e, it bore evident signs of a desire to escape as
far as possible the burdens of the life it represented.

The squalid two-roomed house was sunk into the backing to the sloping
hill. Its front and sides were of green logs and a mud plaster. Its
roof was of a primitive thatch, held secure from winter storms by
sapling logs lashed fast across it. The central doorway was filled by
a rough-boarded door, and the apertures left for added light were
covered with thin cotton material. They were left wide open in summer,
and in winter only served to shut out the worst of the driven snows and
most of the daylight.

The adjacent barn was of far greater extent, but of considerably less
degree. Still, it was sufficiently weather-proof, which was all that
could be reasonably hoped for by the toughened creatures, who found
shelter beneath its crazy roof. Higher up the slope stood a couple of
corrals of sorts. Their position was at the southern extremity of the
woodland crown, their placing probably inspired by the adjacency of the
material required for their construction.

Below the house stretched a sloping patch of growing wheat, perhaps
about thirty acres in extent. This was the real business of the
homestead, and, in spite of the crazy fencing of barbed wire about it,
it looked to be richly flourishing.

For all the general ineffectiveness of the place, however, it was not
without significance. For it gave that human touch which at once
breaks up the overpowering sensation which never fails to depress in
the silent heart of Nature's immensity. It spoke of courage, too. The
reckless courage of early youth, plunging for the first time into
independence. Furthermore, it suggested something of the first great
sacrifice which the hot tide of love, surging through youthful veins,
is prepared to make for the object of its passionate regard. In any
case it symbolized the irresistible progress of man's effort when
pitted against the passive resistance of Nature's most fiercely rugged
frontiers.

A wonderful harmonious peace reigned over the scene which was bathed in
the light of a drooping sun. It was the chastened pastoral peace, than
which there is no more perfect in the world. Cattle were grazing their
way homeward; the cows bearing their burden of laden udders to yield it
for the benefit and prosperity of the community; the steers lingering
at the banks of the murmuring mountain stream, or standing knee-deep in
its