The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-08-10

that the cost Of driving the timber
down the shallow stream to the faroff
mills would be perhaps prohlbitive
words fairly leaped to the boys lips.
But they-they won't be drivin' that
timber by floods when they git to
tackiin' these here valieysi" he en-
claimed. "0ld Tom ses when they
really git TO lumberin' these mountains
they'll skid Il daown 10 the railroad
tracks and yank II out by steamr'
That sober statement In the piping
voice had a strange effect upon All
son. He leaned forward, a sort OF
guarded establishment In his attitude.
to peer at the childish face in the FIRE
glow. Then he seemed to remember
that Il was Just q BIT Of a woods waif
who had spoken. But Caleb, who was
lazy Drained In some matters, sensed
that Steve had put into words ALI
sons own unspoken thought. Just as
Allison at that moment voiced the
question which he was about to utter
himself.
81 suppose II was this--this Old Tom
who taught you all these things you
know about TIMBER" he said. curious.
Steve pondered the question.
"wal-l-l. yes" he answered at last
"Old Tom learned me some, but-but
most Of II kind OF feel as II I always
knowed."
The boy was fast asleep, curled up
beneath the blankets, when Caleb final
ly preached that night the matter
which had kept him awake the entire
night before. And when be had nn-
ishcd Allison sat quiet for a long time
before he offered any reply.
you mean he began at length.
II just mean that I'm going to give
him his chance" Caleb cut in. His
voice was hushed. but vehement.
"why. man. think what he has this
minute 10 start with-a brain as clear
as a diamond. absolutely fresh, abso-
lutely unspolled or tagged with the
nonsensical folderol which makes up
the bulk Of the usual boys education
Of his age. and a working knowledge.
for instance. Of this north country
which most men envy! Why. the pos
sibilities are limitlessl"
Allison pulled his pipe In silence.
"No doubt you're right" he admit
ted ''In ten years, with a technical
education TO back up his practical
knowledge. he might prove priceless to
some one who had need Of such q
specialist. always assuming. Of course.
that he developed according to prom
ise But the possibilities are limitless,
too. In the other directions. aren't
theyf"
"Meaning" invited Caleb.
swell. You don't know any too much
concerning his antecedents. do your
Allison suggested. "And stiIr'-
II don't have to-" Caleb interrupted.
mot after one look at him"
-"and still II you catch boy young
enough" Allison finished serenely.
you can make a fairly presentable
gentleman out OF almost any material.
with time enough and money enough
to teach him what to do"
you can" Caleb came back. "but.
no matter how much money you spend.
man out of him that knows without
being taught what not to dol They
they have 10 be born TO that. Dexter"
And there they let Il drop. But the
next morning when they were alone
upon the brook Caleb. after several
false starts. managed to reopen tho
subject with the boy himself.
Has It ever occurred to you. Steve"
he asked. that all these things you
know about the woods might be val
liable some day toto men who pay
well for such knowledgef
Steve paid no apparent heed to the
question untl be had landed a trout
which he had hooked a moment before.
II was a heavy fish, and Caleb had
promised to teach him how to handle
that ny rod. Then he looked up.
b once Old Tom sed they'd be payin'
me more'n he ever earned In his life
time Jest TO go araound and tell 'em
how much good lumber they was In
standin' trees. Is that-is that what
you meanr
"Partly-partly. but not entirely Ell
ther." Caleb went on. You said last
night that when they got to numbering
these mountains they'd be taking II
out by steam. When they do they'll
want men who know the woods. but |
they'll have TO know how to bridge
rivers and cross swamps too. won't
theyT
The boy promptly forgot his fishing. |
Knee deep In the stream. he faced |
squarely around toward Caleb. and |
from that glowing countenance the
man knew that he had only repeated |
something which long before had al |
ready fred the boys Imagination.
"They's places where l kin git 'em |
TO learn me them things, amt they 70
he demanded.
YES" said Caleb. there are places.
And you-you were thinking Of going
TO schoolT
"Thinkin' OF TIT" echoed Steve. ~
always been thinkin' OF IL. Why. thet's
all l come outen the timber ferr'
But you said you meant to locate
something to DO" the man argued,
after you had looked |