River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-09-12

Z F-&x& But Cyrus Man
?, fG ming Eeq' Of Chi
y W. cagO. was generally
abrupt with his social interiors. And
with the millionaire such was Dick
Prater, his head clerk, despite the
Iattcrs business accomplishments, good
birth and tyO-tlOusand-dOllar salary.
Then, too, Millionaire Manning
might have thought his clerks re-
quest the reverse Of mOdesty. For
that young man. with an abruptness
almost equal 70 that of his employer,
had acknowledged TO a mutual attach
Tnent between himself and pretty Doris
Manning, her fathers only child and
heiress elect. and with equal abrupt
ness. he had asked Mr.. Manning's con-
sent to their ultimate union. Aud the
above negative had settled it-at least
as far as Cyrus Manning, Esq, was
concerned.
The Ominous mOnosyllable changed
the whole tenor Of Dick Prater life.
Nol,fhough. in the way it would had il
been given by Doris herself Dick
threw up his clerkship, drew his saw
iugs (uo incousiderable sum- from the
bank. and quietly bade pretty Doris
goodbye, with his usual OsculatOry ac-
complishments.
BE true To me. dear, and when /
ask him again the answer will be
yes, said this young man Of few
words. but sound, practical ideas. And,
with her lips very near his own. she
said she would. Then Dick went away.
CuriOusly enough he struck due
west 10 the region presumably given
over 10 cattle, cowboys, and wandering
bands of playful Indians varying the
monotOny of reservation life by shoot
ing aud scaIping the white settlers
Turned cowboy. and all on account
Of woman" sneered some of his
friends when they heard Of it.
''I.evcsicLs young fool, growled
Millionaire Manning. who missed the
services Of his right-hand man more
han he was willing 10 own.
For harsh Judgment i as easy when
the hidden springs 81 action are not
open to public view. The presump-
ton was that father and daughter had
alike ncgativcd Dicks suit Aud that,
rendered reckless after the manner Of
ordinary Young men sc to-day. Dick
had thrown himself away-sO to
speak.
Yc.. even had this presumption been
true, they forgot that Dick Prater was
no ordinary young man, but rather Of
the extraordinary pattern
a tcnderfoot from waybachS, was
the trst verdict when Dick, with his
pale. refined face. quiet. unassuming
manner and Discrimination 20 fiery
Huid~. first Joined himself 10 Myers
gang ou tho Lone Star rancho.
You las low with your chin
music awhile. remarked Ben Drake.
VI no had been quietly sizing up the
newcomer. impressions ain
corrcc'. To my way OF th.nkin'." con-
tirucd the oracle, amid respectful 81
lcnc, -;hc Young TelIcr Is white and
solid m-tt clean through. with his
backbone packed in sand jest wait
Tho vigorously picturesque verbiage
or tie West had its wait Six
months later il was unanimously
agreed that Bon was prophet Of the
first water. True. Dick was not yet
able To conquer a bucking broucho-
his aim with Wmchcste- or revolver
was "a trife uncertain under hundred
ward range. and he objected TO drink
ing whisky 81 such potency that one
smile thereof had been known To dis
able 2 tcuderfooi for life.
Chicago didn't grow mp ON ter
pe,rurie in "a day-he'll catch on 70 all
them things in time. said Drake
again. cyacularly. And a., in most other
respects. Dicks companiouship and
services wcro perfectly satisfactory.
he was favored with the general re-
gard Of his rOugher companions.
Meanwhile hc was becoming a Judge
OF cattle. au expert as 20 the quality
Of grass on -razinE lands keen at a
bargain. and thoroughly posted on the
resources Of the Western country
Thus it came about that another
year saw Dick Prater the working
partner with two young English capt
talists in Northwestern Nebraska, own
ing in common six thousand head of
cattle. and an lSX20 log structure,
known as 1.-The rancho.
Toward evening of Il certain low ering
day he found himself many miles from
hOue-if the missioner Is applicable
aftes a vain search for SOME forty
str avs stampeded from tie main
herr the night before.
II was not MS first experience Of the
kind by airy means. 50. with few
hearty malel.c;ivns on cattle in gcner-
al and ''st.lvs~ in particular. as a sort
a grace before meat. Dick finished the
cold lunch contained in his haversack.
pickcted his pony. and retired That
is 10 say. he wrapped himself up in his
gray blanket. and with ais saddle for a
pillow, the short-grown grass - a
mattress. he lay down 20 healthful.
dreamless slumber.
Towards midnight be was Weakened
by n roar like thunder He struggled
70 sitting postUre,-the terrible
breath OF a blizzard came striking.
wall-like. down from the distant hills
and canyons,
In twinxiing the Srs.y blanket was