St. Landry democrat., 1888-05-19
THE COWBOYS SCHOOL.
A "Feller" That Wanted to Be
Taken as a Life Scholar.

meal gravy.
| ''lt's the truth; that's what it is!''
growled Sand, laying down his section
OF dodger and scowling at Stub
think l was lynn! sayr'
| 'No, returned the other. "Reckor
yer tellin' the truth, / mean, what:
that'over thar?''
Looks like Vaughn" said Der
haywood.
Long Ike Beadler. the fourth mem
Der of the group of cowboys. dining in
the shade of lone and ''scrubby'' jack
oak, said nothing, but continued to APP.
pease his appetite with huge bites OF
dodger and ''middling."
Wal, if it's Vaughn, what's it a
dom out yere, twenty mile from any
| road?n questioned Stub.
Can prove it by me-" answered
Sand.
Nor me- said Ben haywood.
Long Ike Beadler said nothing.
What dye reckon it's doin, Ike?"
questioned Sand.
"Movin'."
Short-tempered Sand, whose name
at one time had been Alexander some
| thing had, in his long contact with
life on the range, which had worn off
| the greater part of his name, gained
one bit of wisdom. That was not to
pick a quarrel with Long Ike Beadler.
SO he contented himself with a short
expression of great wrath.
That was all that could be said Of the
snail-like advance Of the distant vehi-
Gle. 1t was moving and little more.
By the time all but Long Ike had fin
ished their dinners, the COWBOYS had
decided to investigate the mystery.
Cattle will take keer NV themselves
while we're gone, l reckon" said
Sand.
They flung themselves onto their
sturdy "Cayuse" ponies and dashed
away ncross the prairie. Long Ike in
the rear, contentedly munching huge
chunk Of corn bread, the last of the
dinner.
Unjust be Old Man Poverty HIMSELF"
commented Ben haywood, as after
sharp ride they drew near the slowly
advancing vehicle. lone spring wagon
with rag for cover
lone big limpin' skeleton with boss
hide stretched over it," commented
Stub.
"Yes'n one little limpin' skeleton
with mule hide stretched over it, add
ed Sand.
Long Ike. busy with his corn-dodger,
said nothing
Whole outfit ain worth six bits"
said Stub Cant cure them limps.
If you had team that limped that-a-
way, Ike, what'd you do with emp
LET EN- limpr' Ike answered Ia
conically.
wal, I'll be switchedr' calculated
Stub, as they came close to the vehicle
ME, too!'' Ben and Sand echoed.
The broad -brimmed hat that con-
cealed the face of the driver of the
limping team was pushed back by a
small hand, and the sight of the face
that was revealed caused Sand to burst
out:
"Boys, it's a-a-''
"A girl'' put in Long Ike, so inter
ested that, for moment, he forgot to
munich the chunk of dodger.
Tackle her. Stubr' said Sand.
Tackle her yerself," was the reply.
I'm no good on pretty talk
sN,,,, Ron do tho @,l1-;,sff3 |
'.Not me, !" demurred Ben haywood.
Without word, Long Ike rode for
ward, and his comrades followed him.
Long Ike thrust the corn dodger into
the breast of his shirt, and, with mo-
ton that was intended to be graceful,
removed his hat, revealing mop Of
lair that seemed total
stranger to the application of a comb.
Instantly tho other cowboys initiated
his example, and, in turn, exposed
shocks of hair as tangled as was the
thatch of Long Ike.
Don't be skeered, miss began
Ike, practically. 1--WE won't poster
you. That thar's Ben haywood. Eel
'Oi HCAb W Hill 10 OAHU. AL VIC llstllc
he's got. | reckon. Little fellow thar
Is Stub Tally. An this yere''-indi-
eating himself-..is Ike Beadler.''
AS each was introduced he made an
elaborate but awkward bow, and fur
lively rubbed his mop of hair. as if in
hope of reducing its rebellious snarls
TO more presentable appearance.
Il am glad 10 meet you, gentlemen"
The girl said Pleasantly.
Much obleeged to ye, !" returned
long Ike, while the rest repeated their
lwk ard bows.
Hits jest this-a-way," Ike went on.
None Nv our business what yer doan'
we're, an We hain't a-goin' to ask yer.
out if yer sorto felt like tellin' us,
Wy
They listened in silence while she
old her story-a simple story with
lash of originality and vein of pathos
through it.
Me an the boys began Long Ike,
when she had finished will
Thar goes the cattle?' shouted Ben
haywood.
They dashad away with such Snead