The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1922-03-31

ed our steeds, turned our heads from
civilization and faced the wild and
woody mountains, which we had come
to Eastern Kentucky to ste.
We rode for several hours with
out meeting with anything more than
an occasional mountaineer and as
the day wore on it seemed nothing
was going to happen after all. About
one O'Clock we stopped at little cab
in and with a tale about having rid
den since daybreak in the service Of
the Red Cross, we begged delicious
lunch of eggs and buttermilk.
After spending about, an hour at
this place we started on. We were
just beginning to realize our route
was quite short after all-yes the
overseer had Judged on us. He had
purposely given us short route that
we might get back carly. Then we
got to thinking how we would be
leased If we went back even at all so
after riding some more in silence we
halted and formed the decision, and
to make it more business like, we
shook hands on the proposition that
we would spend the night away from
Van Lear or die.
When this was once settled and all
thought of going home forsaken; the
rest was easy. When we came to
the cross roads we took the one lead
ing FROM Van Lear and rode on for
a little way when we came to love
" little mountain cabin surrounded
by clinging rambler roses that seem
ed almost ready to burst into bloom.
An old stone walk led up to the house
and a huge rock cistern graced the
corner of the yard and its crystal
waters proved somewhat refreshing
to the two tired Red Gross" work
ers.
Mountain kindness-as always
prevailed and we were quickly asked
to spend the night and the invitation
was as quickly accepted. Our horses
were unsaddled and fed and we our
selves sat down to a most delicious
supper. We were served like Prin-
cesses, it seeming as if the two good
old people were afraid they would
not be kind enough to us. In the
evening after supper, as the stars
first began to peep out, we seated
ourselves on the broad stone steps
and while the dear old lady smoked
her brier pipe we thought of the ter
rible wrath that would decend upon
us on the morrow when we must face
the manager and overseer and beg
forgiveness for having kept their
horses overnight However, we
could not spoil the setting with such
a terrible thought, so we proceeded
to gossip with the old woman about
innumerable immaterial things.
After meditation" hour we were
invited to join family prayer and
scarcely before the last traces of day
were gone we were nestled all snug
in big, downy feather-bed, but not
to sleep-No, far from that. Twas
tumble and roll, roll and tumble un-
til dawn. then two sleepy-eyed ad-
venturesses, stiff and sore from yes
terday's ride, mounted their steeds
and started homeward through hea-
Wy mountain shower.
Van Lear was perhaps only about
thirty minutes ride away but due
to the drenching shower 1t took us
somewhat longer to cover the dis
lance. We rode fast and We rode
slow, we rode together and we rode
apart. but no position or gait was
satisfying for a great burden rested
upon our shoulders.
About seven o'clock We reached the
overseer's home, which is next door
to ours. We had every word plan
ned to say. in fact, We had drilled
ourselves from the time we started.