The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-05
TIE EVENING STORY
In the Ozarks.
by Henderson Welsh

In the OZ2rkS.
(By Henderson Welsh.)
Lucy had only been on the farm
three weeks. but there was no doubt
but what Walter Merrick, the farm
er's son, was completely in love with
her.
She was sitting on the broad south
porch watching the moon shine as 1t
shlnes only in Italy and in the Ozarks.
Walter was sitting at her feet, his
back against the porch post.
/ know I have not much to Offer"
ne was saying; mot much when I
stop to think about what 1 am asking
from you" He was looking at her
lntently, and the moon brought out
all the full clear cut features of nat
ural refinement combined with a
sturdiness of character that marks a
man above the ordinary level of hu-
mainly.
yet" he continued, ST can give
you good home in as fair a land as
was ever created. We don't suffer
even II we are away off in the hills.
own that tract you see across the
valley, and right up on that knoll is
where | expect to build my home
from there you can see miles up the
White river valley. There's a spring
just below the spot and everything to
make it ideal, / think. But it won't
De any home at all unless [ have you
in it. Won't you ?''
There was pleading in his voice
planned to live on a farm, no matter
how beautiful it might be. No love-
her views, more restful and sooth-
ing, could be imagined. but a farm!
Ugh! No, she could never be a farm
er's wife.
Walter. why don't you come to the
city and make your fortune ?,'
To the city!'' he echoed. me?
Why. what could I do in the city? 7
would only be blockade to traffic.
getting in the way of street cars
and autos
II wish. you wouldn't talk that
way. You are bright and strong and
just wasting yourself here in the hills
when you might be somebody in the
Somebody! So, am nobody
here!" He rose and stood before her.
mo, no, did not mean that. You
know L didn't. No one can call you
nobody, and L certainly think too
much of you to. But 1 mean in the
city you could become--oh, 1 don't
know just what but it would be
better than being here. You have no
right to ask girl to live here away
from every one and everything, with
no place to go and nothing to do.
That's what I mean
Il guess you are right he said,
slowly. 81 forgot that what 1 call
everything means little to you-these
nils and the pines and the river and
call everything-the city with it's
noise and it's business and ALL know
SO little about that. II should not
have asked you" And before she
could stop him he had gone
When she awoke in the morning
her last day on the farm-Walter had
been long in the fields, so she had no
chance to see him again; and, some
how, although she hated farm life"
there was an ache in her heart as she
looked back upon the hills with their
beauty and their wonderful appeal
ingness.
When she reached the city she had
a strange feeling of being out of
the roar and the ceaseless, nervous
hurrying of feet grated on her. 1T
did not seem like real life; it seemed
artificial. She tried to bury the feel
ing in her old place in society. but
she constantly caught herself longing
for beauty and the soothing quiet of
the Ozarks.
Then one day she was astonished
to see Walter trudging down city
street. She wanted to call to him to
find out why he was there, but her
car whisked her away. Several times
thereafter she saw him, but he did
not see her.
Finally one Saturday afternoon he
Natural Park.
Isn't it wonderful park?'' he querie6
You know can make myself stand the
city just about SO long. but when Satur
day afternoon and Sunday come 1 have
to get out here in the woods and tramp
and tramp. 1t is the best substitute 7
have for my old Ozark hills
do you like the eity?" she asked.
Did you think 1 would like it?-lixe
where and the lying and stealing that L
find is more common in every form ct
business than I ever supposed in ary-
thing tolerated by a decent community?
How could / like it?''
Yes, 1 know. But a man with your IT.
tegrity and your strength will soon make
a success here"
mo, you are wrong I will succeed,
but it will not be soon In the first place.
far as it keeps their employees from
stealing from them They prefer people |
who obey exactly their commands AS to |
strength what can 1 do with that in ar |
office? Ny big muscles are JUST in the
way there. I get tangled up with my
char legs, and / haven't learned yet how
to tuck myself under flat-top desk Be-
sides will keep thinking about the hills +" |
walter. you mustn't feel that way
abou. it. You will succeed
ct know it. 1t will be because of the |
inspiration I have shall not have to |
ask a girl again to be farmers wirc. /
but it will be many years before 1 can |
give her the living here that can back |
on the old farm"
When spring came again Lucy could |
scarcely wait for the time her mother /
and she had set for the trip to the ozarhs.