The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1919-11-13
The Dreamer
80
BY oTlLL1A F. PFE1FFER
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- BY oTlLLIA F. PFE1FFER s.
Copyright. 1919. by the Western News
paper Unton.)
The south branch of the Eastern
Central railroad had it's terminus Mt
Weston. Five miles south was Belle
vile and bus was always in waiting
for passengers for that point. The
fare was only dime, yet young
man who left the train and whose des-
tination was Belleville did not take
the waiting conveyance, but started
down the smooth country road on
foot.
He had reason for wishing to take.
the leisurely walk. His mind was fill
ed with memories. Down that same
road five years previously he had limp
ed, footsore, just recovering from a
fit Of sickness, without home,
friends or money. His handsome, open
face clouded as he looked back to
that forlorn day. 1t frightened again
magically as what that lonely tramp
had led to required to him.
Day Of all days, the start in new
career that had led to ambition and
fortune-how he cherished the men,
DRY. He took from his pocket card.
Upon it was written four names. They
were Lolita Burt, Neal Brooke, Jane
Adams, Abner Wise. One by one he
spoke them, lingering fondly, long
ingly over each. Lolita Burt. 1t was
at her home that he had paused that
day of destiny in the past. Now it
was as If only yesterday, so vivid was
his remembrance. He was nearly ex-
hausted as she came around the house
to regard him with manifest pity in
her sweet, bonny face. The story he
told brought the tears to her gentle
eyes and then she invited him into the
house and called her aged father.
Goods own people," spoke Wylie
Barnes reverently the next morning,
when he left the house after night
of grateful rest and Strengthening
meals, an old but sound pair of shoes
on his blistered feet, and this angel
Of the house, Lolita. waving him an
adieu Of friendly encouragement.
DR.. Neal Brooke, superannuated
clergyman, he had met nearer the
town center. Subsisting on pitiful
charity stipend the good old man,
whose only desire in his failing years
was for books and little less of
worry over food supplies, had taken
a fatherly interest in Wylie. 1t was
through his influence that neighbor,
widow, Jane Adams, had consented
to trust Wylie for board and lodging
until he got work. That came the
next day with Abner Wise, cooper.
whose whole dream was to find enough
capital to patent slack barrel wire
device that he had invented. W
Within month Wylie Barnes was
comfortable, full OF hope and happy
this latter because the four sterling
hearted helpers he had found became
true friends, and because Lolita seer1-
ed glad to have him drop in twice a
week evenings.
The sweet. Supplemented girl was
revered divinity to him and she
recognized in him a manliness and
earnestness that made her glad to well
come him.
At the end of six months Wylie babe
his four loyal friends goodbye. 1t
was to Lolita only, however. that he
revealed his plans and prospects.
can old partner of mine has writ
ten me about a new gold discovery in
the far northwest" he related. "a1fd
I am going going to cast my lot in
with him. But I am coming back
soon as I make respectable pile
Belleville shall see me settle down.
And l am going to remember all you
dear, true friends. l am going to
bring to Doctor Brooke the finest IL
brary money can buy. That queen Of
womanhood. Mrs. Adams, shall have
the, kitchen range and piano she has
longed for so many years. Abner
Wise, I am going to provide with all
the capital necessary to develop his
great invention
ooh. you delightful dreamer" cried
Lolita playfully, but with confidence
in her glowing eyes.
"And you, Lolita" added Wylie ten
derby. II will lay at your feet the
treasures of the world, if they are
mine to give"
Then he was gone, and now he had
returned and one hour later he stood
Mt the door of the old Burt home to
find It in new hands, John Burt dead.
and Lolita, he was told, was making a
livelihood as housekeeper for a neigh
Dor farmer.
He came upon Lolita in her new
home among some berry bushes. She
dropped the dish in which she was
gathering the luscious fruit and fair
" tottered.
Wylie led her to a grassy hummock.
Mrs. Adams, the old minister, Mr..
Wise-yes, they were all alive, and
then Wylie exuberated over his mar
velous story Of wealth. What hap