The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-11-04

ton right on that But there's Just
one thing I'm In doubt about How
I'm going TO square II with you for the
service you have given My cash Is
getting low. and"
Don't worry about that ! gener-
ally size up my customer an bill him
accordingly II he has lots of money.
an seems likely to part with II fool
ishly. ! put Ms much Of II as I can in
safe Keeping But there isn't any
money fee as far Ms you're concerned
Fact Is. kinda figure on trading this
bill out with you. expect to be row
ing this country, east an west. for
some years Ia come. an I've a little
policy Of establishing depOts hei~ an
there--places where I can drop IN for
n square meal an sleep an bit Of
western hospitality Places. too. II
you like, where there are men 10 say
a good word for Alcck McCrae. IIow's
that suit your"
Harris took his friends hand in
warm grip. lie rightly guessed that
McCrae was not bartering his services
for hospitality. but was making II
easy for Harris to accept them by ap.
pearing to bargain for n service In re-
turn. So they shook hands together
on the side of the bank overlooking
the little coulee and as they looked
In each others eyes Harris realized
for The first time that McCrne was
still yoang man. A sense Of com
radeship came over him-a feeling
that This man was more Of brother
than n father. With admring eyes
he looked on McCrae's fine face, his
broad shoulders. his wonderful ply
Sique. and the question he asked
sprang from his lips before he could
arrest Il.
why don't you get married. MacT
who. meT" said McCrae. laughing:
hut Harris detected tone in his
voice that was not all happiness. and
the thought came To him that Nc
Crae's craving for hospitality might
root deeper than he supposed
TITS long ride to the land office"
continued McCrae, IAN you can't file
minute too soon. We'd better find
'orner post an make sure of the mum
her Of this section an put as much
road behind us as we can tonight"
After filing AT the land office Harris
eturned nj once TO the Arthurs' home
stead. The news that the Harrises
were To be neghbors within 10 miles
was received with enthusiasm by both
Fred and Lillian Arthurs. But Har-
ris was now consumed with burning
energy; he allowed himself only
precious half day at the home Of the
Arthurses, babe his wife an affection
ate farewell. and, with CHEEKY good
by To the warm friends on the home.
stead, he was away down the trail to
Emerson.
On arrival at Emerson one Of the
first men he met was Tom Morrison.
The two pioneers shook hands warm
~ and In a few words Harris told of
having selected his claim. waxing en-
slmsiastic over the locality in which
his lot was TO be cast.
81 must get out there myself said
Morrison
DO" Harris urged. There are
some other fine quarters I'm the neigh
horhoud. and nothing would be better
than to have you on one of them"
The west-bound trip was made I'm
good time, although not without diff
Guilty at some points i'm the road. and
before the tenth Of April Harris was
hack under the shelter of Arthurs'
roof He was for pressing on alone in
The morning. but he found that his
wife had made all her plans to ac-
company him and would listen neither
to persuasion nor reason.
"But, Mary. there's no house. and no
shelter, and no eighbors-nothing but
sky and grass as far as you can see
"All the more reason I should GO"
she answered. "If you have to rough
Il In the open you at least deserve
your meals cooked for you. and such
other help as woman can give. |
really must be with you. really
must. John, and you know-rm GO
ng."
So nj last he consented. The sup
plies Of provisions were increased, and
together they set out TO wrestle their
fortunes from the wilderness.
On arrival AT the homestead the
Young wife Immediately gave evidence
hat she intended to bear her full
share of the pioneers duties. A com
Daratively dry spot was found among
he little poplars. and here she built
tent with blankets and bit of rag |
'arpet that came in most handy for
such purposes. Their stove was set |
ip. and although II smoked stubborn
" for lack of draught, II furnished |
heat for cooking, and when Jack re-
urned from lettering the horses the
smell of frying ham and hot tea struck |
MS nOstrils.
"Wel. that's better than rustling for |
myself, | will admit" he said.
That night, before the darkness had
gathered too deep, they selected the
'ite Of their house on the very bench |
hat McCrae had indicated II was |
,bOut an acre I'm extent. and stood
halfway between the prairie level and |
he bottom Of the cOulee, where
'mall river was now running.
L was quite dark when they sought
he cover of their little tent and the
wolves were bowling far down the ra-