St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-12-07
''OLD STEADY'S" GAME.
The Trust Imposed in sold Grix-
Ely" Faithfully Kept.

AAO AIuOl AupOSeO Ii O1O 0II8
Ely" Faithfully Kept.
''Set thar. stranger. Mebbe you'll
fight? No? Humph! Lifted be toe
Ornery fiat without my 'baccy, an it.:
NO greet anyhow"
That's as We take it; but this is a
lonely place. How did you happen to
settle here?"
None o yer derned-nO matter.
Only folks round this canyon don't asa
too many questions. faint considered
good luck, not ter say healthy"
BEG your pardon; however. no Of
tense was intended"
Don't say no more-shake Polly.
bring the victuals-"
Polly Obeyed. the traveller watching
her attentively. She was one Of the
sights he had come TO see; an institu-
tion of this West which was so full oil
interest for him. Tall, 1.-the, graceful.
limpid-eyed. clear-skinned. spirited
and ignorant
flush rose under the tan of her check.
For the first time in her life she was
unpleasantly conscious Of her bare feet
brown and shapely though they were
and the feeling gave her head a
higher poisc. 1t may have been that
that made her stumble and spill the
contents of her earthen bowl over the
guests knees. as she passed him in the
narrow space before the deal table.
The flush deepened. and a quick tear
of anger sprang to the dark eye; she
faltered-half meaning to apologize
but an oath from her father checked
the incipient courtesy. and turning.
she left the cabin. A moment later
Barr caught CLEAN OF pink calico be-
hind a pile of rocks.
Old StinsOn also saw it. and sighed.
Don't wonder We say faint fit My
gal, thar, amt no chance She's
smart as a full-blOoded filly. Shed
orter ben sent East; but she won't
leave her old dad. Rough as be.
she sticks ter me. orter be shot for
cussin' her. Wall. / amt what wuz !;
settin' here watchin' an keepin' gyard
makes me narvOus."
The visitors eyes asked the ques-
ton from which his lips refrained.
The simple dinner eaten, the rem
nants were left to the flies. and the
mems chairs tilted back against the
outside of the house. Something in
the younger ones frank face and man.
ner had softcned .'Old Grizzly" to
reminiscent mood. and made him
strangely inclined to crafty an idle
curiosity.
Sage-bush, rock and alkali. The
shadow of the rude home stretched
out longer from its shelter John Barr
looked over the wilderness, and won
dered where in its vastness he should
find the man he sought
Stranger. Nv took a notion to We.
Ye've got a motion bout ye t minds
me o one knowed. Ye look like an
honest chap. Say! dye believe in
ghosts?"
he put the question suddenly.
eagerly; and a look of grieved disap-
pointment followed the mot at ALL
with which it was received.
do your"
Yep. I've seen EN-"
A thought had come to the other.
pityingly connected with the CLEAN of
pink calico.
There was long silence. The keen
eyes under the shaggy trows fixed
themselves on the guests face with in
tentuess; who-realizing what a god
send his chance visit must be to this
lonely soul-submitte6 in patience.
Cant you tell me about it?"
I'D be glad ter-derned glad! Eff
yen swar on yer derringer t We won't |
blah"
The temptation to smile was ban
ished by the thought Of that unshed
tear in Polly's dark eye. Humoring
the old man might help her.
"Pll swear" he said; and did.
Dye see Gender stun with the pile
O. dead bresh round it? an the heap
O rocks jest beyond?"
YES"
''Thets the spot Thet's what I'm
a-watchin'. an hev' got ter watch till |
the owner comes Stranger! I'm sure
shot. 1 don't bar no foolin' with e
We betray-'"
Il shall not betray you"
wall, l amt easy mistook a-readin' |
men. an I'm a-goin' ter trest We. I've
got ter. somebuddy. soon. Thar's = |
queer kind o pain in my side t warns |
me- Twic't I've lost my senses, an
when l come to l dedn't so much |
stren'th as a baby coyote. I'll lose
'em onct too often, an them
Il amt never told Polly yit I've
kinder hated ter. Women is narvous,
an I've ben a-gittin' that way myself
nuf ter know what mis- able feel it |
L.