Evening star., 1928-08-04
THE EVENING STORY

The old man nodded Now for the
| salve." For nearly 20 minutes he
rubbed steadily and gently, working out
| the soreness, working in the healing
compound.
with the relief from pain Reese had
! time to study this stranger who had
come to his assistance as naturally as
his mother would have come,
"One might think he remarked
that you were used to having people
pitched out of passing trains into the
middle of your camp at night"
The old man glanced up with a
twinkle. Il amt never had it happen
just this way before"
Are you, what they call, a prospec-
tor?"
"Yep. Been up and down these
Rockies for nigh onto 20 year, now"
Reese watched him curiously, wonder
ing how far desert etiquette allowed per-
sonal questions The two could still
hear people working about the wreck.
They saw the fash Of automobile lights
and heard the authoritative voice of a
doctor. Evidently assistance had been
found in some nearby town.
isn't 1t pretty lonesome life?"
Reese asked.
We'll. now. most any life is pretty
lonesome, amt it? I mean" he went
on seeing the others puzzled look, I'VE
mostly got 10 depend on ourselves, amt
we?"
"well-'ell. yes, I suppose that's right
But there's not much in it, is there?"
Money, you mean? Prob'bly they'S
different ways o'lookin' at that. How
much you think you got depends on
how much you want"
And have you all you want?" Reeses
Id -f~
few blankets, blackened kettle and fry
ing pan, two worn pack saddles. q can
vas bag, of food probably, swung in the
forks of low-spreading pinion. A cou-
pie Of gray burros dozed contentedly in
the outer rim of the freight.
Don't look like much to you," said
the old man with a smile. But you
see. what want and what I got go
right along together" He looked up
as If about TO put a question, then
| thought better Of 1t.
Il know what you're thinking" said
Reese. you're wondering if mine go to-
gether. They don't. They never did. /
wouldn't want them to-"
The old man nodded placidiy. It'd
be neck Of a world If we all wanted
the same thing. wouldn't it?"
He slipped bride over the head of
one Of the burros. saddled the animal
and laid thick pad Of blankets atop.
Wen go find the rest, now?"
But, ] don't need TO ride" Reese
had an uncomfortable picture of him
/ self aStride the diminutive mount.
You can get off fore we come In
sight O. anybody" the old man told him
understanding him so perfectly that
Reese was embarrassed But you
oughta keep off that foot all you can
/ for two or three days. "Twon't give YOU
a bit O. trouble If you do that
| Reese mounted gingerly. the burro
standing solidly under his awkward
movements. Are they always as pa
| tient as that?" he asked.
Well, all of ems generally patient
! outside. And If they're broke right
they're patient inside"
| Seeing that Reese was again puzzled
| the old man explained.
ITS jest question o. sense They're
! just like kids. You can whack 'em into
mindin' and get the work done in a
kind Of way. But ever time they get
a chance they'll run off from you. Then
you can be what you think is awful
kind 10 EN-, and feed 'en too many oats.
And just as sure as Sin they'll kick lIn
their heels and run off the same. What
bruteS needs and what kids needs is
some dicypline and some pattin and a
whole heap o. understandin. But kicks
and too many oats-them two things
don't go"
Oscar l.. Reese, digesting this phil-
oSophy while he was guided through the
velvet blackness Of the desert night.
thoughtfuliy muttered 'H-mmp!"
Il (T'he End
Copyright. 1921