Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-04-05
CHIPS CURE.

broad matted n D~e-WeapOneu, Win
: iangling Mexican spurs and leather
chap leggings, dismounted, tied his
'-'csyuse" pony to the gnawed rack,
and joined the group Of cowboys
iounging in the shade OF Ashburn's
;s~ostofice. With each conner the first
question was;
slows Clipi"
mo BETTER Old Mar Ashburn re-
piled, each time.
Looks TO me like that thar was a
mighty heavy load TO put onto a child
like Chip" said Santa Fe, the cowboy,
with the gaudy Mexican sash about
has waist. A load NV pain an misery
big enough 10 break a man down, an
she noth'n' but a child"
Eyer right, only she h'ain'ta child"
spoke red checked Posy; she's
How old, Ashburn2"
Seventeen" Ashburn answered.
Hanged if l knowed." said Santa
&c. Reckon yer right; but / got so
ust to seein' her amongst us, a-ridin'
the cayuses an dancin' an laugbin' an
singin' like a happy child, that I'd
plumb forgot she'd growed up" e.
me, too" said Reddy Rose.
I'm nightly afeard she'll never
ride nur run no more" said Old Man
Ashburn. Ever sence she was a.
throwed she's ben a-gittin' slowly but
shorely worse an worse, an'"-
'TWal," interrupted Sante Fe, with
grim earnestness. Il h'aint never ben
sorry fer the way we run cut O. the
Range the cuss that roped the cayuse
an got her throwed."
'sNur mel" cried a cowboy chorus.
AT the sound Of a faint call, Old
Man Ashburn FASTENED within the
building. Presently b. appeared,
dragging carefully behind him q
splint bottomed rocking chair, in
which reclined the wasted form Of
little Chip, Ashburn's crippled daugh-
ter.
At sight of her, the impulsive cow
boys waved their broad hats and went
through the motions of shouting lusti-
ly. But very little sound came from
their distended mouths.
Hello, boysl" the little cripple
saluted, weakly. II Jest couldn't stay
in there any longer when | heard you
all talking. Pa didn't want me TO
come, but / told him
She lowed" interrupted Ashburn,
that she'd come out yere If she'd TO
crawl on her hands an knees, an /
reckon she'd"-
"You bet she'd a-done i'll" broke in
Santa Fe.
That's what she'd a-done," agreed
Keddy Rose.
How nice the sunshine seemsl"
said the little cripple. I've been
atthinkin' often hat mebby I'd never
git out into it ag'in to run an ride as
I ust TO. Some Way
SAINT" whispered Posy, hanged If
Ih'aint sorry we stopped at runnin'
out the cuss that got her throwed."
me. toof' returned Santa Fe. "Ort
TO a-killed him then an thar"
That's what we ort!' agreed Reddy
Rose
Even the slight exertion attendant
upon the short trip from the little bed
room to the door seemed almost too
much for Chips enfeebled frame. Her
face grew paler, and she leaned weari-
~ back in the old rocking chair.
"Mebby I'll never zee you again,
boys" she piped p
''Old man" interrupted Posy, you
better take her back now"
'But ! don't want to CO. the girl
protested. II want to stay an see the
boys. an'"-
As easily as II she had been Of but
n feathers weight, Posy took her in
his strong arms and carried her back
into her little bedroom carefully and
very tenderly. His brown cheek was
close 10 her pale one.
San who, Chip he whispered.
"An' you, Posy,' she answered,
softly.
'Boys, Old Man Ashburn was say.
ing as Posy rejoinod the group about
the door, things looks mighty black.
She's a -sutferin' an a sufferin'
AMI
Posy rushed TO bis cayuse, flung
himself into the saddle, and dashed
away across the prairie, followed by
his comrades.
II couldn't stand il, he told them,
as the ponies bounded away 10 the
eastward. Il Jest couldn't stand 10
hear that pore ole GUS a~-tellin' of little
Chip a7gettin' nearder an nearder
death, an he, her dad, not ablo TO help
herf"
',Say, said Santa Fe, suddenly, I'VE
ort"-
'You beti" interrupted Posy. 1--WE
ort, an we will do
THAR comes Hank" broke in Reddy
Rose, rs the little mules and faded
blackboard that comprised the turnout
Of Hank Bitters, the mail carrier,
emerged from the distant timber.
Hanks got a passenger
Obedient 10 the touch Of l.le hugo
Mexican spurs, the cayuses bounded
toward the approaching vehi lie at the
cowboys favorite gait. a keen run.
Hank Bitters' passenger, m old
GENTLEMAN with a phenomenally bali
bad and a general appecre.;aee "a
almost owlish wisdom. lad yesir -
ing more aud more unco,
ever since entering the cattle - .a-.
1be conversation Of the stage driver,
and later Of Hank Bitters, had not
seryed 10 allay any OF his apprehension.
IVY" said Hank, with great gray
ity, "some NV these yere cowboys Is
piUn-plumb pizoni An recklessi
Wal, reckless h'ainit no name for i'll
They badf'
He auditor shivered.