Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-16
DAILY SHORT STORIES
could to the boy he was training and
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haps as many as five or six. before he
could finish paying or the mortgage
and getting things In the condition he
wished TO leave them. But I'm the
meantime he would be preparing him
self as thoroughly as possible for this
second coming OF his ambition.
But as these new years few swiftly
by. bringing him nearer and nearer
to his future, the ambition began TO
separate itself somewhat from that
Of his youth. He studied himself fos-
this WORK rs he had for the farming
and found there weak places that
would need patching or perhaps obllt.
Grating altogether. Things that were
tn advantage then were no longer his.
and even tho maturity that made him
stronger was I'm n way detrimental.
He did not spare his weakness nor
magnify his strength. In those days
he had dreamed OF the work he would
do In the pulpit. going to 1t fresh and
strong, firm In his convictions and
thoroughly equipped In his studies.
Now the equipment would be scant,
the freshness gone, and, though the
convictions would remain and perhaps
the strength, the world had passed
him by, and he could not push to the
front with the new generation.
Butff' no could not attain to the cul-
tifed eastern church and large con-
gregitlon OF his dreams there was still
outside work I'm tho far west which
he could do I'm the isolated towns and
among tho camps OF the miners and
Indians. He would 60 there. IL was
not always the work ono liked that
was best, but rather the work where
iaborers were few. And in the west
perhaps earnestness would be accept
ed In place OF the culture 10 which he
had not attained.
SO he worked and studied and
dreamed and counted the money that
was bearing him on. and Mt length.
when the time drew near, he began TO
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 sapped 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-
ton soon brought twinkle OF com
prehension TO her keen gray eyes. The
fifth evening she listened until she
heard him tiptoeing upstairs, then fol
lowed softly. He went directly TO n
bare room I'm an unused portion of the
house, where she heard him raise n
window. Moving noiselessly down the
hail. she waited n few moments out
side the door and then went I'm. lie
was lying upon the foor In his clothes,
with his head near the open window.
food OF moonlight was streaming I'm.
Jane crossed quickly to his side.
John" she said severely as she
bent over him, what does this mean ?"
lie started little uneasily and
opened his eyes, but almost Instantly
his face grew tranquil.
~ am fitting myself for my work.
Jane" ne said quietly. II did not
wish you and mother to know for
fear you might be worried"
Fitting yourself for death OF cold.
more likely" she retorted "For
practical farmer you are the most i'm
practical man ! ever saw. John" She
closed the window with bang and
continued: Now, / want n good long
talk with you. I've wanted It ever
since you've had this notion OF the
west I'm your head. suppose this
sleeping up here is the hardening proc
ess that is fitting you for life in the
camps and on the ranches"
why. yes" he acknowledged lit
tie doubtfully. "You know / have
never slept outside Of nice bed I'm
all my life, Jane, and-and Il seemed
a duty TO prepare myself for roughlng
It."
Look here, John Whitson," she be
gan. Then her voice softcned sud
denly. you mean all right. Brother
John, but you can't do It, You would
die from exposure out there inside OF
n month. Besides, you are not fitted
Tor that kind Of work. I know what
you'd like 10 have been and what you
have been, but you're mistaken I'm
thinking any part Of your life lost. II
has been full-just ag full perhaps ns
though you could have done as you
wished. The Lord does not waste his
workmen, John"
= Her hand was resting upon his shout
Der now, and her voice had aFown ten.
der and thoughtful.
= You want TO do all you can with the
rest Of your ife," she went on, "but st
seems 10 me you can do more here.
You understand this people better than
you 90 that. was through some Of
the worst streets OF the city ycster-
day. and I heard little children swear
ing ut each other in the cutters, ana
1 heard OF sick men and women sti-
Ming In close rooms, with no one 20