Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-07-04
oREGoN's STOCK QUEEN.
u Beautiful Maiden Who Manages Her
Fathers Cattle Ranch.

Fathers Cattle Ranch.
There were large herds of good
looking horses and cattle feeding in
the valley. They could not belong to
the Indians we had seen. They, the
Indians, were the pictures of distress.
If those withered specimens of Dar-
wins fittest are the forefathers of
Joseph he could not boast of his an
cestors. But I suppose they were the
outcasts of the tribe left behind as
worthless in the line of war. The
question of the ownership of the sleek
herds was soon solved. In ramble of
half a mile up Imnaha creek we came
to a neat log house, a well-kept door,
yard and orchard. Gentle COWS were
feeding in the meadows and general
assortment of domestic animals were
inside the good, strong fences. We
were surprised TO find such evidence of
refinement in wilderness that could
be reached only by narrow trails and
pack-horses. There is not wagon
road within twenty miles of the I'M
naha.
While we were bordering over the
pretty home picture the jar of heavy
feet was heard. Some young horses
came down a steep hill at full run.
Behind was a reckless, rapid rider.
The loose stock dashed past. The
horse that bore the rider was tossing
his head madly and singing white
foam in flakes from his mouth. He
was a rearing, restless, leavy-built,
regulation bronco, but it was remarked
that he was we'll under control, for he
seemed to be fairly lifted from side TO
side by the reins at the will of the rider,
who drew up to our resting-place. We
stared in way that was not mannerly.
even in the wilds of Oregon. The
rider of the restless poly was a young
girl. She waited with embarrassment
for us to tell our errand.
"Who lives here?" we asked.
II do" she replied, in tone that
did not make us feel any more at home.
"Whose garden is this?" was the next
question.
Mime"
After pause she added: ''Can I do
any thing for you, gentlemen?"
''Well, we'll, no. was about the only
Ineligible answer at command.
''Will you come to the house?" she
added. lit is near dinner-time.''
AS she rode before we looked upon a
graceful rider, a well-rounded. neat fig
ure, a brunette with the languid beauty
so much admired in the Castilian wom-
en-, clad in coarse, strong, short skirts,
below which showed small boot and
a keen, bright spur. Her rich saddle
was new and strong and double-rigged.
Her horse had not stopped at the gate
till she sprang to the ground. My
companion stepped forward with a
Chesterfield bow, but too late to assist
her. She asked us to 60 to the house
while she led her horse to the stable.
When we were within rod of the door
we both started with surprise. A re-
pulsive, sullen, Sowing Indian was at
each window. They were out of place
amid such surroundings. But we had
no time for surmises. The pretty young
girl was at our side.
"Come in; be seated" she said in a
voice. which, with its modulations of
refinement, treasured us. In another
minute we had excused our fair hostess
and were gazing about at the home
furniture and rude ornaments of the
regulation country houses Dinner
was soon announced by the hostess,
who appeared almost radiant in her
white apron and dark beauty. AS we
entered the dining-room we looked in
every corner for a dark-browed crouch
ing Indian, but the young lady did the
honors unaided. She poured the tea
with just enough embarrassment to
highten her languid charms. She
seemed to think an explanation was in
order, and was ready, with little en-
couragement, to talk of herself.
Her father had lived on that ranch
before she was born. When not in
convent she had ridden the ranges with
him, and was thoroughly posted in
the management of stock, although
five years had been spent in school.
my father" she said, "died four
years ago, leaving me in charge of the
ranch and stock. There were over
5000 head on the range at that time. I
sold over a 1000 head, which brought
about $4,000. I have now more cat
tie and horses than when took charge
of the ranch. No, I don't live alone.
My mother is here. She never sees
company. She is a native-was a
member of Joseph's tribe when father
married her." That she said with
blush, and hastily added that she tried
hard to gain a respectable position in
the world, but she was surrounded only
by her mothers people, who aided her
in her work. She expected, however,
to sell her stock. The range is not as
good as it was years ago. When she
retired she would live in Walla Walla
or some other city, for she was anxious
to learn the ways of good society. We
were greatly surprised to learn that our
hOctoes was half-hreod Tn bor foo+,,roa