San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-10-06
Rowing Jack-A Texas Desperate
ny EMERSON BENNETT.

BY EMERSON BENNETT.
One of the most daring and dreadful
Of Texan desperadoes was man called
Rowing Jack.
Along the borders he was notorious.
He was vet young man, and his real
name was John Feathers.
I had often, while travelling through
that region, heard of his bloody ex'
ploits. and without ever having seen
him or had description Of his person
al appearance, I had pictured him to my
minds eve as o great, burly, long
bearded, shaggy haired ruffian-a some.
thing frightful to look upon--a sort OF
human monster, which, when once en-
countered, there could be no mistaking.
II SO happened that in looking for q
farm in one of the border counties, F!
reached lone dwelling, on stretch OF
prairie. lust as the sun was sinking, and
naked for entertainment for myself and
beast for the night. !.
The man Of the house was an ordi.
nary.looking farmer, illiterate, and not
over intelligent, but, on the whole, what
seemed to be pretty fair, respectable
sort of a person, with nothing sufficient
" wicked or sinister in his appearance
to cause me any apprehension.
His wife, to my surprise, was quite
penteel and educated, and seemed to
possess good deal Of lady.like refine
ment.
And what was more to my surprise,
considering the lonely, out-of-the'way
locality, she had a sister living with her,
about twenty-five years OF age, who was
really quite beautiful-rather tall, with
bright, intelligent features, dark, glossy
hair, and large, soft, fascinating gray
eyes. :, E.. .
servant, and two sturdy negro men as
farm hands, one of whom took charge
of my horse. ;
From the ladies, at the very first, I
received that cordial welcome which is
often extended to any respectable
stranger who may bring them fresh
news from the great world beyond their
-of-the-wsy home.
Being naturally of sociable turn.
readily fell into conversation with the
two, answered all their many questions
to the best of my ability, and really
took, if the truth must be confessed, not
a little fancy to the unmarried sister-I
being at this time not bad-looking
bachelor Of thirty, with some molina
ton to get married, if I could lind
suitable partner, and settle down to
domestic life.
As at this time carried considera-
BILE sum of money about my person,
though concealed in such manner as
never to show more than was necessary
for my travelling purposes, often felt a
good deal of uneasiness in strange
quarters; but in this case experienced
none whatever, and congratulated my
self upon having fallen into the hands
of refined, intelligent and honest peo-
pie.
If the young lady did not fancy me
in return, l am greatly mistaken, for her
manners were very cordial, her CONVEX
sation very genial, and often detected
her large, soft, gray eyes fixed upon me
with what seemed more than passing
interest.
Il hope, Mr.. Waters" she said among
other pleasant things q had already
given her my name and learned her
owa in return), "you will be successful
in finding farm to suit you somewhere
in this region-for the more agreeable
neighbors we have, the less lonely and
solitary we shall be"
Thank you, Miss Sinclair I replied,
in the same vein: II should be de-
lighted to have this family within visit
ing distance. And when am settled"
added, with a light laugh, II hope
you and your good sister, Mrs. Farron
here, will help me to select q mistress
to take charge of my dwelling, for that
is what shall require next"
"D'yer want wife or housekeeper?'
bluntly inquired the farmer.
Both in one," / again laughed.
~Then, s'pose you git your farm some
whar in these diggins and 60 for our
Nellie ere. Shed make ye team that
wouldn't kick in the traces
~Now, Amos exclaimed Miss Nellie
Sinclair, blushing crimson, as she closed
his mouth with her pretty hand. Il
think You had better 60 to bed and not
be up here meddling in matters You
don't understand
Il understand that 'er hint though
laughed the brother-in-lav, loudly, for