The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1909-12-24

] IL would be three or TOUR years, per-
haps as many as hve or six, before he
could finish paying of the mortgage
aud getting things in the condition he
wished 10 leave them. But in the
meantime he would be preparing him
self as thoroughly az possible for this
/ second coming of his ambition.
! But as these new wears flew swiftly
! by. bringing him nearer and nearer
! 10 his future, the ambition began to
separate itself somewhat from that
Of his youth. He studied himself for
this work a. be had for the farming
and found there weak places thar
would need patching or perhaps oblit
Grating altogether. Things that We're
an advantage then were no longer his.
aud even the maturity that made him
stronger was in a way detrimental.
He did not spare his weakness nor
magnify bis strength. In those days
he had drea med of the work he would
do in the pulpit. going 10 it fresh aud
strong firm in his convictions and
thoroughly equipped in his studies,
ANoN Nut Ntulu bC SSdut,
the freshness gone. and. though the
convictions would remain and perhaps
the strength, the world had passed
him by. and he could not push 10 the
front with the new generation.
But IL he could not attain to the cul-
tured eastern church and large con-
gregation OF his dreams there was still
outside work in the far west which
he could do IN the isolated towns and
among the camps Of the miners and
Indians. He would go there. II was
not always the work one liked that
was best. but rather the work where
laborers were few. And in the west
perhaps earnestness would be accept
ed in place Of the culture to which he
had not attained.
So he worked and studied and
dreamed and counted the money that
was bearing him on. and at length.
when the time drew near, he began 10
study the conditions Of his body. as
he had tried TO those Of his mind and
faith. for the years that had bridged
the chasm of his duty had Slapped his
strength. and out there on the frontier
he would need sturdy health as well
as sturdy faith.
One day Jane discovered that his
bed had not been slept in the night
before. and she wondered but said
nothing But when the next day and
the next went by and still the bed
remained untouched her wonder be.
came investigation. and the investiga-
lion soon brought twinkle of com
preheusion to her keen gray eyes. The
fifth evening she listened until she
heard him tiptoeing upstairs. then fol
lowed softly. He went directly 10 a
bare room in an unused portion of the
house, where she heard him raise a
window. Moving noiselessly down the |
hall, she waited few moments out
side the door and then went in. He
was lying upon the floor in his clothes !
with his head near the open window |
4 food of moonlight was streaming in. |
Jane crossed quickly to his side.
John, she said severely as she .
bent over him. what does this mean" /
He started a little uneasily and /
opened his eyes. but almost instantly /
his face grew tranquil.
Il am fitting myself for my work,
Jane" he said quietly. Il did not
wish you aud mother 10 know for
fear you might be worried
Fitting yourself for death of cold.
more likely" she retOrted. For a
practical farmer you are the most i'm
practical man ever saw, John She
closed the window with bang and
continued: Now, | want a good long
talk with You. I've wanted it ever
since you've had this notion of the
west in your head suppose this
sleeping mp here is the hardening proc
ass that is fitting you for life in the
amps aud on the ranches
Why. yes" he acknowledged a lit
le doubtfully. You know ! have
never slept outside Of a nice bed in
al my life. Jane, and-and it seemed
| duty to prepare myself for roughing
t."
Look here. John Wilson" she be
gan. Then her voice softened sud
lenly. You mean all right. Brother
John. but you can't do it. You would
lie from exposure out there inside Of
| month. Besides. you are not fitted
or that Kind Of work ! know what
'ou'd Ike 70 have been and what you
nave been. but you're mistaken in
linking any part Of your lie lost. II
las been fuli-just as full perhaps as
hough YOU could have done as you
Wished. The Lord does not waste his
yorkmen, John"
Her hand was resting upon his Shout
Ter now. and her voice had grown ten
Ter aud thoughtful.
You want to do all you can with the
est of your life," she went on. but il
Gems 10 me you can do more here.
,ou understand this people better than
gu do that. | was through some OF
he worst streets Of the city yester-
ay. and heard little children swear