The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-11-25
a. AI10MA
g II m %
Copyright sta BY IN. sesss Mssvw
JOHN BRECKENRIDGE ELLIS
Copyright, 1918 BY the 0obbs. Mssviii
Company.

at yourself! Amt you always careful
In making your steps as II scared OF
breaking something? And now you're
out of breath!
II used to think she might be foolish
about Wilfred Compton. but Lahoma,
she amt foolish about nothing. New.
ertheless. Bill. 1t amt right Settlers
Is settlers, and what she yearns for Is
the big world
"Just so. But see how Greer county
is getting settled up. That's what's
going to save us, Brick. Civilization
Is coming to Lahoma. She won't have
TO go out cunning after IT.
"Of course I've thought Of that l
amt got your grammar. but my mind
don't have to wait to let I'm an Idea
after It's put Its clothes on. OF course
civilization Is a-creeping up to the
mountain. and l reckon by the time
Lahoma Is my age it'll be playing an
organ In church. But she's at the age
that calls for quick work. She's got
the rest Of her life to settle down in.
Most all Of a persons life Is spent In
settling, and It's BETTING to lay In the
foundation aforetime."
do you want Lahoma to have low
er. Brickr'
"Bill. II he is At I say she ought to
have a chance"
"And where are you going to find the
manT'
I'm going to help Lahoma find him.
I'm like you. Bill. hates that lover
Ike snake this minute. though I amt
no Idea who. where or what he is or
may be. l hates him. but amt going
to stand in Lahoma's way. No. sir. I
low to meet civilization halfway.
There II is-lookr'
Wilcox stood erect and pointed to-
ward the plain. where perhaps twenty
tents had been pitched within the last
two weeks. Bill gave an unwilling
glance. shrugged his shoulders disdain-
fully and resumed progress.
Wilcox continued: Two weeks ago
there wasn't nothing there but naked
sand. Now there's three saloons, a
hardware store. a grocery, a bank-all
of 'em under canvas-and the makings
Of a regular town. Right out there in
the broiling sun! Carloads Of lumber
and machinery Is on Its way, and the
stagecoach will be putting OF mail
there before long That's how civilixa-
ton Is a-seeking out our little gal
But l means to meet II halfway. Yes,
sir. l means to meet civilization half
way. I've already been prospecting.
There's party over there In Tent City
that's come on from Chicago just from
the lust Of seeing pioneer life at first
hand. people that haven't no idee Of
buying or settling It's a picnic to
them. They're camping out. watching
life develop-and what's life and death
earnestness to others is just amuse-
ment to them. That there's a test of
people high up. Real folks In the big
world don't do nothing: 1t takes all
their time just being folks"
They won't invite Lahoma to Chi
cago, not II they are the right sort"
They will invite Lahoma to Chi.
cago." retorted wilcox firmly. land
they are the RICH. sort. Wait and see,
and when you have saw render due
honor TO your Uncle Brick"
"Pardner. surs am glad to see You
put 'er there again! How are you
feeling. anyhow Look mighty tough
and wiry. do say. Here, BillT VII
lock raised his voice to a powerful
shout. "Bill. come and see what's
bowed In with the tumbleweed and
tickle grass
The tall bronzed man who was lead
Ing his horse along the road entering
touch Of gravity IN the light Of his gray
eyes. Only twenty-five or twenty-six,
his features were still touched with the
last lingering mobility Of youth. but
the set Of his mouth and the CLEAN of
his eyes limited at years Of battle 1
against storms, droughts and loneli-
ness. He was already a veteran Of the
prairie despite his youth.
Everything looks very natural"
Wilfred Compton, gazing
about ON the scanned walls Of granite
IN whose creyices the bright cedars
nocked at winters threatening hand.
yes, mountains Is lots more natural
han humans. They just sets there Sc 4
'ene and Indifferent, not caring wheth-
sr you likes their looks or not, and
hey let 'er blow and let 'er snow; it's
Ill one TO them. Wilfred. II you know
ID how glad l am TO see you again
Tou'd be sort OF scared, re kOn. think
ng you'd fell amongst cannlbals. Won
Ter where that aged trapper isr' He
shouted more Justify. and bristling
white head suddenly appeared on the
summit OF Turtle hill.
Great Scottv' yelled Bill Atkins.
ylaring down upon the approaching
igure. IF Il amt Wllfred Compton
lgain! Come on. come on! was new
II as glad to see anybody Ia all my
ifew
The young man looked M Wilcox
obviously. Hes very much
Iltered. then. since l met him last. I'm
Ifraid he has a gun hidden up there
mong the rocks"
"Oh NIX nuxr' rpfortQd Ni''opk |