Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-07-19
The Ranchman's Story.

kinder-hearted man don't live than
he"
So answered Capt Israel Taylor, of
Company B, of that world-renowned
regiment, Jack Hayes Texan Rangers.
1t was In reply to my question as to his
acquaintance with Bill Thorpe.
Tall, thin and round-shouldered, Bill
was one of the most awkward-appearing
men in Company B, of which he had
been member nearly three years.
Yet there was no man in the company
who could equal Bill in accuracy of aim
with rifle or revolver; no man could
mount horse quicker or handle him
more adroitly.
His mouth was large and indicated
good nature; but Bill had never been
known to laugh outright since he Joined
Company B.
His nose was well shaped, and his
eyes, two of the blacklist and keenest
that ever shone, flashed from beneath
shaggy brows that overhung them like
two beetling crage. A fine beard swept
his breast, and his long brown hair hung
far down over his shoulders.
Always pleasant and genial in his
manner, he never volunteered an opin-
ion upon any subject, and rarely spoke
unless first spoken to.
He neither used intoxicating liquors
nor was addicted to profanity. Honest,
brave and generous, he was one of the
most popular men in the company. He
had been a member of the company
three years, yet no one knew his pre-
vious history, or from what portion of
the country he came.
On the day he first arrived in camp,
he appeared to have come from the di-
rection of the Rio Grande. He was
mounted on a small brown mustang
pony, so shaggy and rough that many
of the men were inclined to laugh at
the new conner; clothed in a buckskin
hunting suit, with his long Mississippi
rife nicely balanced upon the saddle be.
fore him, he rode straight to the cap,
taiD's tent. and enrolling his name as a
Ranger without asking a question.
had known Bill, as one of Hayes
Rangers, for some time. One bright
May morning he walked into my office
and, pulling off his old slouch hat, seat.
ed himself, rifle in hand, and waited my
leisure.
l was busy at the time, and merely
recognized him by nod, and pointing
to chair, continued my work. Occa
siopally l glanced at him as he sat wait
ing. | thought | detected in his face
an expression of such deep sorrow, Gu.
riosity finally induced me to lay aside
my business, and to enquire in what
way could serve him, loosely remark.
ing, "You surely don't want lawyer
Bill 2"
mo man ever wanted one more
squire" was the reply.
Drawing from his pocket an ole
fashioned buckskin purse, he took from
it five double eagles, and laying then
on the desk before me, said
That's for detainer."
Understanding that he wished to re
tain my services, 1 replied, "Very we'll
Bill; now what is it p
Rising, he carefully closed and LOCKED
the door, saying, "Now, squire, l wan
yer time for an hour" Then seatin,
himself near me, after short silence
he told me his story. AS nearly as
can remember it at this late day, it wa
in the following words:
esquire, I've got a brother. He
fifteen years younger than me, and eve
since he was little baby I've tendet
him; leastways, since he was five year
old.
"When he was that old, l came il
from herdin' one night and found tn
ranch burnt, and father, mother anC
three brothers all dead-the Comanche
had been down. Well, found 'em al
'cept Rob, and l concluded the Injun
must have carried him off with 'em
but the next day found him asleep ou
in the chaparral. The little feller ha,
cried himself to sleep, and the grea
tears was standing on his little cheek
when l first see him, like drops of raj
on yucca.
81 took an oath then and there, afor
| walked him up, that I'd take. kere Q
that boy, and as long as l lived n
harm should come to him, if I coul
stop it. Well, squire, brung him u
y myself. [ teached him all l knowed
{. and me and him lived on the old ranc
alone together.
Il wouldn't have nobody else roun
for fear they'd teach Rob bad. So W
b KEEP together, as happy as any one coul
v be, till he was about seventeen year
o old, and then he came ter me and said
Bill, | want ter 60 out and larn th
world
d ".Drop the idee What does bo
: larn when he goes out inter the worlt