Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-17
Winning a Bride.

ne paced DICK ana iOrLn upon the V6rAn-
da on this eventful morning, even the
most Indifferent observer could plainly
see that he was ii a foaming passion,
and possibly such a Que would stop to
wonder what he could have to fret him.
Everything that money could buy was at
his command; then wherefore this exhi
bition of temper that would be dis
grace to any common manf will tell
you.
Among the herds of wild horses that
roamed the prairie was a magnifi sent
creature, white as the driven snow, whose
glossy coat was unmarked by any brand,
thus he was the property of any one who
could catch him. Oa this equine beauty
john Bradscombe had spent money
enough to buy twenty ordinary horses,
had hired the most skillful riders TO run
him down, but in vain.
The wary animal out-witted them all,
and gallOped proudly away from their
feetest horses.
Was that allp No, that was the least of
his troubles. Like many other men, j ohm
Bradscombe was the dOting father of a
pretty, wilful daughter. Like many other
fathers he saw with dismay that other
eyes than his found her fair TO look upon.
He did not expect To keep her in the
home nest always, oh no, but it was d
disqgreeable surprise to him when his
overseer, Charles Vance, asked him for
Miss Bessie's hand, assuring him that he
had won her heart. Il was such 8 little
while ago that she was child in pima
fores; now she was g maiden TO be
wooed and won. And he had looked
higher for her than that-to be the wife
OF the oyerseer of his cowboys. So ne
told Mr.. Vance very plainly, rather inso =
lently, In fact, and dismissed him from
his august presence in great anger.
Now what so greatly perplexed him was
the fact that he could not well dispense
with Vance's services until the market
able cattle were sold, and there seemed
to be no way TO prevent the young people
from meeting daily until that was ac-
complished.
"Ill send her TO Maine, that's what I'll
dol" he said aioud, as he stamped up and
down the veraDda. she has been in this
forsaken part of the universe long
enough. I'll send her to school; land
knows she needs it bad enough. She can
ride a wild horse, but bless me, if / be :
lleve she can tell the capital of her own
state. And she's old enough to fall in
love! Well, well, how she has grown up,
to De sare. Yes, I'll send her away to
school. BY the time she graduates I'll
sell out and move north myself, that's
what I'll do"
ooh, / wouldn't papa, said sauey,
laughing voice; and he turned in comical
dismay to see Miss Elizabeth herself
standing in the doorway.
"Hum! talking aloud, was |! Wsl you
may as well know the plan first as last.
Next Monday you are going to start for
Maine," began John Bradsoombe with
great severity. Then he parsed and
looked sideways at mis- daughter to see
how she would take the welcome news.
To his amazement, she cOOly seated her
self in the shadiess corner of the yerandR,
and taking book from her pocket, be,
gan reading, as though the subject in
question had no possible interest for her.
"D'ye hear Bess? You are going to
Maine, to your Aunt Elizabeth's, You're
going to school, girl; dye heart" he cried,
impatiently,
81 heard you say SO, papa," she replied.
"You are going, too. You're going to
start next Monday morning, and-you're
going 10 stay fonr years." John Brads-
combe paused for want of breath, and
then continued in q tender voice, as he
stopped beside her:
81 want TO make a lady of you, Bess, I
never thought you'd grown SO tilI-t,ll
this morning. You're nearly seventeen,
amt You, Bes,?"
Nearly eighteen, papa" she answer
ed.
"Old enough to know more than you do,
WANT you to be lady Bess. When the
mother aud l are gone, you'll be rich
richer than you have any idea of, girl
he said sharply.
81 don't think care to be so very rich
papP," said Bessie wistfully.
you care more for Vance, I suppose,
Is that it. Speak out, child. Which
would you rather do? Go to school and
be g fne lady, or marry that cowboy ?"
said Bradscombe, wrathfuliy.
81 think l would rather-rather have
Charlie, if you please. papa, answered the
girl demureiy.
"Hum s'pose so! 1 never saw girl of
seventeen that wosn't fool!n cried
John Bradscombe.
"Thank you, papa" interrupted Bessie:
and dropping him mocking courtesy,
she went within doors, leaving him more
puzzled than ever, as he paced back and
fourth more rapidly than before. His
me6jtations were soon inturru pied by
several of the herderds, who come rapidly
up the walk.
Il tole We, Mr.. Bra5scombe, that the
Emperor would visit this rancho yet. sn
thar he Is, said one of them pointing to .
rise of land, some quarter OF mile dis
tant. "The Emperor" was the name given
to the beautiful wild horse, and as john
looked hastily In the direction indicated
there he stood upon the little rise, his
proud head held defantly erect, as he
audaciously surveyed his would be
captors.
THE Emperor here, end aIonem ex-
claimed the excited cattle owner. Quick
Bess, my glass!' With hands that trem-
bled with eagerness until he could hard
Iy sight with the glass, he slowly raised
il TO his eye, and at asst had g good view
of the equine beauty, which he felt al
that moment he would forfeit half hi:
fortune to capture.
"Some one will ketch him yit," sails
Sam Sharpe. Hes gettin' most toe
bold for his own good"
"Nobuddy will ketch that auimi' | unit
the rig h. time come" said Bill Graves
with positive shake of his gray head
THE right man ter DO il beant cum ylt
When he does he'll do it easy enough"
Il wish l wac the right one" salo
Vance.
Likes any way ye be-" answered Bill
with a significant look.
81 believe l could do it toe" added
Vance, after a NONE nt's study.
you believe If, do you sir 7" asked j OH
Bradscombe, suddenly turning towards
him. "Well, I'll tell yoa what I'll 90