months passed in waiting, hoping
against hope. Letters from the su-
perintendent came at greater inter-
vaIs. each tinged with a deeper dye OF
doubt, and containing suggestions OF
possible further assessment as neces-
sary for more extended developments,
or else utter abandonment. In spirit
of desperation to know the bitter
truth, my associates concluded to in
vest their extra assessments in send
ing one Of our number to the field OF
operation to make personal examina-
tion. True, this was very much on
the principle of locking the stable af-
ter the horse was stolen,' but never
theless it seemed the best to do, and I
was selected to make the pilgrimage.
MY trip was uneventful until l
passed or neared. the Colorado line.
That is, it was of the usual railway
order, passengers getting on and off
1t the frequent stations and the usual
hustle of the railway train door slam
mings, All aboard ETC., but after we
passed beyond the eastern and more
densely settled portions OF Kansas.
stations became fewer and passengers
scarcer, until l at last found one other
person and myself the sole occupants
of the car.
MY fellow-traveler was a young
man, scarcely out of his teens, bear
ing the inevitable stamp of the boy
just-out trombone, and that home
sne that sheltered its young close
about the hearth-stone. For a time
We sat apart, each gazing out of the
windows at the monotonous and unin-
habited plains, covered with their dust |
begrimed growth of wild sage, and |
brown buffalo grass. But two is COM
pany,' you know, and as the day wore |
on, and the scenery became more un- |
my companion in travel |
eft his seat and joined me- OBJ |
served, aside from a small travellers |
Ratchel, he carried a guitar encased |
E green bag. AS he drew near l |
moved over in my seat, by my act in
dicating willingness for his closer
oompanionship.
VERY monotonous country he re-
as he accepted the proffered
Ieat
"'Yes,' replied, we are now cross
ing the Great American Desert" of
ny school days geography
"'Well, it deserves that name yet,
but 1t is not so-called in the books of
recent date he answered, with an in
uedulous smile.
No; modern geographers have ex-