In the mountains where the government gives a settler all the timber he
needs, transportation is so difficult and paid labor almost unknown, so
that the size and quality of a rancher's house and out-buildings
expresses his character. Sam Brewster's buildings and fences were as
solid and comfortable as any in the State. He and his wife (a refined
young woman) were ambitious and energetic, so it was not surprising
that they succeeded in life.

When John, the first-born, had completed his studies at High School in
Denver, he was sent to a well-known college in Chicago. And now that
Polly, seven years John's junior, had finished her grammar course at
the little Bear Forks log school-house, she, too, was determined to
enter High School at Denver.

Sam Brewster had stubbornly refused to consent to the plan, taking for
an excuse that no friends or relatives remained in Denver where Polly
might board, and commutation was out of the question. But he knew, and
so did his wife, that the truth of his refusal lay in the fact that he
could not bear to part with his youngest child--even though she visited
at home each week-end.

Mrs. Brewster sided with Polly's ambition, and planned to visit her old
home in Denver to see if she could find any friends who would prove to
be desirable for Polly to associate with. The matter stood thus this
lovely June day when the unexpected letter arrived.

The very unusual occurrence created enough interest for Polly to take
her mind from the burro, so she ran swiftly towards the house while
every possible correspondent she could think of passed through her