Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-28
He led the horse dorn the mn.

Rc led the horse dorf the hill.
ker, hop off. You're going to send word
to the folks that you're with me and
safe"
you're not going to drive me
awny?"
Raymond looked Mt him in silence
mo. I'm going to put you TO work"
The boys face threw off its shadow.
"That's bully! Now I'm all right.
Give me a pen" He wrote:
have found Rob. We're all O. X.
Don't worry. LOUIS.
AS he handed it over he said gayly.
"Will that do?"
That's satisfactory. Now rush it."
As they walked out Raymond stern
~ asked: want to stay with me, do
you? Well, everybody works where I
live. We don't allow oilers. IL you
had something to do you'd keep out
O. mischief"
Louis twisted his small right arm.
I'm ready for anything
Got your outft-your whole kit?"
I've got one camera and my draw
Ing materials"
Raymond packed his hand bags on
the horse, and together they set out up
the trail. At first the lad cxulted and
cried out like Il blue jay, but his
breathing grew laborcd us they rose,
and at last Raymond turned. Now,
see here, Louis, this air is pretty thin
till fellow gets used to it; you'd bet
ter mount. You'll enjoy the scenery
better"
With feeling that he was succumb-
ing to an unmanly weakness, Louis
clambered to the horses back and
perched among his possessions, while
Raymond, striding ahead, led the way
up and up till the whole world seemed
coming into view. "Ol. this is fine!
Jupiter, this is the place for mel!
He was unfeignedly delighted with
everything-with the new shacks, with
the slab tables and the plank chairs
and with the liberal and smoking din
Aer which Mrs. Kelly provided-but
he drew kissing breath of admira-
ton over the grand figure of old Mat
thew Kelly. Gee, but you're Il Won
der! l must do you"
Kelly wills puzzled and little en-
barrasscd by this outspoken admira-
ton and regarded Louis with definite
disfavor till he presented him with
pencil drawing of the lads playing on
the doorstep, and then lie said: 1.-The
Lord God has made power O. people
that the keiiys have not seen. This is
wan of them. Now, isn't that IL Won
der? He put the whole thing together
in five. minutes" The. eafter lie ac-
copied the boy for the cunning that lay
in his fingers.
Raymond wrote that night to Ann as
formally as the riot in his brain would
permit:
I planned to take myself out of your
life IS completely us If l were dead, but
Louis would not have 1t SO. When /
met him on the hill today and he told me
how long he had been from home, | de-
termined to hustle him back to the
Springs. but he asked to stay q day or
two. and here he is. VIII you trust him
with me? He will tire of 1t here by and
by and go back to you of his own accord
Just now he is mad over the life and the
scenery. AS for myself. am a new man.
with new aspirations They may not
seem very high to you. for l am striving
now to acquire gold. but that is only a
means to an end. There is something else
in the world for me to do. don't know
what it is to be-perhaps my care of this
wonderful boy Is part OF 1t. AT any
rate. he Is here and not to be driven away
without great risk TO him and deep pain
TO me. So. Unless you object. / SHALL keep
him. Our life is rough. but not contain
nating. will see that no harm comes 10
him.