Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-01-31

entitled to little but indIgnlties at the
hands of the cowboys and ''cattle-
kings" Though, legally, grangers. as
the cattle men scorniully denominsted
the squatters and homesteaders, have a
right ON the range, they are regarded as
interlopers, and the little patches OF
prairie that they are bravely and toll
somely trying to convert into fertile
farms are regarded as SO much stolen
from the rightful feeding-grounds of the
cattle.
HE kin cut all he wants to-" said old
Slade. "We're able fer him."
Which statement was substantiated
by the huge revolver holstered at the
hip of each one of the riders.
Although the consultation at the juno
ton was not an extended one, by the
time the cowboys were galloping down
the by-roads towards the shack OF the
hated granger the last of the circus
wagons was disappearing where the sec
tion-road wound into the strip OF distant
timber that fringed Buzzard Creek, and
the yellow in the east that had suppressed
ed the earlier gray was fast changing to
orange.
Neither the sleeping childnor the sick
man detected the approach OF the horse
men. The soft prairie grass muffied the
sounds of the hoof- beats OF the cayuses.
The turtle-doy few from the piece
OF fence as the squad came close, but
the housekeeping, half delirious child did
not notice the cessation of her soothing,
mournful COO. The orange in the east
ern sky was climbing higher, and the
myriad forms of prairie-life were waken-
ing all about to greet the day.
Impatient at any delay, Scotty sug-
gested very simple and effective mode
OF action, but this was rejected by old
Slade.
"Yes, sn' run yer head into some trapl"
the latter said, scornfully. "Kain't tell
what these grangersll do. Some uvem
air pizen r.
Then old Slade crept forward to re-
connoitre. The cayuses were withdrawn
to one side, almost ont OF range of the
little window OF the shack where the
night-wind had drifted in, tanning the
sick child's feverish face. Soon shag-
gy head was lifted cautiously above the
window-sill, but when the sick child's
eyes opened they rested on the bill that
iiuttered gently upon the wall. Then.
as the candle-hame, as if wearied with
its spluttering struggle, expired, the
child tossed uneasily. painting in feeble
gasps, and the man in the splint- bottom
ed chair awoke with an anxious start.
He did not see the old cowboys shaggy
pate, for it had been quickly ierked be-
low the sill.
"The ole elephant likes little boys,
don't he, pappyi" the child's voice
piped.
To the anxious father the weak voice
seemed weaker still. and it was with a
face gravely apprehensive, and tones I
a-tremble, that he told of the old ele-
plant, in obedience to the piping.
"Tell me more bout the ole elephant,
Presently the sound Of the grnnger's
voice had ceased, and after several mo-
ments of silence old Slade cautiously
raised his head.
Upon the opposite side of the poor
bed the granger was kneeling, with his
bearded face buried in the quilt beside
the sick child, and his frame shaking
with soundless sobs, almost in unison
with the child's gasping.
Anoug iupdtACn0 anu NJ Oid
Slade's delay, the rest OF the cowboys,
with the exception OF one who held the
,ayusos, hurried, and then crept for
ward till they were all squatted beneath
he window. At first their hands were
IN the butts of their huge revolyers, but
rs the granger spoke in trembling tones
every hand was withdrawn from its
Weapon. Then, one by one, they peered
cautiously in.
"Prayin' !" Scotty whispered softly to
lis neighbor.
Then the child's feeble voice inter
upted the prayer.
"Pappy," it moaned, half reproach-
ullv, ~ never saw q ole elephantp'
"I'm afeared he never will, old Slade
softly.
The prayer grew more supplicating as
he granger's trembling tones pleaded
or his child's life.
Perhaps none of the cowboys squat
ing beneath the window were marvels
# acumen, but as the prayer-yehement,