The west Tennessee star. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1888, 1888-08-17

The GkOUND.
Enthusiastically, he reached out red
hand and gently stroked her hay
colored hair.
Tell me all about it, leetle gall" he
said.
Then, with many sobs and lamenta-
tions, Liz told him the story of her dis
appointment.
She was blessed with a voice of
more than ordinary sweetness and
compass, and, even then, it gave
promise of something wonderful un-
der cultivation. It had been her own
longing and the desire of her father,
the crippled squatter, that Liz should
receive a musical as well as a general
education.
can kin sing, toor' the girl said,
half proudly, as she looked with her
eyes shining through her tears.
''Jest Hssen."
Although her voice was still thin
and childish, it sounded marvelously
sweet to the cowboys ears. 1t was a
simple, old-fashioned ballad that she
sung. He had beard it before in the
little home among the New England
hills. It took him back to the days
when he had been one of the happy
group about the open fire place, who
had listened as his mothers voice ca
rolled the old-fashioned songs of her
girlhood days.
Then, as the child ceased, there was
a glimmer, as of moisture before the
cowboys eyes.
''Do sing nicep" the girl questioned
anxiously.
Like hooking bird" Yankee an
swered.
She went on with her story. 1t was
impossible for the cripple to obtain
the means to give Liz even the rudi-
ments of the musical education they
both so much desired.
A year before, an old-time neighbor
of the squatter's boyhood days, who
had prospered amazingly in the West,
had offered to bear the expense of LIS
musical education whenever she might
come to him.
He did not realize that the sum nee
essary to carry her to the great city
where he lived was far beyond their
reach, and, as they were too proud to
ask, he never thought to send it. But,
he renewed his offer and wrote for Liz
to come, whenever they thought her
old enough. The squatter, by dint of
close economy, managed to procure a
| calf This was considered LIS prop
erty, and she devoted all possible time
to hurrying the animal on toward
maturity. Upon the arrival of that
condition the animal was to be disposed
of and the proceeds used to take Liz to
the great city where her education was
to begin. The calf had at last become
the sleek, sharp-horned Cherokee
! heifer. In q week or two, she would
have been ready for sale, and then
LIS happiness would have begun.
| Now, all her bright dreams had been
dissipated.
| AS she finished, Yankee mounted the
waiting pony.
'tStay yer till git back, leetle gal, -
he said. 'I'm goin' to see if / KANT
find the teller what killed yer heifer. a."
The cowboys gathered around the
campfire by the grub wagon" jumped
up in anger and astonishment as Yam
lzee dashed up like a whirlwind, and,
rushing up to the fire, kicked over the
skillet in which choice cut of "ante-
lope" steak was frying. The cook
started toward him with a ladle of hot
soup in his hand with the intention of
speedily avenging the overseeing of
the meat by scalding the perpetrator
of the outrage.
Hold on thar, Jaker commanded
Dock Walters. Les yer what Yank's
got to say. Sumpin' riled him, 1
reckon"
Then Yankee told the story of the
forlorn little figure sobbing beneath
the jack-oak.
.sThats too d--n badr' was Dock
Walters comment.
You betr' agreed several of uhe
cowboys.
Then Dock gave few rapid orders.
"Jake, he said to the cook, dump
out every last bit of that thar ANTE
lope.' Then you an Skinny keep your
eyes on the cattle. Me an the boys is
goin' to settle up leetle debt that we
owe"
Yer. Dock, said the cook, as he
handed the other greasy bill, ''if ye
happen to see a little gal that owe,
| give her this. "
AN chimed in Skinny, ''f We see
anuther gal that owe, givP her this. .
And he added two silver dollars to the
bill in Dock Walters hand.
Away sped the ponies with their
reckless riders saying never a word
till they halted about the child, who
was still sobbing bitterly.
''Beetle gal. said Yankee, 'sme an
the boys found the Teller what killed
yer ante-yer COW. an we tuck enough
money away from him TO pay you.
BOYS, how much did each nv We gitP''
Each cowboy tossed down beside her
what he could spare, and the little
heap represented goodly sum, al
most thrice the value of the butchered
heifer.
Dock added to it the offerings OF
Skinny and Jake. Wrapped in Jake's
greasy bill was a shining gold piece
from Dock Walters own pocket
Then, as Liz smiled joyously through
her tears and bashfully thanked them.
Yankee said; Sing that thar ole
song agin. won't ye?'
They sat in silence. as mute and mo-
tjonless as statues, while her childish
voice rose sweet and clear with the
words Of the old-fashioRed ballad.