INTRODUCTION. 17 



solemn pines. He loved the horses that he rode and 

 the great herd of cattle in his charge, and his com- 

 rades, rough as bears and loving as brothers. So 

 he carried the letter in his pocket with a sad heart 

 for a day or two, when little Billie Barnson, who 

 was riding beside him, turned to him and said: 

 ' ' Joe, what in thunder is the matter with you ? Has 

 your girl gone back on you?" "No, Billie, that is 

 not what is the matter, ' ' and in a few words he laid 

 bare his heart; he ought to leave the mountains, 

 perhaps forever, and he dreaded to go. "Why, Joe, 

 I 'm ashamed of you. " " Ashamed, Billie ! Why are 

 you ashamed of me?" "Well, Joe, if I had had a 

 father as good as yours has been [Billie had never 

 known his father] and in his old age he asked me to 

 come home and help him, I 'd go. ' ' That decided it. 

 ' ' I think you are right, Billie. I 'm going. " " Well, 

 I want to see you smile then." "All right, Billie, 

 1*11 go, and I'll smile too," replied the boy, and his 

 heart grew light again as he began to turn his 

 thoughts toward home once more, and the simple 

 but satisfying joys of the homeland. 



The homecoming occurred just before Christmas 

 time of the year 1889. It was a very joyous home- 

 coming. The kind and rejoiced old father, the old 

 mother happy to see her son, and the things made 

 dear by old association, all these conspired to make 

 full the cup of joy; and beside near by lived the 

 sweetheart. So the boy was very happy for some 

 days. After that he began to explore again the old 

 farm. It was a good farm, of 196 acres, mostly 



