The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-04-24
THEU6HT
IN THF RLEARIN[1
A TALE OF THE NORTH COUNTRY
IN THE TINE OF SILAS WRIGHT
~
IRVINE HAEHELLER
ri

AUTHOR o.
EsEN HOLDEN DRi AND l. Darrell or THE BLESSED ISLES
KEEPING UP WITH LIZZIE. ETC, ETC

1naI week q letter came TO me from
the senator. announcing the day Of
Mrs. Wright's arrival in Canton and
asking me to meet and assist her in
getting the house to rights. 1 did so.
She was a pleasant-faced, amiabIe
woman and a most enterprising house
cleaner. 1 remember that my first
task was mending the wheelbarrow.
Il don't know what SiIas would do
if he were to get home and find his
wheelbarrOw broken" said she. 1T is
almost an inseparable companion of
his"
The schoolmaster and his family
were fishing and camping upon the
river, and so I lived at the senator's
house with Mrs. Wright and her moth
er until he arrived. What wonderful
house it was, in my view! was awed
| by its size and spIendOr, its soft car
pets and shiny brass and mahogany.
Yet it was very simple.
/ hOed the garden and cleaned its
paths and moved the dOOryard and did
some painting in the house.
The senator returned to Canton that
evening on the WATERFOWL stage. He
| greeted me with fatherly warmth.
Again I felt that strong appeal to my
eye in his broadcloth and fine linen
and beaver hat and in the splendid
dignity and courtesy of his manners
I've had good reports of you, Bart
ond Pm very glad to see YOU" he said.
ST believe your own marks have
been excellent in the last year." I ven
tUred.
Poorer than 1 could wish. The
teacher has been very kind to me-" he
laughed. "What have you been study
ing?"
Latin q always mentioned the
Latin first, algebra, arithmetic. gram
mar, geography and history"
He asked about my aunt and uncle
and 1 told him of all that had befaller
US, save the one thing of which 1 had
spoken only with him and Sally.
81 shall go up to see them soon," he
said.
The people of the little village had
learned that he preferred to be let
alone when he had just returned Ovel
the long. wearisome way from the
scene of his Iabors. So we had the
evening TO ourselves.
Mrs. Wright, being weary after the
days work, went to bed early and, a
his request. I sat with the senator by
| the fire for an hour or so. I have al
ways thought it a lucky circumstance
for he asked me to tell of my plans
and gave me advice and encourage
ment which have had a marked effect
upon my career.
l remember telling him that l wished
to be lawyer and my reasons for it
He told me that q lawyer was either {
pest or a servant of justice and tina
his chief aim should be the promotion
of peace and good will in his commun
ity. He promised to try and arrang
for my accommodation in his Office il
the autumn and meanwhile to lend M
some books to read while 1 was a
home.
Before we go to bed let US have
settlement" said the senator. evil
; you kindly sit down at the table Their
and make up a statement of all tn
, time you have given me?"
made out the statement very neat
, ly and carefully and put it in hi
hands.
. ''That IS well DONE" said he. ST sha
wish you to stay until the day after tC
morrow, if you will. So you will pleas
add another day"
1 amended the statement and he pal
me the handsome sum of seven dollar:
I remember that after I went to m