The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-04-29
- T BY

! Landray boys have the MILF The old
general used to own distillery across
the race from IL; what became OF
that?"
Its there yet; Levi Tucker has II
now. He's got the tavern. too, and !
don't suppose he'd care 10 part With
either He's his own best customer:
Colonel Sharp says he's producer and
consumer both; allow you didn't
know the colonel?'
Again the stranger shook his head,
and the drivers placid voice just
pitched to carry above the rattle OF
wheels and the beat OF hoofs, droned
on. a colourless monotone OF sound.
II didn't suppose you did. he's since
your time. guess: he's editor OF the
Pioneer az Benson. and powerful
public speaker; reckon near about
as good rs old Webster himself only
he amt got the name. | don't remem-
Der ever seeing him but what he had
his left hand tucked In at the top OF
his wes'-coat. yes. reckon you might
say he was a natural born speaker;
when he gets stumped for q word he
just digs 1t up from one OF them dead
languages, and everything he says Is
as full OF meat as an egg; II makes
you puzzle and study. and think, ana
even then you don't really get what
he's driving at more than half the
time. He's a mighty strong tobacco
chewer. too, and spits clean as fox
why clean as a fox don't know"
| he added. but he was evidently much
pleased with this picturesque descrip-
| ton OF the colonels favourite vice.
The strangers glance had wander
ed down into the cool depths OF the
| valley. II was 90 years since his
eyes had rested on its peace and
calm: It's beauty OF sun and shade and
summertime: much OF his courage
and more OF his hope had gone In
those years he was coming back.
| wasted -and-worn, TO the -ApOt- he had
never ceased to speak OF and TO think
Of as home. He had looked forward
to this return for health. but he knew
now that the magic he had expected
In hia misery and inconsistencies was
not there: but he was inarticulate In
his suffering, and perhaps mercifully
enough did not know its depths 50
even his own rude pity for himself
was after all but the burlesque OF the
| tragedy he had lived. Yet there still
remained that greater purpose which
was to make the road smooth for the
child at his side where II had been
filled with difficulties for him: there
should be no more hardships, no more
OF those vast solitudes that Slapped
the life that filtered into them, that
crazed or brutalized: these he had
known; but these the boy should never
know. for him there should be ease
and riches-splendid golden riches;
his ignorance could scarce conceive
their limit. the possibilities were so
vast. Now he leaned far forward In
his seat. hunger for the sight OF some
familiar object pinched his face with
sudden longing.
tits mighty pretty" he said at last
with a deep breath.
diligently.
But the log cabins he had known
were gone. and frame houses painted
an unvarying white with vivid green
, blinds closed to the sun had taken
their place. To the east and to the
! west OF the town were waving fields
OF grain; with here and there an
island of dense shade where strip OF
woodland had been spared by the axe
Of the pioneer; on some OF the more
rugged hillsides from which the tim
Der had been but recently cleared the
blackened stumps were still standing.
A blur of sound rose from the valley.
II was like the droning OF bees.
That's the old Bently furnace I
hear, amt IT,
That's what It is," said Mr.. Bart.
lett
The stranger sank back with ges-
ture of WEAKNESS, IT'S a hell Of 4
ways to come" he said sourly. 1T
will be lot easier when they get the
railroads through here; that will
knock you. pardner," he added as .
pleasant afterthought.
II don't know about that" said Mr..
Bartlett quickly. II guess It's COINS
10 be a right smart while before We
hit on anything to beat HOSES; the
railroads IN all right a. far as they
20. but the stages Is here to stay.
reckon folks will always he in q hurry
for the mail"
We'll, I'd hate to think anything
the stranger with an ugly grin.
How far did you say you'd come"
inquired Mr.. Bartlett casually.
81 allow didn't say" said the
other briefly,
II reckon you Amt come any
further than Pittsburg." urged Mr..
Bartlett tentatively.
You reckon not?" and the stranger
smiled.
philadelphia? queried the driver.
No"
New York. maybe" cautiously.
II been there. but that amt q patch
on the distance I've come"
'Sailoring. maybe?"
Not any. | seen all the salt water
want to-
Sick" inquired Mr. Bartlett deep
ly interested.
IL like TO throw up my toes
You don't say"
Here the boy awoke with a start.
Are we there yet. Pop?" he asked.
rubbing his eyes sleepily.
The mans lips parted in smile.
That's Benson ahead OF us, son:
we're almost there. Them's the
church spires; and that round. dome
like things the courthouse that
you've heard me tell about" There
was not much OF the town to see be.
yond the roofs Of few buildings
which here and there showed among
the trees. but the child was deeply