The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-09-11

abrupt with his social interiors. And
with the millionaire such was Dick
Prater, his head clerk, despite the
latters business accomplishments, good
birth and two-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 to that of his employer,
had acknowledged to a mutual attach
ment 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. And 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.
Not, though, in the way it would had it
been given by Doris herself. Dick
threw up his clerkship, drew his saw
iugs (no inconsiderable sum) from the
bank, and quietly babe 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 to the region presumably given
over to cattle, cowboys, and wandering
bands of playful Indians varying the
monotony of reservation life by shoot
ing and scalring the white settlers.
Turned cowboy, and all on account
OF q woman" sneered some of his
friends when they heard of it.
'Lovesick young fool" growled
Millionaire Manning, who missed the
services OF his right-hand man more
than he was willing to own.
For harsh judgment is as easy whel
the hidden springs of action are not
open to public view. The presump-
ton was that father and daughter had
alike negatived Dicks suit. And that,
rendered reckless after the manner of
ordinary young men Of to-day, Dick
had thrown himself away-so to
speak.
Yet, even had this presumption been
true, they forgot that Dick Prater was
no ordinary young man, but rather of
the extraordinary pattern.
"a tenderfoot from wayback," was
the first verdict when Dick, with his
pale, refined face, quiet, unassuming
manner and disinclination for fiery
fluids, first joined himself to Myers
gang on the Lone Star rancho.
You lay low with your chin
music awhile" remarked Ben Drake,
who had been quietly sizing up" the
newcomer-"first impressions amt
correc'. To my way of thinkin'," con-
tinued the oracle, amid respectful ST.
lence, 1.-The young teller is white and
solid meat clean through. with his
backbone packed in sand-jest wait. :"
The vigorously picturesque verbiage
OF the West had its-wait Six
months later it was unanimously
agreed that Ben was prophet of the
first water. True, Dick was not yet
able to conquer a bucking broncho--
his aim with Winchester or revolver
was trife uncertain under hundred
yard range. and he objected to drink
ing whisky of such potency that one
smile thereof had been known to dis
able tenderfoot for life.
Chicago didn't grow up on ter
pe'rarie in a day-he'll catch on to all
them things in time" said Drake
again, oracularly. And ash most other
respects, Dicks companionship and
services were perfectly satisfactory,
he was favored with the general re-
gard of his rougher companions.
Meanwhile he was becoming a judge
OF cattle, an expert as to the quality
of grass on grazing lands, keen at a
bargain, aud thorough ly posted on the
resources Of the Western country.
bus II came about that another