Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-11-08

knottea snd lying snugiy under the rolling
collar Of his gray flannel shirt, or . pair Of
long riding-hoo. Of exceptional make. All
this finery, however, was reserved for other
places than the ranch, and other occasions
than the days passed there. The most Gym
zeal OF @old.timers" found nothing to criti-
else in his display thereof when he rode into
Pueblo for day Of combined business and
pleasure; and, in . way, they felt a local
pride in one who could hold q certificate Of
competency from such q Sir Hubert as
Broncho Sam, and at the same time be, by
the canons of that longitude, . very respect
able swell" Moro than one young lady
member OF soma party Of personally con-
ductedntourists had looked admiringly at him
from the window Of the Denver Pullman as he
sat on his horse near the station platform;
and the landlord Of the Arcade saloon was
understood to have, in o rare interval OF
sobriety, expressed the opinion that such an
exhibition was good for the interests OF the
region. Why said he, thar amt no
two ways about it. When them thar ten
derfeet N, fancy tourists sea an outfit like
tibet. they'll kind o think ranchin' is boss
business, an it III put 'em up to comin' out
here an buyin' land, ar startin' boom in
ranches. an helpin' trade. Yer see, they'll
think all ranchm.n is like him, an they'll
git mighty badly left; but tibet amt your
funeral nor mine. Say, young Teller,
what III yer takei Nothinf Wa'al, suit
yersef.r
Tires miles above the ranch where JACK
lived was another, Of rather better charac-
ter as regarded its buildings. which stood
close to the bed of the creek. 1t belonged 10
a man named Simpson. Most people liked
him: few knew him we'll There was
vague impression abroad that Simpson had
4 history, and that his ownership Of a west
ern ranch was but an episode In life far
different from that to which most or his
neighbors had been born; but there was tina.
about him that repealed inquisitiveness.
His cattle were numerous and in good con-
dition: he was active and efficient in the
roundup, but his patronage Of the Arcade
saloon was OF the scantiest, and he was
somewhat eccentric in the making up OF
what in another and more formal state Of
society would have been yisiting-list.
Those, however, who had enjoyed the hos
pitalit.es of Simpsons ranch had much to
saw of wife who often wore "stors
clothes and of a daughter OF about l9. as
pretty girl, it was reported, as had ever
been seen from Denver down to Cucharas,
and as bright as the sunlight on the plains
Not many had seen her; fewer still knew her,
yet her fame had gone abroad. She was
graciously idealized; she was held 70 be-
long, in q sense, to tbs region; AID there
was not a cowboy on the range who would
not have broken a lance Tor, what was far
more practical, emptied his fx-shooter) as
her champion.
Among tn, visitors at Simpsons ranch We
may DO surs that Jack Reynolds was num-
fered. His first v.>it was mate at a nota-
bio time in its history. Two days before
stopping to return q horse which be had
found straying), he had made the acquaint.
| ance Of the family. Simpson himself had
gone away. He had been in Pueblo, and
the postmaster stated ut the Arcade that he
had received q large and thick letter, but
he was little misty as to the postmarE
| That night Simpson departed. Some people
| thought he rode little to the northwari,
| and took train at a small station. A
| theory that he secreted himself in a freight
car also found supporters Bat one individ-
ual, ard he was half inebriated. had sus-
gested suicide, and be had been promptly
| elected from tho saloon by the force OF pub
| lie opinion.
Months and months had passed, and Simp-
| son had no. appeared. Wonder grew as to
| us "ueIcdDOuSS, uliCu ipsies "sA' ShSSN
| dered as to the condition and feelings OF his
| family, and no little effort was made to
| crafty this curiosity. Whatever the wife
and daughter, thus seemingly deserted. may
have felt. however, they gave no sign to
visitors No one was there half SO often a
| Jack eynolds. and there was general. II
nnspoken. sentiment abroad that this was as
| il should be; also that it would bs alike i'm
proper and futile TO seek for any informtion
| about Simpson from him. No better test,
| indeed, could there be OF tho esteem IN
| which he was held than this rare self-ahne-
| CATION.
Again several months passei, and still
there appeared no Simpson His neiShbor;
were more puzzled. more curiou-, more
| hoy ele>>ly in the dark. than ever, AMI they
began to feel aggrievei. Broncho Sam had
been voiciny this sentiment, in converse
ton with his assistant, when he made thS
declaration with which this story OPEN.
AMI which was preceded by another.
Il jest tell yer" said he, that when q
man lights out and leaves sech a good ap
| pearin' wife an such pooty little gal ez l.
up TO Simpsons an don't seni EN- no word,
it's playin' it down pretty low on EN-. on