Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-12-20

tenderly. His brown cheek was clos
to her pale one.
.An' who. Chip7" he whispered.
can you, Posy," she answered
softly.
Boys" Old Man Ashburn was say
ing as Posy rejoined the group abou
the door, things looks might.
black. She's a-sufferin' an a-sufferin
| an"
Posy rushed to his cayuse. flung
himself into the saddle and dashed
away across the prairie, followed b!
his comrade.
Il couldn't stand it." he told them
| as the ponies bounded away to tn
eastward Il jest couldn't stand t.
hear that pore ole cuss a-tellin' o
little Chip a-gettin' nearder and nearde1
death, an he, her dad, not able to hell
herr
Say" said Santa Fe, suddenly, 1--WE
ort-''
You bet" interrupted Posy. 1--WE
ort, an we will do"
Thar comes Hank!" broke in
Reddy Rose, as the little mules and
faded blackboard that comprised the
turnout of Hank Bitters, the mail
carrier, emerged from the distant
timber.
Hanks got a passenger"
Obedient to the touch of the huge
Mexican spurs, the cayuses bounded
towards the approaching vehicle at
the cowboys favorite gait, q keen
run.
Hank Bitters' passenger, an old gen.
tleman with phenomenally bald head
and general appearance of almost
owlish wisdom, had been growing more
and more uncomfortable ever since en-
tering the cattle country. The con-
versation of the stage-driver. and later,
of Hank Bitters, had not served to al
lay any of his apprehension.
IVY" said Hank, with great
gravity, "some Nv these yere cowboys
is pizon-plumb pizon! An reckless i!
Wal, reckless h'ain't no name for it!
bad!"
His auditor shivered.
Kill man! Jest as quick as to
eat! Durn sight quicker, some of 'em!
I've knowed-"
He paused and gazed thoughtfully at
the tall hat of his companion.
"rve knowed 'em to shoot States
man jest fer wearin' a plug hiatt"
MY stars!" shivered the passen-
ger.
"Knowed wuss'n that Wy, out on
the Soap River Range"
And Hank Bitters luridly pictured
the depravity of the cowboys of the
Soap river region.
But surely they would not harm
me-" quavered the passenger, If they
we're apprised of my IDENTIFY"
(which?
IF they knew who l was"
"Mebby they'd let you off easy"
consoled Hank.
"And when we come in contact with
them you will do your best to soothe
them?"
"rn do what l kim" returned
Hank. But it's mighty finnicky busi-
ness"
And so he worked upon the fears of
his passenger till the old gentleman
gazed apprehensively about, as if he
expected to see dozen fierce cowboys
leap from behind every bush, to make of
his person an lmpromptu revolver-tar-
get. He was nearly ready to cry out
with alarm when, as they emerged from
the timber, he beheld Sante Fe and
his comrades careering towards them.
The yells of recognition with which
they greeted Hank. while still rods
away. sent a thrill of terror through
the old gentleman.
Tell them who l amr' he whis-
pered, hoarsely. Tell them l am a
man of peace bound on an errand of
"rll do the best l kim returned
Hank, with an inward CONFUSION.
"But it's mighty risky business!
They're pizon, plumb pizon!"
As the cowboys circled about the
blackboard the passenger almost gave
up all hope.
Tell them!' he whispered to
Hank.
That worthy, with tremendous
wink at Santa Fe, called out:
Don't be brash, boys! This yere
gents on his way to visit ole-time
friend down on the CimarrOn, what's
got crippled boy. As favor to me,
don't hurt him. Names Doc Bristow,
NJ. D., NV"
WHAT" cried Posy. "A doctor?
Got yer tools an medicine along,
doc?"
"Yes. SIR" quavered the physician.
"Got them alongr' cried Posy.
4" Then yer jest
"Hold onr' broke in Santa Fe,
Posy's idea. 1--WE don't
want no botch doctor. Doc, air you
up to yer game?"
ct hardIr-S