The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-11-06


ycnturcd ~ last "we'l Just run II
down and perhaps poke n hole In IT,"
So saying. he cantcrrd along the road.
crossed the little n ream. and swung
up the hill on the farther side.
He was half way up when turn In
the road brought him into sudden
sight Of the strange visitor II was
the first he had seen. but he knew II
AZ once. for the fame of the automo-
bile. then In its sIngie-cylinder stage,
had already spread into the farthest
rnnchlng country. The horse was less
In rage and terror But the hoy was
conscious not so much OF the horse as
Of two bright eyes turned on him In
frank and surprised admiration.
"Whnt horsemanshlp she ex-
claimed. But the words had scarce
left her lips when they were followed
by a cry Of alarm. For the car had
taken a sudden turn from the road
and plunged into a growth Of young
poplnrs that fringed the hillside. II
half slid. half plowed Its way into a
seml.vertical position among the younk
trees. The two occupants were
thrown from their seat: the girl fell
, clear but her father was less fortu.
nate.
In an instant the boy had flung him
self from his horse. dropping the reins
to the ground. and the animal, al
though snorting and shivering had no
thought OF dlsgracing his training by
breaking his parole. With quick. I'M
calmly strides the boy brought himself
to the upturned machine. II was Gu
rious that he should appear to such
disadvantage on his feet. In the
saddle he was grace personlfied.
For a moment he looked somewhat
stupidity upon the wreck. Had II been
horse or a steer he would have
known the procedure, but this expert
ence was new to his life. Besides
there were strangers here. He had no
fear OF strangers when they wore
chaps and colored handkerchiefs. but
q girl In a brown sweater and an
oldish man with a white collar were
creatures TO be approached with eau
ton. The oldlsh man was lying on
the ground. with a leg pinned under
the car and Brown Sweater raised
his head against her knee and pressed
his cheeks with small white fingers
and looked at the boy with bright
gray eyes and said:
-Aren't YOU going to do anythingr
That brought him back. "Sure. he
said. sprlnging to her side. 'whada "
want me TO dor"
81 am afraid my leg IL broken" said
the man. speaking calmly notwith
standing his pain. Can you get the
jack out OF the toolbox and raise the
carp
The girl pointed TO the box.-and In
moment he had the jack In his
hand. But II was a new tool to him
and he fumbled with II stupidity. The
handle would not fit. and when IL did
at II operated the wrong way
"Oh. let me have It," she cried i'm
patiently.
In n moment she had II set under
the frame OF the car and was plying
the handle up and down with rapid
strokes. The boy looked on. helpless
and mortified. lie was beginning "a
realize that there were more things
In the world than riding a horse and
shooting bottles. He felt sudden
desire TO be Of great service. And
just now he could be OF no service
whatever.
But the foot OF the jack began tC
sink In the soft earth. and the girl
looked up helplessly.
ut won't lift H." she said what
shall we dor"
II was his chance. He was eighteen
and his wild. open life had given him
muscles OF steel Here" he said
roughly. "move his leg when l get II
clear" He turned his back to the
machine and crouched down until he
could get his hands under the steel
frame. Then he lifted. The car was
In a somewhat poised position. and he
was able TO swing II up far enough
to release the injured leg.
Every good. my boy" said the man
THAT was wonderful lift. The leg
Is broken-compound. Can you get
some way Of moving me to shelter
I will pay you we'll"
The last words were unfortunate,
Hospitality In the ranching country Is
not bought and sold.
"You cant pay me nothin'." he said
rudely. "But | can bring a light
wagon. II you can ride In that. and
put you up at the ranch. The old
mans soused." he added. as an after
thought. but it's better than sleepln'
out. | won't be long"
He was back at his horse. and In
a moment they heard the clatter OF
hoofs galloping down the hillside.
The girl rested her fathers head In
her lap. Tears made her bright eyes
brighter still.
Don't cry. Reenie." he said gently.
I'VE are very lucky TO be so close to
help. or course I'll be laid up for q
while. but II will give you a chance
TO see ranch life as Il really is" He
WINGED with pain but continued: II
fancy we shall find II plain and I'M
veneered. What horseman II
I n.