Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-05

The men below watched the limp swaying
figure with varying emotions. Black Bill
laughed and said, sardonically:
That's a Scotch hist for We"
And then his countenance changed as he met
the flashing eyes of Reddy White.
''Ef that boy falls, Wen string you up to
tree" cried Reddy.
And a general murmur of approval ran
through the group of men,
1t was evident that Rob was completely
helpless and in momentary peril of falling in
which event Bill McGregor knew that his own
as though to escape, but the giant hand OF
Reddy White closed upon him with grip that
he felt himself unable to break.
Rob Archer had turned head downward,
and the belt which was above small limb
on the tree, was twisted around and held him
by the feet.
They dared not climb the sapling to which
the boy hung suspended, the slightest
movement might loosen his frail hold.
Black Bill trembled as Rocky Mountain began
to climb another sapling close by. His speed
upward was marvellous, exceeding anything In
that line ever witnessed by the men. lie came
up to a level with where Rob was hanging,
but was too far away to reach the boy. Then
he swayed the slender tree back and forth,
suddenly reaching out his left hand and grasp
ing the boy by the collar of the coarse blouse.
The feet of the boy slipped from the strap;
of Rocky held him with clasp of steel.
The added weight of the boy bent the saplng
to which the man was elinglng with his right
hand till it hung out over the opening as the
other saplng had done.
Mr.. Mountain had mended matters but lit
tie, for now he was utterly powerless to make
another move, as he hung suspended Ear above
the ground, holding his own and Robs weight
with one hande the tree refusing to bend fur
Their.
But Reddy White sprang to his assistance
climbing the bent tree till it swayed down to
the ground.
It was some time before the boys senses
returned, and all the afternoon he was totally
unfit for work.
As dav after day passed by, the muscles of
Rob Archer toughened and his work became
less rksome, though he longed for the peace
err. and sent the letter by the first team that
went out after supplies; but he gave no ac-
count of his hardships. The letter was of
very cheerful character, and brought great joy
to the hearts of the anxious parents.
1t was nearly month before the homesick
how received news from home. He took his
mothers letter and read it through carefully,
each tender, loving word sinking deep into his
sensitive heart and causing tears to spring to
his eyes.
his father, which brought flush of pride to
his cheeks, not so pale and thin as they were
at at the time of leaving home. 1t closed with
these words:
II know, my boy, that you are honest and
faithful and am glad that you get along
With your work SO well. ! am proud of youS
The last few words took his breath away
His father proud of him! The father who had
ever been SO 'chary of praise; who had said
again and again that he was failure! Could
it be possible?
He arose and walked about the camp, for
it was night, and he had been reading his
precious letter by the dim light of candle
kled and he Strengthened his slight Agure ex-
ultingly.
perhaps l will be somebody after ALL he
whispered to himself. as he crept into his
sleeping-place.
And the fire cracked and the weird shad-
ows danced back and forth upon the smoke
begrimed ribs of the camp roof and peopled
the dim corners with strange phantom-like
forms.