The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1922-03-09

upon the pialn. 1t was delightful
site, at the foot of the valley range
for the city which now adorns the
spot. AS the trail ran in those days
the distance is nine miles to Gold
Hill, the summit of the valley range
where our companions had a mining
claim which, after much hard work,
yielded nothing.
Color can be found almost any
where in those hills but not in pay
ing quantity. In this instance, the
printer went back to his case and the
farmer to his plow.
From that elevation we had a glor-
ious view of the Holy Cross, formed
by the snow in the depressions of
the Snowy Range where eternal win
ter reigns.
On the coign OF vantage where we
stood, a touch of winter was inter
jected by light fall of snow on the
Fourth of July.
Ny pal and myself, neither of US
interested in mining claims, loitered
through some delightful summer
days at our camp in Boulder. Large
game was abundant, evidences of
which were strewn about our camp ::
a rams head of a mountain sheep
with its immense curved corrugated
horns I estimated would weigh any
where from twenty-five to fifty
pounds. The legend that such an
animal to outstrip its pursuers, will
leap from high eminence to a shelf
below, landing on its head, protected
by its horns, is nonsense. A noun
tain lion left one of its fore arms
with its formidable claws for our in
spection.
South of the creek, close at hand,
rises a group of rocky, pointed es-
carpments, a feature which adds to
the interest of mountain scenery.
On a sunny Sunday morniig, my
pal and I stood on the banks of the
swift+fowing Boulder, and looking
south through a young forest growth
we were surprised at the distant ap-
proach of a Vision; it might have
fallen like Lucifer from heaven.
In that wild, desolate region we
could not imagine that woman was
nearer than five hundred miles of US
suddenly she emerged from the
thick, young forest and stood upon
the bank of the creek directly across
from where we stood; the stream at
that point is of considerable width,
and crossed by a long, narrow, un-
even foOtlOg.
The Vision, like Magnify, was
dressed in her best Sunday clothes,
a neat gingham frock, if you please,
and for looks she was not to be de-
spised. The Vision, seeing US stand
ing on the opposite bank, hesitated
for minute, when Jim with the gal
lantry of a true Knight, skipped
along the footlog, offered his services,
took her by the hand, daintily, back
ed along the knotty, narrow log, lead
ing his divine charge.
1t was an unforeseen, extraordinary
noteworthy display (for me); but
Jim was stout as a mule and backed
over the knots with surprising agil-
ity; when his heel backed against an
unusual knot and Hercules swayed,
I held my breath, prudently forbear-
ing lest a word of caution should
make matters worse for the current
was swift, and not inviting as to
depth. They reached the center of
the stream in triumph when Jim's
cautious heel struck an unusual knot
and down he went a-straddle OF the
log like the letter x; but holding on
to the Vision with desperate grip
and she to him verify.
The Vision, sure-footed as the
gazelle, smiled serenely and stood
stedfast; but the difficulty was at
hand like the angeLwhich disputed
the advance of Baalim and his ass.
Jim, with an uncertain fOothold must
get onto his feet somehow; but he
had unsuspected help in the Vision;
with her aid he rose nearly upright;
but swayed at a frightful angle and
I cried, go Jim! for the love Of Me
indyl don't go overheard and drag
the Vision with youv' Hercules
made mighty effort and the Vision
pulled and lifted with all her might
and Jim and the party of the second
part were saved! Now, my pal was
bafied and much abashed on reach
ing the shore; but he was a hero all
the same, and the Vision was no
sIouch eitheri