Sioux County pioneer., 1922-08-24
CHAPTER III

i II
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CHAPTER III
p
Three weeks later, Robert Fairchild
sat In the smoking compartment Of
the Overland Limited, looking at the
Rocky mountains in the distance. In
his pocket were a few hundred dol
lars; In the bank In Indianapolis
few thousand, representing the final
proceeds Of the sale Of everything that
had connected him with a rather
dreary past. Out before him
Three weeks had created meta
morphosis IN what had been a plod-
ding, matter-of-fact man with dreams
which did not extend beyond his led
gers and his gloomy home-but now
man leaning his head against the win
dow Of rushing train, staring ahead
toward the Rockies and the rainbow
they held for him. Back to the place
where his father had gone with
dreams aglow was the son travelling
now-back into the rumpled noun
tains where the blue haze hung low
and protecting as though over mystic
ries and treasures which awaited one
IMAM and one alope. It thrilled Fair
child, it caused his heart to tug and
pull-nor could be tell exactly why.
The hills came closer. Still closer;
then, when It seemed that the train
must plunge straight into them, they
o{n
some optical illusion, and brooded in
the background, as the long, trans
continental train began to bang over
the frogs and switches as 1t made its
entrance into Denver. Fairchild went
through the long chute and to ticket
window.
when can get a train for Ohadi7"
The ticket seller smiled. ''You can't
get one"
"But the map shows that railroad
runs there"
"Ran there, you mean," chaffed the
clerk. 'The best you can do is to
get to Forks Greek and walk the rest
.Of the way. That's narrow-gauge
1ine, and Clear creeks been on a ram
page. It took out about two hundred
feet Of trestle, and there won't be
train into Ohadi for week. Stranger
out here?'
every much of one"
"In hurry to get to Ohadi?"
"Yes.''
'"Then you can go uptown and hire
"a taxi-they've got big cars for noun
tain work and there are good roads
:all the way. It'll cost fifteen or
twenty dollars. Or"
Fairchild smiled. "Give me the other
system If you've got one. Tn not ter
ribly long on cash-for taxis."
Certainly. No use spending that
money If you've got little pep, and
It isn't matter Of life or death. Go
mp to the Central loop anybody can
direct you-and catch a street car for
Golden. That eats up fifteen miles
and leaves just twenty-three miles
more. Then ask somebody to point
out the road over Mount Lookout.
Machines go along there every few
aninutes-no trouble at all to catch a
ride. You'll be in Ohadl in no time."f
Fairchild obeyed the instructions,
and in the baggage room rechecked his
trunk to follow him, tightening his
travelling bag at the same time until
It carried only necessities. A lunch
con. then the street car. Three quar-
ters Of an hour later, he began the
Ave-mile trudge up the broad, smooth,
carefully groomed automobile high
way which masters Mount Lookout. A
fumbling sound behind him, then he
stepped to one side, grimy truck
driver leaned out to shout as he
L passed:
"Want d lifti Hop ont Can't
et0p-too much grade.
"A running leap, and Fairchild seat
ed himself on the tailboard Of the
truck, swinging his legs and looking
out over the fading plains as the
truck roared and clattered upward
along the twisting mountain road.
Upward. still upward! The town
below became merely a checkerboard
thing, the lake dot Of cleaning sill
yer, the stream a scintillating ribbon.
stretching of into the foothills. "A
turn, and they skirted a tremendous
Z valley, it's slopes falling away in sheer
descents from the roadway. A dark
ened, moist stretch Of road, fringed by.
pines, then jogging Journey over roll
ing table-land. At last came a voice
\ from the drivers seat. =
.sTurn OF up here at Genesee noun.
tain. Which wav- do you go7''
Trying to get to Ohadi." Fairchild
shouted 1t above the roar Of the en-
3 gtne. The driver waved a hand for
ward. s; 555-5
Keep TO the main read. Drop on
when make the turn.,' Il
Thanks for the lift.r q; s.
s .Aw, forget II. n y
The truck wheeled from the main
road and chugged away, leaving Fair.
child afoot. making as much progress
& az possible toward his goal until good