Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-05
Jimmy and the Duke.

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Jimmy was ragged and dirty an,
alone, but no scion of royalty ever carriet
his head higher, or wore both hand
in his trousers, pockets with more un
concern than did Jimmy that day. VIVA
if everybody else vas riding on tn,
beach-guess he'd had 8 clam bake ofhil
own that morning, and could give thu
best of them pointers on the manage
ment of a sail boat any day. AS TO,
driying-bah! hadn't he two good legs
of his own, and-"whew-w! if that ISM
q turn cut, now" and Jimmy stopped
stock still to gaze.
Ascend look told the whole story
"Its the dukew he exclaimed, in that
tone of awe which every sovereign
citizen of America uses when speaking
of rank, II heard he'd come to the beach
and that's him, cure as fate. Well, il
that amt clipper
Two coal black horses in glittering
harness danced before the natty road
cart, and were deity driven by rather
bored looking, blonde whiskered young
man in cool, baggy coat and straw
hat, while upon the slightly raised seat
in the rear was most imposing elderly
parsonage, in spick and span suit OF
dark blue with gilt buttons, topped by a
tai, roseted hat. Jimmy gave but one
glance at the former, then turned to the
other with wide curious eyes.
"It's the duke, sure" be muttered.
my! amt he 8 .7ell, though! Looks as
if he'd growed round a ramrod, he's 80
stiff. Well, l believe Pm glad 1 amt
one-he! there'll be bust up, sure" and
Jimmy was of like shot.
A "bust up" indeed, for the gay horses
SHE'D fercely at the sudden Tapping of
a sail spread out to dry, dashed the of
wheel against rock, and canting the
light cart over so far as to tip Jimmy's
"duke" to the ground. He came down
rather heavily upon the clean sand, his
gorgeous hat rolling to meet an incom-
ing breaker, but the driver seemed too
much occupied with his plunging horses
to pay any attention to his aristocratic
master.
A little surprised at his GOODNESS and
unconcern, jimmy ran for the hat, and
returned it with his best bow, the
"duke" meanwhile brushing off the sand
and muttering between his teeth:
"Deuced hunlucky! Spoilt my trousers,
I'll wager. Oh, thanks, hoy, is it 'urt
hany?" referring to the hapless tile.
"No, sir, Mr.. Duke, not all" stammer-
ed Jimmy rather at loss for the proper
formula to use. "was your majestry
hurt?"
The duke frowned, and muttering,
"Quit your chat, now!' turned away.
leaving Jimmy to feel decidedly re-
pulsed.
The horses were qnieted by this time,
however, and their driver turned to ask,
coolly:
"Hurt much, Milliard?" (Jimmy
thought he said "my lord" "I'm afraid
this wheels disabled-what do YOU
Think" gazing leisurely downward.
''Pretty COOL" thought Jimmy, 81 spos-
ed these furrin' servants was better
trained; he acts and talks every bit as
kee,less as pas hired man-didn't even
jump out to help the duke up, swan!
Say, Mr.. Coachy," he suggested here,
"my pas got blacksmith shop lust on a
ways-pr'aps the duke would like to 90
there and get the wheel mended; it's the
only place anywhere within mile,
He stopped, for there was queer ex-
preston on Coachy's face, which rather
staggered him-a blank stare, succeeded
by a sudden, brilliant, amused light in
the handsome eyes, which was almost
more than a smile.
THAT you, my boy" he responded,
pleasantly, that's good suggestion; if l
walk the horses think we can keep the
wheel on till we get there. Jump up
here, and point out the way, will your"
Nothing loath, Jimmy started forward,
with look toward the "duke" for an.
probation, but that high and mighty per
sonage had resumed his place and posi-
ton, seemingly so oblivious of every-
thing that the boy thought.
"Spose they never trouble him with
small matters, but just fix i'm up and
send in the bill" and quickly mounted
beside his new friend.
They rode in silence awhile, then,
drawing little closer, Jimmy whispered,
confidentially.
''if 'twant for the duke, now, 1 could
let you into no end of fun. I'll take pas
man all the afternoon to mend that
vince, and there's goin' to be q big we'd
DIM clost to our house-it's nv cousin
Vines (Malviny, you know, and she's
The prettiest gal in the country, too, You
zee if she amt Wouldn't you like to go?"
Again that brilliant look.
To be sure would, and will ~ de-
;idedly. "Are they going to dancer"
bet yer life! There's two 6ddlers and
Gordon man a comm, and it's goin' to
be in Vines pa's Lew barn. Won't that
% jolly?"
Decidedly jolly !" laughed Coachy.
but whai'n you do with the duke?"
pursued Jimmy, edging closer and drop.
ping his voice TO a whisper. We could |
TX him upa sort O. throne with grand
,as chair and the buffalo robe, and let
him look on, | s'pose, if he would-but,
you see, 'twould spoil all the fun-they'd |
De 80 scarf of him that they wouldn'
half dance, nor kiss the girls-nor
,othin'-don't you seer"
Yes, said Coachy, laughing outright, |
'ut quickly checking himself, "Yes, 1
'ee-lt is q dilemmap "Sayl' with |
another hitch, couldn't you get the old |
1uffer back to the hotel, somehow, and
you stay with us? These swells most |
Alters can ride horseback-now, we've |
got an old army saddle he could put on
)ne o. them HOSES. You seem sort of q
avorite with him. Can't you manager"
"Well, I"ll try" said Coachy, thought
ully, in spite of the broad smile upon
ais lips smile of satisfaction at the
pleasure, Jimmy felt sure
'I'llsuggeet it at least; he's generally