Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1912-03-30
The Lure of the Desert
BY
Mrs. w. r. Edwards.

picked the dry limbs OF sage lying
dead and twisted among their fellows,
declaring she never saw such kindling
Overland freighters trailing past
the Harrison shanties through the
dust, IRON the railroad town, carry
Ing provisions to the inland towns
along the Snake river to the south,
were many times obliged to seek
shelter for the night with the Harri-
SONS, during the rainy seasons, in
the years that followed.
Hearing OF u nelghbor about nine
mles TO the south, William While in
town tor a frseh supply of water,
maze his acquaintance; and they de-
claed, that suffering the same hard
ships, they should unite for mutual
encouragement and protection.
Arrangements were accordingly
maze Tor the Harrison family to
spend the following Thursday
thanksgiving Day. with the Jones
family.
Thanksgiving Day in the Desert.
| 1t was most beautiful morning
when they started, they could see
wonderful distance in the clear at
mosphere; there had been light
lrost in the valley but the surround
ing mountains were covered with
snow. The sun had just risen in the
east; his rays slanting across the
valley on the Snake river winding
on its serpentine way. To the east
odd Bennett" mountain stood bold,
upright and majestic in his new
crowned glory, covered with snowy
ulamoncs, looking like a Veritable
Nlng OF the desert; his wonderful di-
adem sparkling and dazzling the eye.
10 the west and south no less pa
seantry OF grandeur greeted their
%. he Owyhee mountains were
sleeled up to their hoary heads
lorth in irenzied earthquake and
covering above them and just be-
yond, the scene showed the Nevada
lnoultalhs leaning back, their lofty
peahs III ice wool caps against the
horizon, locking across the valley as
II they 1elt it their duty to Delch
lOrLn i'll irrenzied earthquake and
drive the gold seekers from out their
bowels, where they were tunneling
tor that precious metal men have
sweat, bled and died for
ooh! could | but paint and write
poetry! exclaimed Rosy"
"Ioesy is Madness" answered
Billy.
Alter two hours drive they drew
up before a little floorless shack
where they were welcomed in true
western style. Here was indeed a
pioneer; in the true sense of the
word, undergoing cheerfully, prlva-
would appaliingly shrink. Here was
his little flock of sheep thirteen in
team; forming the nucleus of his
future hopes. With five children to
prt AtIlian, thau
managed to exist; but somehow they
did and were happy.
The man Jones, had taken a
claim" Of one hundred sixty acres
and was endeavoring to hold 1t, until
the required time to prove up, Elk.
PRED, by working day now and
then, for the tender-foot who invari-
ably went away after few years OF
sage clearing.
In order to provide a suitable din
ner for his guests, he had gone far
into the mountains; spending several
days; returning the evening before
Thanksgiving with several fat grouse
and sage-hens.
Instead of finding his neighbor an
unlearned man, as William had
supposed lin view of exterior APP
pcarances) he found him to be a
man of extraordinary intelligence.
He told William and grandfather
that his limited means had become
almost exhausted, when his physi-
clans ordered him Ito go west" for
his health. Now with the improved
condition of his health he hoped to
get a second start in life, by hold
ing ON to his land while supporting
his family by contributions to papers
and magazines. Too poor to send
his children to school, he became
their instructor and they put him
not to shame.
While chatting over their dinner,
with his knowledge of national af-
fairs, Mr.. Jones caused William to
fool kaan1v hic lack of knoWlndpp on