Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-08-17
Half-bashfully, he reached out rec
less fnce.

HalI-DaShlully, he reached out u red
hand and gently stroked her hay
colored hair.
"Tell me all about it, leetle gal" he
said
Then, with many sobs and lamenta-
tions, Liz told him the story of her dis
appointment
She was blessed with voice of
more than ordinary sweetness and
compass, and, even then, it gave
promise of something wonderful UNI
der cultivation. 1t had been her own
longing and the desire of her father,
the crippled squatter, that Liz should
receive II musical as well as general
education.
"An' hin sing, too!'' the girl said,
half proudly, as she looked with her
eyes shining through her tears.
"Jest lissen."
Although her voice was still thin
and childish, it sounded marvclously
sweet to the cowboys ears. 1t was II
simple, old-fashioned ballad that she
sung. He had beard it before in the
little home among the New England
hills. 1t 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
glimmer, as of moisture before the
cowboys eyes
"Do sing nice?" the girl questioned
anxiously.
Like n moclSing bird" Yankee an
swcred.
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
o. the squatters 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 neo-
essary to carry her to the great city
where he lived was far beyond theiP
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 u
calf. This was considered LIS prop
crty, 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 week or two, she would
have been ready for sale, aud thea
Liz's happiness would have begun.
Now, all her bright dreams had been
dissipated.
As she finished, Yankee mounted the
waiting pony.
"Stay yer till git back, leetle gal"
he said. I'm goin' to see if | liaint
find the feller what killed yer heifer."
The cowboys gathered around the
campfire by the grub wagon" jumped
up in anger and astonishment as Yam
kce dashed up like n 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 ladle of hot
soup in his hand with the intention of
speedily avenging the oversetting of
the meat by scalding the perpetrator
of the outrage.
"Hold on thar, Jake!" commanded
Dock Walters. LES yer what Yank's
got to say. Sumpin' riled him, l
reckon"
Then Yankee told the story of the
forlorn little figure sobbing beneath
the jack-oak.
"That's too d-n bad!" was Dock
Walters comment.
"You bet!' 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.n
Yer, Dock" said the cook, as he
handed the other greasy bill, "if ye
happen to see little gal that | owe,
give her this"
"An'," chimed in Skinny, "if ye see
anuther gal that | owe, give 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.
"Leetle gal," said Yankee, "me an
the boys found the feller what killed
yer ante-yer COW, an we tuck enough
money away from him to pay you.
Boys, how much did each Nv ye gitP"
Each cowboy tossed down beside her
what he could spare, and the little
heap represented a goodly sum, al
most thrice the value OF the butchered
heifer.
Dock added to 1t the offerings of
Skinny and Jake. Wrapped in Jake's
greasy bill was 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 agln, won't yep
They sat in silence, as mute and mo-
tionless us statues, while her childish
voice rose sweet and clear with the
words of the oid-lashioned ballad.