Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-05-30
THE MISSING CALF.
It Appears Upon the Scene Ex-
actly on Time.

actly on Time.
''Some work for you to-day, Bruce, :"
said Mr.. Webster to his twelve-year-
old son at the breakfast table one
lovely morning in October, 1871.
Zone of the calves is missing; strayed
off down the creek. guess, and you
will have to look it up
"All right" replied Bruce, replen-
ishing his plate from the platter of
antelope steak.
81 was thinking of taking hunt to-
day any way, so 1 will take the shot
Jun along and try to kill duck or
two. see that there are few drop.
ping in from the North. expect it is
that fool Tom that's gone again. He
is always making us trouble!''
"You are right in regard to it being
Tom, but he is by no means foolish for
wandering off in search of better grass,
for the range about here is getting
poor. In fact, have about decided
to turn all the milk stock out for the
present They will be much better off
in the hills until the fall rains start a
new coat of grass. -
BETTER let Tom 60. then," suggest
cd Mrs. Webster. Turn out the rest
Reddy will find him."
"Just what would do if the calf
was branded; but. as it is, we will
have to get him up again. can't at
ford to run any risk of losing Tom; he
is about all the fine stock that we
own"
I'm have him corralled by noon,"
asserted Bruce. stoutly. Its pity 1
haven't got him broken to ride. so 1
could bring in my game on him"
First kill your game" replied his
father. 1T is just possible that you
will fail to return on this occasion with
either Tom or the ducks. And. by the
way, keep an eye open for strangers.
Caddo Bill, the Indian who was con-
fined at Fort Griffin awaiting trial for
murder, escaped the other day, and he
may drift through here on his way
westward. although the chances are
that he has been recaptured before
this"
''rll be ready for him." was the
con fident remark Of the frontier lad.
as he stood on tiptoes to reach the gun,
lying in its rack over the fireplace.
1--WE got one barrel loaded with big
shot. and if see any thing that looks
Injury"
You'll break your neck running"
interrupted his mother. "Iknow how
fierce and courageous my little boy is.
at times; but it seems to me that he is
the most inclined to recklessness after
the danger is over, or before it comes.
But never mind, Bruce, an ounce of
discretion is worth a ton OF foolhardi-
ness, any day, and am really glad
that you have too much sense to rush
needlessly into danger
That's SO, Molly" remarked Mr..
Webster. Bruce has got lots of good
sense and judgment for boy of his
age, and he is no coward either. Why.
/ would bet on that boy capturing that
fellow. if he found him. as quick as 1
would. and not run half the risks of
getting killed. But, pshaw! there's
not one chance in ten thousand of
'Caddo Bill passing through this sec
ton. for all the soldiers from Griffin
are after him, and half the county be.
sides"
We'll. at all events, will bring in
Tom all right, if Caddo Bill hasn't
eaten him." asserted Bruce. as he left
the room. "Have my dinner ready at
twelve sharp. rother; you know that
hunting always gives me an appetite
like wolf"
It is q rare thing for Texas boys to
attempt much Of a pedestrian trip, for
from early childhood much of their
time is spent on horseback. and they
grow, in time, to consider q mustang
an indispensable companion. Bruce
Webster. however, was an Illinois lad,
who, ever since his sixth year, had
been accustomed to daily walk of .
couple of miles to the neighboring
school-house. and although he was
fast becoming q proficient in the Wild
and reckless horsenanship Of the