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Show ualistic and his steady, deep seated strength and determination carried him along a fixed direction. He learned to approach new problems as if they were but simple extensions of the ordinary problems of everyday life. He understood in his own unlettered way what he wanted to do and how it could be done with whatever was at hand. He was not forever complaining, even in the hardest years. If he lacked formal training and discipline he had something that was even better: a willingness to be disciplined by whatever life asked of him. And all the while those searching, questioning wheels of his mind were at work while he sought for the direction that would give meaning to his life. It wasn't easy for him to leave his mother's roof and venture out on his own at the age of thirteen years when he had been so much a part of her home life. But he had an incentive- his mother was to have a sewing machine, and she needed a wagon and a harness. The only way they could be paid for was with money, and that was something he and his mother had seldom seen. THE BOY SHEPHERD John K's first sheepherding experience was for part of a winter in Rabbit Valley (near the Fish Lake area) working with Hans Brotherson. He left home in September 1885 and stayed for five months, working for ten dollars per month and board. As soon as the spring farm work required attention 49 |