, 1889-01-16

the Soap River rangc"-
And Hank Bitters luridly pictured
the depravity of the cowboys of the
Soap river region.
But surely they would not harm
me, quavered the passenger, ''if they
were apprised of my IDENTIFY"
"Which1"
'If they knew who I was"
"Mebby they'll let you off easy, con
And when we do como in contact
with them, You will do your best to
soothe them
I'm do what | kin, " returned Hank.
But it's mighty finnicky business"
And soho worked upon the fears of
his passenger till the old gentleman
gazcd uFprchcusiveIy about, as if he
expected 10 see IL dozen force cowboys
leap from behind cvery bush, to make
Of his person an ]impr0mptu revolver
target lIC was nearly ready 10 cry
out with alarm when, as they emerged
from the timber, he behold Santa Fe
and his comrades carccring towards
them. Tho yclls Of recognition with
which they greeted Hank, while still
rods away, sent n great thrill of terror
through the old gentleman.
Tell them who Iaml' he whispered,
hoarsely. Tell them | am n man of
peace bound on an crrand of mercyl"
III do the best | kin" returned
Hank, with an inward convulsion.
But it's mighty risky b~usinessl
They're pizon, plumb pizonl"
As the cowboys circled about the
blackboard the passenger almost gave
up all hope.
Tell them" he whispered to Hank.
That worthy, with a tremendous
wink Mt Santa Fc, called out:
Don't be brash, boysl This yere
gents on his way to visit a ole time
friend down on the Cimarron, what's
got a crippled boy. AS a favor to me,
don't hurt him. Names Doc Bristow,
NJ. D., wv
WHAT" cried Posy. "a doctorq
Got yer tools an medicine along,
doc2"
Yes, sir" quavered The physician.
Got them alongI' cried Posy.
Then yer jest
Hold onl" broke in Santa Fe,
no botch doctor. Doc, air you up to
yer gamer"
Il hardly
81 mean, dc you know yer biz Do
you size up with the balance NV the
doctorsY'
DIR. Bristow's professional pride, up
in arms in an instant, ovcrcame his
fears.
Know my business, siri Up with
other physicians, sir2 Why, sir, | can
say, without IA particle OF Boosting,
that l stand head and shoulders above
my professional rivnls-hoad and
shoulders, sirl | am the author
or
He named a work with n sonorous
and complicated medical title, that
conveyed little or no meaning to his
hearers.
81 performed, sir, one of the most
remarkable cures of the present cent
ury by restoring Senator Haywood to
vigorous hcnlth."
"B'licvo l ycarcd about that" said
Santa Fo. Lowed he'd die, didn't
thcyi"
"Certainlyl Nincty-nino cases out
of every hundred thus attacked sue
cumb. Therefore | am Justly accorded
great credit for my almost miraculous
Boys" said Posy, Eve want himr
That's what We do, " agreed Reddy
Rose.
As the cowboys reached this decision
the party was within a hundred yards
of Ashburn's %postofIicc.
Doc" said Posy, you'll have to
stop yere a while"
The physicians air Of gratihed pro
fessional pride was instantly super
seeded by fear.
oh, gentlemen, spare mel" he
q%uavered. Il will not wear it again
If you object TO its a~ppcarancel'
Pearance NV what2" asked Santa
Fc.
MY hat-plug, Think you callitr"
Hank Bitters threatened to explode
with delight, but the cowboys never
Tho physician was so loath to leave
the vehicle that he had to be dragged
GU by force.
Take it easy, doc" soothed Posy.
We don't mean no harmp'
DR.. Bristow, little treasured, men
tally mathematical the day he left his
city home 10 throw himself into the
clutches of these white savages
Doc" began Posy, kin you curea
girl what's mighty nigh dead frum
bonn throwcd iTum n Cayusc3"
DIR. Bristow's professional instinct
/ got tho better of Il portion OF his fears.
Il think l can safely say can, sir,
if n euro is possible, - he said.
Posy led the way to Chips bedside.
Chip, this ycrc is Doc Bristow.
Doc, this ycro is Olo Man Ashburn,
Chips dad. Come, ole manr
Ashburn followed him out of doors,
and DIR. Bristow was alone with his
patient.
The cowboys were very grave when
the physician reappearcd.
"Gentlemen'- he began.
Means you an SAINT l reckon,
Posy," said Reddy Rose.
'Whatn it be with little Chip, doc2'
asked Posy.
Although her case is extremely
precarious, replied the physician, de.
hbcratcly, with proper nursing and
the care of n skilled physician, she
can be restored to health. A delicate
and dangerous operation is necessary,
II she survives that and is attended
by
She will bel The big doctorn bc
thar said Posy.
|Who might ho be, if l may askr