The San Francisco call., 1909-04-17

ceola road. That is, he was tramp
ing in the dust Of the stage route
between Warrensburg and Osce-
ola. No.
He had no objective point; seeing
life was his excuse for running away
from home, and just now he saw green
beetles and black dragging through
the dust. now and then the trail of a
snake, and sometimes the snake itself;
and that was more Of life than Jack
liked.
When he looked back he saw the
hollows in the road that his own feet
had made, and he felt vexed to see
the dragon flies lowering over them
as II they We're q rare curiosity in that
part Of the country
Jacks neighbors called dragon flies
snake feeders, and il was a common
saying that whenever you see one you
-an md snake not far away.
MS is country, I'm glad Tn get
ing out Of it" muttered Jack 10 the
Wild fields and silences.
lie sat down when he came 10 a little
ravine and took out a bite" he had
taken from mothers cupboard. There
was ragged slice Of soft gingerbread.
and as he ate il visions OF his mother
IS she went about her work came be-
lore him.
Mothers good as gold" he remarked
sgain 10 his roomy surroundings.
laint her, and his voice trailed off
INTO sob a s q picture of her came be-
tore him as she stood at the kitchen
or. her kindly old face watching
y vain for his Homecoming from
school
feller can't be 'spected to be tied
down at home always There's Uncle
VIII went out TO Californy when he's
only 10 and he's rich as dirt now Guess
his folks didn't say anything mean of
his runnin' of, for the rest Of ems
poor as Jobs turkey. Californy for
me-"
Nevertheless. he almost wished he
could return. but the spirit that had
urged his going whispered, You ain't
game u you don't go on
II 1 get TO Osceola tonight YOU bet
can sleep. I'm most walked TO
DEATH
Looking hack along the trail he saw
sharply moving roll OF dust and
knew that in a few minutes the stage
would Overtake him
HIS hrst idea was personal safety
ana he slipped down into the tall grass
between some gopher hills; his heart
peat against the earth quick and
I can't imagine why I'm so scary,
-
but ] feel drea dful."
He raised his head and looked for
iae stage II was just coming out OF
the little dip OF the ravine There were
Two men in the drivers seat Jack
dropped his head on his hands
After little while he heard the
wheels distinctly and took another
look
Tor minute his heart seemed burst
ing. for straight and grave beside the
driver sat his father Even in the
haze OF dust and in the briefness of
the time Jack could see that his
fathers face was white and his eyes
sad.
The driver was bawling at the top
of his voice and some Of the words
reached the shivering boy.
Jest rest easy, squire. If he TUX
this road We're bound 10 ketch up
with him fore he gifts into Osceoly.
Reckon this pair o grays weuld let a
kid like him beat 'em2 Not much
Jacks father made some answer the
H9y could not hear. but again the
driver went on.
That's a fact. too. but in case we
do miss him we can put up some post
ers in the city. an III carry some
back 10 Warrensburg. n II hes"
Then the voice was lost.
That settles bout that place; now
where viii I go2" Jack looked hope
lessly at the sun; X was almost down.
II he could have reached the stage he
would have begged his father TO take
him home. but that chance was gone.
He stood on the gopher's house and
looked disc0nsolately toward the west
His throat gurgled with q cry, for
far away faint thin wisp of smoke
was trailing heavenward. It looked
50 comfortable and lovable, he tied
his handkerchief about his neck and
began his journey through the cling
ing grass and rough rosinweed.
The first friendly things his weary
eyes saw were a gentle mother COW
snd calf. the latter shut away from
lie hesitated, but loneliness and fear
urged him TO knock at the door.