, 1889-01-04

As other of More Civilized Surround
inrs-shcdding Tears with a comrade
In Trouble.
Much has beer written regarding cow
boy life on the plains. and much of that
writing has been so magnified that the
unsophisticated are led to believe that
the cowboy is n veritable terror, whose
glory lies in riotous conduct and termi-
mating the existence of fellow beings.
Such belief is exceedingly erroneous, for,
aside from many other noble traits, the
cowboy has n heart rs sympathetic as a
female. This was demonstrated just the
other day, when Long Tom Letter n
his gang were herding cattle about thirty
miles to the north Of this little place, in
the region of the Musselshcll river, writes
n correspondent from Livingstone, NJ. 7.
Letter is a New Yorker, and came to the
northwest some years 6 with his wife
and mother. Every COW puncher on the
plains knew Aunt Mag, as Long Toms
mother was Familiarity known. She al
ways had n kind word for them, and her
devout Christianity had won respect from
every one who had ever struck Long
Toms ranch. Letters lengthy form had
given him the sobriquet of Long Tom,
and he had worked his way up from a
common hcrder TO captain OF a gang.
AUNT A s DEAD.
One day he was in the vicinity of Mus
selshcll with a heavy herd bound for
Billings. Night was drawing near. and
the boys had just got themselves ready
TO ride down the cattle and go into camp.
Away to the west appeared n horse head
ing for the herd. Although not more
than fairly outlined as n horse. Long Tom
knew the animal. an extra he had at the
ranch
Some ones comm on, Dick" he said;
there's sumthin' wrong tn home"
The horse drew nearer, and the rider
wa recognized MS Letters wife. Bare
headed she galloped up and almost gnsped
for breath IA she said, Mothers deadV'
Long Toms eyes fell, and as his hand
threw his horses name under the bride
rein he called to his men that ''Shorty
Morton will take my place" and heading
for home, his wife and himself were OIL
ut n Eallop.
After the cattle had been ridden down
for the night Morton, who had been as
signed to take charge of the gang. called
the men together. Morton comes from
some place in Ohio near Hudson, in the
Western reserve. and Is a college grad
uatc. The roaming life Of the cowboy
fascinated him, and he's discarded his
diploma for n larint.
''Buys," he said. we've got TO do some
thing. Here's Tom out here away from
civilization. with his mother dead, and
Aunt Mag was a noble woman" His
emotion chokcd back anything further
he desired TO say.
"Fcllers.- it was Jersey Bilrs~ voice
inearly every man in the gang had n
nicknamel ''Shorty's right. We've got
To hev n decent buryin' for Aunt Mag.
Some OF MS kin light out fer Billings an
git a coffin, an Wen try an fix things
sum way"
A NIGHT R1DR WITH A COFFIN.
h suggestion met with favor, but
Billings, the nearest point where n coffin
was obtainable, was over twenty miles
10 the southeast. 1t was agreed TO eend
there for n coffin. And at 0 o'clock that
night Jersey Bill" was tightening up
he girth on his pony.
I'm take Joe Relly's pony with me to
carry the coffin, andll DO back by sun
up"
As he swung into the saddle his com
panions crowded round and pressed
money into his hands.
Get the best, Bill; Aunt Mays worth
it," was the parting admonition from his
companions. All night that little crowd
of cowboys sat around the fire and reluc-
family took their turn at picket duty
around the herd, as all were anxious to
offer suggestions for Aunt Mays funeral.
Dawn was just breaking when Jersey
Bill showed up with n neat, cloth COW
cred coffin, which was taken to Letters
ranch ut once. Long Tom was stunned,
ms he was just preparing to start on u
mission similar TO that of Jersey Bill.
Tho remains of Aunt Mag were tenderly
placed in the coffin by Mrs. Letter and
her husband.
That afternoon n burial took place
such n burial rs seldom occurs. Willing
hands had dug n grave on a knoll north
of Letters cabin. Tho pastor, pail
bearers and mourners were COWBOYS.
and the sympathy there manifested came
from deep down in the heart. Prior TO
~depositing the coflined form of all that
was mortal of Aunt Mag in the grave,
Morton made brief remarks, eulogizing
the good deeds Of the deceased. Every
head in the group that stood around the
grave was uncovered and the lashes of
every eye glistened with moisture. Drops
of liquid crystal rolled down Jersey Bills
checks as he stopped over to aid in de
posting the coffin in the grave. Al
though devoid of the pomp and
formality Of n funeral in tho midst Of
civilization, no more sincere, sorrowing
mourners ever gathered around q bier
than the crowd Of cowboys that laid
Aunt Mag 10 rest.-Chicago Herald.