The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1914-11-13

fES[1Sr[J9A VI lLSLA DNt~NNAAN'
tA2J some of them symbolic of
endless and terrible thirst
There are three thirstS in this world:
That for wealth; the one for life; great
est of all, the thirst for love.
The first and the last expression of
our civilization is the locked door, and
from Nhe time the primal carpenter
laid down his tools and went within
his rude house the door has stood for
all time a defense and an opportunity.
In the long vista of life we find many
locked doors and gates-dOors to hap
pineSs, to life and to love.
Fancy to yourselves thirsty men
knocking with scared knuckles on
these doors. Then realize that sooner
or later experience tells them that they
cannot enter without a key. "Who
holds the master key to all these lock-
ed doorsr ne cry.
This was the silent question in the
hearts of two men, YEARLY struggling
through the sage brush t. .rd the
-lp-r -.i@ca4 or7-IEOa ssa-a- IScinto noun
tails in southern California.
'T WONDER" said Thomas Gallon, fin
gering his prOspector's guide, whether
we will find that gold-the gold the
Indians told US about. Yes, i must
find that gold"
you don't seem to realize that you
have a partner" snaried Wilkerson.
''You are always talking about Ill
Haven't got a share in this? Haven't
dug up money? And yet you don't
seem to think that I've any concern in
this matter"
Excuse me. partner" said the other
man, fixing his dim gaze on the noun
tain. Pm always thinking of that girl
of mine. You know she's in school. and
she's got to have good education, and
I've got to work to pay for it. Excuse
me. partner; you know l did not mean
1t that way, but when remember her
mother He broke off abruptly, and
both men stopped.
"Her mother?" asked Wilkerson.
Eyes, her mother" chOked Gallon.
''The girl deserves the best there is in
this world. I'm all she's got. and, by
heavens"-he shook his fist toward
the distant blue hills-"she shall have
it il have TO tear that mountain apart
with my finger nails"
"WelI," said Wilkerson impatiently,
'1et's camp. I'm thirsty"
They stopped in the shade of the fall
low plume of the Yucca and made their
little fire for coffee. but before the
blaze was well started Wilkerson
picked up the water bag and took a
long drink. His companion suddenly
flashed in anger.
Say. partner" he said sternly, that
water has to last US clear to the noun
tains."
WilkerSon flung his head back and
laughed. 'Why worry? Don't you see
the snow there on San Jacinto peak?
That means creeks down every raVine
and gulch."
Instantly Gallons eyes dulled. He
seemed to once more subside into a
dream.
There's where they said the gold !
was" he muttered. I'm one OF them |
gulches up there. Cod! Gold! Say,
Wilkerson. We'll get that gold, but we
must save the water l didn't mean |
any harm, partner, for calling YOU |
down for drinking that water, but I've |
got to get that gold"
WilkerSOn once more reached for the
water and took long draft.
Il guess this will last till we reach
those foothills" he said. But his CON-
panion paid no attention to him, stol-
Idly preparing their slender meal Of
coffee and beans.
When they had eaten Gallon brusque-
II motioned to Wilkerson to clean up
the camp and then silently started up
the gulch.
81 never heard of finding gold by
his partner muttered to
himself LET the old man dig around
II be wants to- And Immediately once
more be yielded TO his physical desires,
this time for sleep.
Gallon steadily trudged around the
bluff, following the stream as best he
could until he knpyU fhat ho pCaS ahSn.