Addison Howard Gibson

“ He has n’t any use for any one who ’s not strong,” scanning Kane’s thin arms and legs in his worn suit.
“Oh, I ’ll be all right when I get to knocking about the mountains,” Kane hastened to assure the agent, resenting the suggestion of physical weakness. “Uncle Hi,” he continued, “was sick nearly four months, and I was shut up taking care of him, and missed my exercise. Before he died, he told me to come up to Rainbow Cañon. He was sure Mr. Moreley ’d be glad to have a boy and a good dog to help with the sheep. I ’ve worked on a sheep ranch before, and Pard knows a lot about the business.” ”

“ After that I seemed to run downhill, and had to mortgage my ranch to Jim Moreley to keep goin’. But,” pridefully, “I got some fine sheep, and if I ’ve good luck winterin’ ’em, I ‘11 pay out next fall, and be independent ag’in .
As they steadily ascended, the wind grew more chilly and moaned ominously among the pines that dotted the mountain slopes. The keen air made Kane’s nose and ears tingle, and he drew closer to his companion.
“Goin’ to storm,” observed Thompson, squinting toward the sky. “It ’s a sure sign when the pines screech that way. ”

“ He became conscious of my scrutiny, frowned a little, then turned toward the door.
"If you'll excuse me, Mr. Hope," he said, "I'll bring you up some refreshments. You must be tired and hungry after your long ride." ”

“ Sliding back the big door, Kane revealed a warm, comfortable shed for sheep and cattle. In one of the stalls a cow stood munching hay.
“Some one does n't look after his sheep very well, Pard,” said Kane. ”

“ But—shall I?—" a wild flash in his eyes. Yes, Mr. Hope, you shall have the story. I must tell it to some one. It's too good to keep. Ha, ha!"
"Take a seat," he continued, pushing a cask towards me, upon which I dropped, not certain that I was not in the presence of a madman.
Taking up a bottle, he brushed the cobwebs from it, then, breaking off the neck, passed it to me, saying:
"Take a pull. It's damp in this cellar, and this will take the chill out of your blood. This is an excellent wine—it was a favorite brand with Judson Pickford. Yes, sir; and Judson was a competent judge. Ha,ha! ”

“ Half-leading, half-dragging the rancher, Kane managed to get him to the shed. Here, on an improvised couch of hay and empty sacks, the disabled man watched his safely sheltered flock taking their supper in calm content.
“Well, Providence works funny sometimes!” he ejaculated. “There I was, flounderin’ in the snow, disablin’ myself, and worryin’ for fear my sheep ’d all perish ”