Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-05-10
ROCKVILLE. MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING. MAY 10 1920
The Prairie
Cabin
BY II. LOUIS RAYBoLD

NNopyTisnt'b
THE Widmans were moving, Pom.
Nom, Elfrida and half a dozen lii.
tie Wldmans.
II wasn't the first time the elders
among them had moved. Land, no
Originally, Pop Wldman had run
feed store in Calais, Maine, but that
was years ago, and In the meantime
they had lived In great many differ.
ent places.
Pops recent experiment raising al
falfa In Nebraska had proved educa
tional rather than profitable, and
move had seemed desirable. ANY
change to the Wldmans always ap.
pealed as a possible change for the
better. Yet each time Nom fingered
little more over her packing.
Elfrda accepted the journey stoi.
cally. Evidently not to her would ever
fall the wonderful reality of perma-
nent home.
The Widmans were travelling, as
many Westerners still do, In Gov
cred wagon not very different from
the covered wagons Of pioneer days
and pulled by two Unmatched farm
horses that would later be needed at
the pillow. This wagon served not
only as n place Of storage for their
household equipment but as sleeping
quarters for Nom, Elfrida and such
small fry ms were too young to roll
mp in II blanket on the ground.
Five days out the plains country be-
gan to lose Its fertile look and the
sage, pungent and persistent, to make
Its appearance while arid, clay hills
lOOmed on the right and occasional
forblddlng peaks of the Colorado
Rockies could be seen on the south
ern skyline.
Nom Widman, driving beside Pop
with the baby on her lap, looked about
her continually with worried seeking
eyes. Never had she seen such lone
ly, barren land.
Then one day, Just as the sun was
sinking level with the landscape, they
reached bit of country where bunch
grass mingled with the sage and cac-
tus. A few miles ahead n group Of
cottonwOods Indicated a stream.
THAT'S where we'll campW decided
Pop, and the little Wldmans uttered
shrleks of Joy. Swimming, maybe |!
Anyhow, shade to lie in next morning
while Nom fried cakes and Pop har-
messed up. P'raps they weren't sick
of that ole sun and no trees nowhere !
Disappointment met them, however
Mt the cOttonwOods There was II
stream, to be sure. Not much depth
this time of year but not so much
mud, either, ms In the water courses
farther back. But tucked beneath the
trees was a little cabin showing every
sign of occupancy from curtains In
the window to sleek pinto standing
saddled beside the door.
"It's for sale, POp!" cried Elfrida,
pointing to sign nailed on post.
Pop looked at Nom with suddenly
lifted brOws and Nom understood at
once of what he was thinking. There
was little cash on hand from the
sale of their hogs and scant stand
Of alfalfa. Would 1t be worth while
buying this placer Couldn't be worth
much, yet there was water here and
plenty Of land for crop.
Pop climbed stiflly down from his
seat. No harm asking the price, any
how.
The first knock brought instant re-
Spouse and II Is not unreasonable to
suppose that the lean, brown young
man who answered had been aware
Of their approach ever since their
first appearance on the horizon.
~ see you're for SALE" said Pop.
"You BET ~ The young mans eyes
wandered to ElfrIda's tired face.
Good reason for sellingp
swell, I'll tell you how II was,
stranger. got me engaged to girl
and fixed II up from top to bottom.
Then | brought her out here and she
said she'd fall dead before she'd live
In this forsaken spot. SO I'm selling"
"And going TO live where she wants
you to-" called Elfrlda softly.
"IIeck mol wouldn't live in city
for no girl. She married a post-Ofiice
clerk in Casper"
"How much you asking?" Pop was
not Interested In his personal history.
Fifteen hundred"
Pop whlstled. "FOr the viewf" Pop
asked sarcastlcally.
"There's wOrsew and the young
man looked across the rolling range.
swell, It's more than can pay.
Mind II we camp across the creekT
"Help yourself, stranger and tell
your wife and daughter they're well
come to use my stove"
The following morning, Elfrldn was
patiently waiting for the summons to
climb into the wagon when the young
man from the cabin came out Of his
door and crossed the creek to where
she was standing little Withdrawn
from her family.
Say. | want to tell you that was
built this place hoping some day
girl would come along but one didn't, |
and ! decided TO sell Just for fun ! |
made up new story for everyone |
that asked me why ! was selling. |
Couldn't blurt out the fool truth to
strangers. nov could ~
Elfrlda's eyes filled suddenly. All.
how sick she was Of roaming
Then she felt firm brown hand
seize hers. SAY, you don't think
your family would like to stay over
few days to res up while you and
me got acquainted? II might be
you look mighty sweet TO me-"
an ask them" said Elfridn simply,
happily 81; "Gr s'e knew the little
,ab!n W. < 10 be hers.
nm - On HuUnnst-,.