--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Horne, J. Arthur collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 19 number: 5 published: 1916-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'J. Arthur Horne, "Into the Light," *Improvement Era* 19, no. 5 (March 1916): 432–442.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1905unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1905unse start_page: 432 end_page: 442 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1916-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1905unse publication_year: 1916 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1916, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Into the Light Into the Light* BY J. ARTHUR HORNE From his vantage point on the hill, Kid Gordon could see anunusual activity in the town—unusual for that early hour. Thata posse was being organized for his special benefit, he had not theslightest doubt. Smoke from a hundred houses curled upward inthe clear spring air, and indicated as much as the men and horsesin the streets the intent of the inhabitants. But he had no notionof waiting for any posse. His horse was fresh; he had nearly anhour's start, and by taking a short cut around the base of themountain he could easily outdistance them. Reared among the cow camps of the rude frontier, and hav-ing no remembrance of father or mother, he had known little buthard knocks, until he got big enough to return them, which hedid with interest. He had endured almost every kind of hard-ship, from the kicks of the camp cooks to being left for dead ina deserted log cabin. He had often gone days without food, andthen stolen to satisfy his hunger. And now at twenty-two hewas an outlaw. The night before, he had robbed the day coachand express car of the Redlands accommodation. It was more from reckless love of adventure than from anydesire to do injury that he had attempted so desperate a game.He was elated over its success, and the ease with which it hadbeen accomplished; yet, back of it all, he regretted that he hadrobbed the passengers—not from fear of the posse, but becausehe had been recognized, and would never dare be seen again inRedlands. Tall and raw-boned, he was, with dark hair, broad shouldersand muscles of iron. Dressed in typical cowboy style—brownleather chaps, blue flannel shirt open at the throat, broad-brimmedhat, handkerchief knotted about the sun-burned neck, cartridgebelt and holster at his waist, and spurs on his boots, with one handholding the bridle reins, the other the rifle—he could easily havebeen painted to represent "The cowboy guarding the cattle rangesfrom the onrushing tide of homeseekers," instead of a bandit forwhom a posse of armed men were gathering. Some forty or more men now rode out of town and camedirectly east toward him. Presently they separated, half of themturning off to the southeast, evidently making for the Low Pass, *This story won first place in the Era story contest for January. INTO THE LIGHT 433 while the others swung off more to the northeast, intending to goaround the foothills into the valley beyond. Mounting his horse, the young bandit rode into a dry washand followed it to the base of the mountains. This range reachesup from the south like a great arm, with the foothills extendinglike fingers into the surrounding plain. A few pine trees, frag-ments of the dense groves on the mountains, were scattered overthe upper slopes of the hills, and into these the bandit rode, whilethe posse went round the ends of the foothills to the north. Two hours' ride brought him to the last of the hills, and abeautiful green valley, about twenty miles wide, lay spread outbefore him. Glancing across the valley to the east, he was sur-prised to see little squares and oblongs of brown earth checkeredamong the green. "It must be that company of 'Mormons' who passed throughRedlands a few weeks ago," he said to himself. "I guess they'vedecided to settle there." Riding swiftly down a steep declivity toward the river, hishorse stepped into a badger hole, and both horse and rider cameviolently to the ground. Dazed by the fall, it was some timebefore he mounted his horse again. The poor animal was solame that he could not be urged off a walk. To beat the posse toTrail Canyon was now impossible. A cloud of dust to the northtold him they were already coming into the valley. Leading hishorse into a deep ravine, he tied him to a bush and then lay downon the bank above, to watch. The horsemen came into view in twos and threes, their gunbarrels flashing in the sunlight. That they were alert for anysigns of the bandit was evident from the way the two men in thelead scanned the trail, and the way the others swept the valleywith their eyes. The men stopped at the ford, and three of themdismounted and examined the trail carefully before they crossed.The same precautions were taken on the other side; but, findingnothing, they rode on up the valley to the south. The young bandit now conceived a bold plan. He wouldcross over to the "Mormon" colony, tell them he was one of them,and if necessarv divide the spoils with them. They would doubt-less be glad of another recruit. It was dark when he rode up to the nearest light and peeredinto the window of a three-room log cabin. A man of slightbuild and almost snow white hair was seated at a table, reading.A matronly woman, and a girl about sixteen, were washing dishes.Two smaller girls played with a rag doll, while two big boysdozed before the fire. A hearty "Come in" answered his knock, and he opened thedoor, still holding the bridle reins in his hand. The rattling ofthe dishes stopped. The family were evidently surprised to see 434 IMPROVEMENT ERA a stranger. The man took off his spectacles, arose from his chairand extended his hand. "Any show to stay over night?" the bandit asked. "There's always room for one more," was the reply, andturning to one of the boys, he said, "Reed, put the gentleman'shorse in the field. Come in," he repeated; "Sister Wooley willset you a bite to eat." "I'll unsaddle first," Gordon said. He put the saddle and rifle in the shed, and tucked his sackof coin out of sight in one corner. The family didn't look verydangerous, so he carried only his revolver to the house for possi-ble emergencies. He found the "Mormons" so different from what he had ex-pected, that he hardly knew how to act. Before the family wentto bed they knelt clown on the floor with their elbows in theirchairs, and the father prayed. Then the children lovingly kissedtheir parents "good night." The bandit lay awake for a long timein his bed. on the floor, puzzled by this new world he had sud-denly fallen into. A strange sensation was gnawing at his heartstrings. Somewhere in the dim recesses of his memory, a kindlyface and a pair of tender blue eyes seemed to be struggling forrecognition. Perhaps it was his mother. He did not know.Sometimes he wondered if he had really had a mother. As if inanswer, those tender blue eyes seemed to look down at him re-proachfully, from a great height. He was awakened by some one stirring the fire in the otherroom. The sun was already up. The boys, who slept in the otherbed, had gone out. Perhaps they had gone to give the alarm.He dressed quickly. Seizing his revolver he hurried to the shed.The things were just as he had left them. The boys were milk-ing the cows in the corral, while the father was bringing thehorses from the field. His fears subsided and a feeling of seren-ity swept over him. "Your horse seems pretty lame," Mr. Wooley remarked ashe came up. "You'd better stop over for today and let him rest." "He wrenched his shoulder coming over from Jackson's Holeyesterday," was Gordon's response. "I'll go down and take alook at him." If he had any doubts about Mr. Wooley's reasons for askinghim to stay, they were dispelled when he saw his horse limpingabout the field. Breakfast was waiting when he returned to the house. "Your home is in the Jackson Valley, I suppose, Mr. " "Holden—Bert Holden." "Mr. Holden?" ventured Mr. Wooley, while they were eating. "My home's wherever my hat's off," replied Holden, for suchwe shall call him. INTO THE LIGHT 435 "Why not take up some land and make yourself a home?"suggested Mr. Wooley, with a twinkle in his blue eyes. "That'd just suit me fine, if I wouldn't be buttin' in," theyoung fellow replied. "It'll be just the ticket," he thought to him-self, "for a week or so." "We'd be glad to have you, I'm sure," Mrs. Wooley said. "The more the merrier," chimed in Reed, and brown-eyedEdith looked at the stalwart young fellow admiringly. "There's a fine claim joining us on the east," continued Mr.Wooley. "I'll go over with you to see it, if you like." A fifteen-minute walk brought them to the place. No officialsurveys had been made, but a compass and a fifty-foot tapelineshowed them the corners. It was nearly noon when they finished,and Holden asked Mr. Wooley how much he wanted for histrouble. "Not a mite of trouble, young man ; you're entirely welcome." They walked on in silence for a short distance, when theyoung man, who was walking ahead, suddenly wheeled around. "Mr. Wooley, why do you take all this trouble for me? I'mnothing to you. I came here last night believing you 'Mormons'a lawless bunch, and you set me up to your table and bring meout here and stake off a piece of ground for me. No one everdid a kindness to me before, and God knows I never did one toany one else. I've tried to be suspicious of you, to see somemotive for all this interest in me, but I give it up. What's yourgame ?" "Game," the older man repeated, mildly. "I haven't anygame. We are just starting in here, and are anxious to have asmany settlers as possible. I'm sorry if you have misunderstoodme." Partly satisfied, Holden turned to resume his walk, Mr.Wooley keeping step beside him. In the afternoon, the bandit went to the shed, dug his sackof money out of the corner, and, taking a couple of glass fruitjars he found there, went to one corner of his claim. A few pinetrees grew along the creek and, selecting the largest, he scratchedout a hole under one of its great roots. He then emptied thecontents of his sack on the ground. It was a motley collection ofgold and silver, greenbacks, paper rolls and envelopes. He firstpicked out $65, the remainder of his wages he had earned at thespring branding, and put it in his pocket. Then he gathered upthe loose change, $192 that he had collected from the passengers,and put it into one of the glass jars. The paper rolls and en-velopes contained $5,000 in gold and greenbacks which he hadtaken from the express car. He placed this in the other jar,screwed on the lids of both, and put them in the hole under the 436 IMPROVEMENT ERA root. After filling' the hole, he took a dead pine branch, sprinkledits needles over the place, and then returned to the house. He stayed at the Wooley home, working in the timber, cut-tilig his house logs, or worked on the farm to pay for the use ofa team, occasionally. At night he slept near the door with hisrevolver under his pillow. Every morning and every night the family knelt at prayer;and before every meal, bowed their heads over the table while oneof them thanked God for the food which he knew they hadbrought with them from Utah. It all seemed very foolish at first,but as time went on, this praying business began to have somemeaning for him. Somehow, he seemed to be mixed up in it,too, when the parents did the praying. Almost before he realized it, a little cabin stood on his claimwith a patch of brown earth near it. He opened the door oneafternoon and found on the floor a collection of furniture. Ithad been gleaned from the meagre store of the little colony.They had shared their little treasures with their poorer neighbor. Poor! and more than five thousand dollars rested at the footof the big pine ! For the first time in his life, his conscience smotehim. What right had he to accept the hospitality of these people?What had he ever done that they should part with their valuablesto help him out? Suppose they should discover who he was!He cursed himself with a volley of oaths for the deceit he waspracticing, and resolved to leave that very night. When he returned to Mr. Wooley's, he found that gentlemanlaid up with a sprained ankle. "Mr. Holden," he began, "I've been wondering if I could getyou to work on the ditch for a few days in my place?" "Of course, I'll be only too glad to do it," was the reply. Some twenty men and boys, with teams and scrapers, wereat work on an irrigation ditch. None of them smoked nor swore.They called each other "Brother," and yet a jollier, happier bunchof men he had never seen. He stayed on the ditch until it wasfinished. Why? He could not have told, only that he wasstrongly attracted to these people whose religion seemed a verypart of them. A little incident occurred that fall which banished from himforever all thought of leaving the colony. Mrs. Wooley's sisterand family decided to spend the winter in Utah, and Mrs. Wooleywas going as far as Redlands with her. The wagon was at thedoor, and Mrs. Wooley was kissing her husband and children"good-bye." Perhaps it was the heart-hungry look in BertHolden's eyes as he surveyed this scene, or it may have been justher big motherly heart, but anyway she suddenly turned to himand kissed him as tenderly as she had the others. The poor,starved heart in him seemed ready to burst with the flood thus INTO THE LIGHT 437 suddenly poured into it. For the life of him he couldn't hold backthe tears, and he saw the wagon drive away as in a mist. Hewanted to run after it—to hold forever in his sight that dear, kind,motherly soul. Mother—why, he had never known before whatthat word meant. He was like a poor, storm-tossed vessel at seathat had come back to anchor at last. The next Sunday he went to meeting. A young man got upto preach. He said a man named Joseph Smith had a book givenhim by an angel, and some more angels came and told him tostart the Church. The people in the meeting seemed to think thestory was all right, but Bert wondered how the young man couldbe so sure Smith told the truth. However, the story held afascination for him that he could not shake off. It meant manytrips to the meetinghouse, much reading, and long conversationswith Mr. and Mrs. Wooley. Winter was on, long before the colonists were prepared for it.Unused to the rigors of the northern winters, they had not suf-ficient food or shelter for man or beast. Many of the cattle died.Most of the potatoes were frozen, and though they had plenty offlour and meat—the latter supplied by elk which came down fromthe mountains in great numbers—they sadly missed the vegetables.The bread and meat diet began to tell on the health of the set-tlers. Scurvy broke out, and by the middle of February everybouse was infected. The snow was four feet deep on the level,and the road to Redlands effectually closed for the rest of thewinter. When Bert Holden saw Mr. and Mrs. Wooley in bed withswollen tongues and discolored faces, he became alarmed. "Mr. Wooley, isn't there some cure for this disease?" heasked anxiously.. "It's lack of vegetables," Mr. Wooley answered. "Sailorsoften used to get it, but were quickly cured when they came toport, unless the disease had gone too far." "Then you think you would get well if you had some vege-tables?" he questioned. "I know we would," was the reply. "I'm afraid potatoes are the only thing Redlands would havethis time of year. Would they do?" "There isn't anything better," Mr. Wooley affirmed. "Butit would be impossible to open the road to Redlands now." "Would a hundred pounds do any good?" Bert asked, eagerly. "It would probably cure the whole colony," was the gratify-ing response. "Mr. Wooley, I'll go to Redlands tomorrow on snowshoesand be back in three or four days with some potatoes." "Do you realize the danger of such a trip?" And Mr.Wooley looked searchingly into the eyes of his stalwart friend. 438 IMPROVEMENT ERA "Yes," Bert said, slowly; "1 realize the danger far better thanany one else." '*I shall not try to dissuade you, my boy, if you are deter-mined to go. May God keep you safe from any harm." Bert left the house and went immediately to his own cabin,where he fashioned a sled with a pair of snowshoes for runners.Then going to the foot of the pine he shoveled away the snow andearth, took out the jars of money and carried them to the house. The next morning, he was up at 4 o'clock. The stars shoneso brightly on the white snow that he had no difficulty seeing hisway about. His lunch and the jars of money wrapped in a quiltwere tied on the sled. Stepping onto his snowshoes and takingthe sled rope in his hand, he struck out across the valley to thewest. He was favored by the slope of the land to the river,which he reached just as the first streaks of the gray dawn ap-peared in the east. Leaving the river, he began the ascent of thefoothills, and by 4 o'clock stood on the last of them looking downacross the country to the little spirals of smoke and black specksthat marked the town of Redlands. He expected trouble, but asit would be dark when he reached town, he carried only his re-volver. The trouble would be at close range. "Swish, swish, swish, swish." The long powerful strideswere taking him over the snow at a rapid rate. The sun wentclown, and the semi-darkness of the winter night enveloped thelone traveler on the plain. The lights of the town twinkled inthe distance and the faint whistle of a locomotive was borne tohim from far away to the south. Entering the town he went immediately to the store, an ob-long frame structure whose one hanging lamp cast a yellow glowon the snow in front. Leaving his sled on the porch, he turnedthe knob and entered. A strong odor of tobacco smoke and coffeegreeted his nostrils. The smudgy light revealed the storekeeperand half a dozen loafers seated about the stove, smoking. Mind-ful of the curious glances cast in his direction, he cautiouslyavoided facing the group at the stove, but went up directly to thecounter as the storekeeper came around behind it. Gordon's backwas to the light, and no one recognized him until he spoke. "Kid Gordon!" exclaimed the storekeeper. The effect was electrical. The men at the stove were on theirfeet in an instant. The Kid's reputation for gun-play was toowell established for any of them to think of drawing a revolver,if he had one. Instead, there was a general movement towardthe front door. The Kid wheeled quickly. "There's no hurry about keeping that appointment, gentle-men," he said quietly. He waved his revolver in the direction ofthe disordered chairs. "Please be seated." They sat. INTO THE LIGHT 439 "There's one of God's own women sick over in the valley,"continued Gordon. "I've come to take some potatoes to her, anddon't want any one to hinder me. Mr. Meyers," he said, address-ing- the storekeeper, "if you'll just carry a sack of potatoes to thefront door for me, I'll be going on my way." He threw a dollar on the counter and then followed Meyersto the door. "I see we have a little audience out here in front, so I'll haveto ask you to carry it outside," Gordon requested. As he opened the door, he heard some one outside say, "Becareful, Meyers is in front." There was a decided movement to get back out of the lightas he and the storekeeper came outside. "For h—l's sake, fellers, don't run," some one said, excitedly. "Just set the spuds down," Gordon said as he closed the door."I want to say a few words." Keeping his back up against the door, and Meyers close upin front, he looked the situation over. The muzzle of severalrifles protruded into the shaft of light, while the faces of the menwere dimly seen beyond. "About eight months ago, I took a considerable number ofdollars from a few of the citizens of this here burg," began Gor-don, relapsing into his former speech. "Today I brought it back.If Tom Keene will step up here and unwrap that quilt on my sledhe'll find it, along with the money I took from the express car." A lanky fellow stepped out of the darkness up to the sled.In a moment he held up the jars of money. Exclamations of sur-prise greeted their appearance. "I'll hand this money over to Mr. Meyers, and he can returnit to the owners," went on Gordon. "The express money he canturn over to Sheriff Rawlins. Now, fellows, I'm tryin' to livestraight, but if any of you ain't satisfied, and still want to unloadyour shootin' irons in my direction, you now have that privilege." Returning his pistol to its holster he stepped out onto theporch. For a moment he stood there, motionless, and not a soundcame from the darkness. Then big Jim Ferron, a prominent cat-tleman, with a heavy mustache, and a deep bass voice, stepped upbeside him. "I'm with you, Kid," he said. "Give me your hand," and heseized the Kid's fingers in an iron grip. Instantly the crowd broke up into a laughing, joking lot ofmen who surged around Gordon, slapping him on the back andshaking his hand. "Come over to Tobe's with me, and we'll have a drink,"Ferron suggested, a few minutes later. "Thanks, Jim. but I've cut that out, too," replied Gordon, ashe tied the sack of potatoes onto his sled. 440 IMPROVEMENT ERA "Come to the house, then, and stop over night with me." "I certainly will, and be glad of the chance." And the twoleft the store, pulling the sled after them. Daylight the next morning found Gordon far out on the flat.The sky was overcast, and a stiff breeze had sprung up from thesoutheast. About 10 o'clock a few feathery flakes shot obliquelyacross his path. A little later the mountains, though not morethan a mile distant, were completely shut from view. The windwhipped around so among the foothills that he frequently lost hisdirection. The storm continued into the afternoon, with increas-ing fury, driving the snow like needle points into his face and neckand ears. Presently the hill seemed to slope off more to the eastand, concluding he had come to the last of them, he crossed thisone diagonally. When he had covered what he knew must be thedistance to the river, and no willows appeared in his path, hebecame uneasy. He continued on for another fifteen minutes butfound nothing. He retraced his steps for a short distance untilthey were covered up. He wandered around trying to find someclue to his whereabouts and then sat down on his sled to thinkout some solution for his difficulty. There was no use denyingthe fact—he was lost. Lost in a blizzard without so much as abush to shelter him. There was no use walking around any more.Besides, his strength was nearly gone. There was only one thingto do—wait until the storm broke. He kicked out a hole in the snow and, dumping the sack ofpotatoes into it, covered it over. Wrapping the quilt about hisweary body he wormed his way down into the snow, pulled thesled over him like a trap door, and fell into a troubled sleep. Davlight found the blast unabated. All the day long, ithummed and sang over the flat, but when the sun went down thecurtains were drawn aside and the chilled and hungry wandererbeheld once more his cherished goal. It was 2 o'clock in the morning when he pulled his sled acrossthe little shaft of light coming from the beacon lamp somethouehtful hand had placed in the window of the Wooley cabin.All his pain and weariness were forgotten in the warmth of hisreception. Mrs. Wooley and the girls cried when he went intothe sick room, and even Mr. Wooley and Reed had tears in theireyes. Tired nature finally reasserted itself and he went to bed. Thenext thing he knew, conditions were entirely reversed. He waslyins" in bed. sick, and Mrs. Woolev came into the room with abowl of steaming broth in her hand. "How is it you are up and looking so well this morning?"the sick man asked. "You looked last night as if it would be aweek before you got out of bed." INTO THE LIGHT 441 "Why, bless your heart," she said, "it has been a week sinceyou got back." "A week," he echoed, feebly. "Yes, you've been delirious and I guess this is the first timeyou've come to yourself." "What a weakling I am to break clown like this," he com-plained. "Not at all, my dear boy. The wonder is that you got backat all. Only the power of God saved you from death." "What will they say when they learn who I am?" he askedhimself. "Even if they turn me out I am glad I came. Frombeing a wild outlaw, fleeing from armed men, I have become abeliever in God and the brotherhood of man." In the afternoon he asked for Mr. Wooley. When thatworthy man sat by his bedside, he said: "Mr. Wooley, I havesomething to tell you. It's very hard to say it, but I have de-ceived you. I am not Bert Holden, but an outlaw named KidGordon—Sidney Gordon is my right name." ''I thought you'd be telling me before long," said Mr. Wooleypleasantly. "What, you knew Holden was a false name?" "Yes, I learned who you were the third day after you came.Some of the posse were here looking for you." "What made you shield me?" "Oh, I thought maybe we could do you more good than thepenitentiary," was the matter-of-fact reply. "There's one more question I would like to ask," he said ina huskv voice. "Do any of the others know who I am?" "Sister Wooley was here when the posse came, but we didnot tell the children until you left for Redlands. You see," thegood man explained, "we knew the risk you were running, andwanted the children to unite their faith with ours for your safety.We would not have consented for you to go, but considered ityour duty to return the money yourself." "And you knew I was taking the money with me?" "No, but I thought you were." "Oh, Mr. Wooley, I'm not worth a hundredth part of all theloving kindness you have shown me." "Every soul is precious in the sight of God," the white hairedman said, simply. The sick man's eyes closed and the tears stole out fromunder the dark lashes onto his pale cheek. The heart which oncehad gloried in robbery and pillage was overwhelmed by this newproof of Christ-like love and sympathy. "Mr. Wooley," he said presently; "do vou think—do vouthink—" "Do I think what, my boy?" 442 IMPROVEMENT ERA "Do you think that some day I could be baptized into theChurch?" "I rather think so," the older man said, smiling. "The wholecolony has been praying for that for six months." When Mrs. Wooley brought Gordon's breakfast to him nextmorning, his face was radiant. "Oh, Mrs. Wooley," he cried, "often in my dreams I haveseemed to see the face of an angel with beautiful blue eyes anda sad, yet kindly, face. Last night I saw it again, very close.This time it was smiling, oh, so sweetly. It must be my mother,for her face is like yours!" Stooping down, Mrs. Wooley kissed the white forehead, anddropped a tear on the dark hair, while Mr. Wooley, standing inthe doorway, took off his spectacles to wipe them. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH Our Father Knows Our Father who dwells in the heavens, and who is ourMaker, and whom we long to be near when our spirits shall bereleased from this earth, that we may dwell in his presencethrough eternity, sees and knows every action of his children.Like our earthly parents, he makes many efforts and sacrificesfor his loved children upon earth, even though they sin. He isanxious that sinners, too, shall partake of the peace and glory instore for the righteous when they shall leave this earthly exist-ence behind. But he calls on them to repent of their sins, learnof his ways, and walk in his paths. As God's children, we ought to be very happy, considering allthe great promises which are in store for us. Rememberingthese, we should strive for the right, and aim always to pleaseGod and to keep his commandments. He is our light and oursalvation. As children of God let us be cheerful, lift up ourvoices, and rejoice in the work that is given us to do. Let usavoid that which is evil, and strive with our might to do no actwhich we know to be wrong, but ever battle for the right. Whenthe day shall come that we shall behold our records (for therecords of-mankind and their actions in all lands shall be laidopen in time), we shall stand at the goal and say, "Forever andever, our Father knows." Ruby Harrison. LOGAN, UTAH