The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-04-09
FINDING A NEW LIFE
BY EcsERT wARRINe.


Within the space of brief fitting
minute, Doctor Alternately spoke half
a dozen words that pronounced the
seeming doom of Walter Thorpe
Within an hour the young man in ques-
ton had analyzed the situation and
was phiIosophically resigned to ii.
Within the week Thorne saw new
name on the glittering plate glass win
dows, paid up all his debts, sent to his
uncle in another city the capital he
had supplied to start him in business
and gave up his elegant club.
Walter was sorry. but resigned He
counted up his resources. all liquid,
and amounting to some twenty thou
sand dollars.
He had donated half of that to
school for INDECENT Juveniles. Five
thousand dollars he had sent to a
poor, remote relative. He calculated
that $1,000 would be abundant to die
on, and the other four went in indis
criminate charity.
Walter finally settled on the Ozark
mountain region as a final destina-
tion. He approached 1t by SLOW
stages. The last 100 miles he made
ON foot. He felt weary at times. The
lack of hope and ambition gave him a
motiveess sensation. One thing he
noticed, however: He was eating with
an appetite now. rarity for ten years
past.
One evening he was belated by
storm between towns. He remained
within the shelter of mountain cave
till the rain had passed on 1t was aft
er midnight when he reached a rail
road junction. 1t was to view move
and unaccustomed spectacle.
Local freight trains were standing
on different tracks, headed in various
directions. Lanterns were flashing ev
erywhere, and the scene was one OF
extraordinary activity. All kinds OF
vehicles were standing beside the cars
unloading their contents, long, ,oN
boxes, nailed tightly and handled with
care.
What is in thoae boxes?" Walter
ventured to ask.
Strawberries" was the explanation
within eighteen hours they will be on
the home tables Of every big city tr
the middle West!"
Then Walter knew that he was at
the main shipping point of the great
est berry producing section in the
country.
One old woman with only two cases
carried them to the cars with the aid
Of her aged husband. Two boys had
carried their boxes in a little wagon
to which was attached two dogs. Wal
ter experienced renewed interest az
be saw a common hand cart appear
A girl navigated it, a strap running
harnesslike from the propelline
handles across her shapely shoulders,
In the weird, flickering light about
her she was q rare picture of earnest,
healthful industry. There was
CHEEKY token of duty and vitality in
her beautiful face that enchained Wal
ter. He asked man who she was.
That's Meta Oliver" was the re-
ply; "the sweetest lassie on Beaver
creek. Her father and mother are
both i'll, and she has buckled down to
keeping the flour barrel full, like the
jewel she is.'
Walter stopped at hotel that night
Ho could not get the face and name
of the girl he had seen out Of his
mind. The next day he made some
further inquiries about the Oliver fam
ily. He found that they were too poor
to afford horse and wagon. He pit
led the girl, who night after night
did the service of beast OF burden,
dragging the rackety handcart over
the uneven country roads. He made
whimsical resolve. Two mornings
later, seated in a stout, light wagon
with a sturdy horse attached, he drove
into the yard Of the little 20-acre farm
where Meta Oliver lived.
She was among the vines, wearing
a neat, coverall apron. Her radiant
eyes somewhat abashed him as he
asked for her father He found the
latter and his wife seated comfortably
J on the porch of the little cottage, con,
valescing from an attack of chills and
fever.
"Ive heard of you, Mr.. Thorne,
spoke Walter. 81 am an invalid In
quest of health | like this spot.
Could you board me Tor few wceks?'
And then Walter went on to tell
that he had a little money, but that
he would give the rig he had bought
for a months board.
For so golden days Walter Thorne
found new interest in life. He be-
came a real worker-and a lover Day
by day the gentle, lovable Meta grew
more and more precious to him. Her
, parents we're up and about now, and
the one desire of the father was to Sc
cure an additional 80 acres Of land.
1t would mean a fortune Ia time, he
claimed, and then Walter was sorry
ne had given away his fortune.
One day Walter went to town. He
o proceeded to the Office OF tie leading
: physician. He left 1t with an eager,
K hopeful face.