The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-07-24

Texan paid $40 o bottle. When the
wine was consumed the ranchman said;
.sThe sunll be getting low, young
man. before you git them cattle home.
You'd better start. Whar's your money!
lin bank I think you said.p
Horace nodded.
500 and get it," the Texan continued:
sand when you've passed it over you
can take the cattle. One hundred and
fifty times thirty is forty-fve hundred;
that's what you want, and a trifle topay
some boys to help you drive the cattle
home"
Horace went to the bank Che had de-
posted his money here when last in
Austin, there being no such institution
as a bank in Helena), drew out the
necessary amount, and returning to the
hotel paid the purchase money and took
q receipt.
Then the Texan told him to go and
hire two cowboys to help him TO drive
the cattle home and to bring them out
to the ranch, to which he himself would
at once ride on and order his lads to get
the animals together, S that no time
need be wasted.
Horace had no difficulty in finding
two mounted men willing to help him
drive his purchase to his ranch, and at
tended by them he trotted off in hopes
of overtaking his new friend. But he
arrived at the field where the cattle
were grazing without doing so, and fur
thermore on his arrival could perceive
no sign of the Texan. He waited a few
minutes, then said to one of the cow
boys: s'It's odd that Mr.. Philpott isn't
here. How can we get them out?:'
Cant do it," was the ~laconic reply.
"Rops's too plentiful hereabouts to be
driving away cattle without the owners
consent. know old Philpott; he amt
to be trifled with. Wnat you got to
show you bought 'em?'
Horace held out his receipt and each
of the cowboys looked at it.
THAT'S right enough" said one Of
them, he'll be here soon, I guess"
But they waited half ali hour and he
did not come, SO Horace, thoroughly
angry and impatient, smashed the lock
on the gate and rode into the Enclosure,
followed by his two attendants. He
had, he said, paid for the stock, and he
was going to take them.
Then the three cantered off in differ.
emit directions to bring the animals to-
gether. But while they were so en-
Elayed the report of a rife caused them
to sci.n the country, and they perceived
three men galloping toward them.
"Them's Philpott's boys" said one Of
Horace's new employees; "we'l wait
for 'em."
And they sat still upon their horses
until the three men, each holding a re-
volver in his right hand, rode up and
asked in no very polite language what
they were doing with the cattle.
'I'm going to take them to my ranch"
said Greenfield. 1--WE bought and paid
for them"
Guess you amt bought these ami
mails, stranger" was the reply. .sThey
belong to our old man, and when he
hears you've bin. tryin' to drive 'em off
he'll be in favor of showing you how we
treat cattle thieves out here. But you
don't look like a thief, nohow"
"He amt nc thief" said another; ''he's
a green furrier."
''Did these cattle belong to Ezekiel
Philpott?" asked Horace.
''They did and they do" was the re-
ply.
81 have his receipt for the purchase
money" continued Greenfield, offering
them the paper.
The three cowboys read it. Then the
one who appeared to be the leader said,
Stranger, you'll have to come and see
the old man. His names Ezekiel Phil
pott, but he eve signed that receipt,
for a bullet happened into his elbow two
weeks ago, and he's bin in bed ever
since. He couldn't hold a pen to save
his life"
With vague feelings of u-neasiness, the
Hon. Horace allowed himself to be con-
Quoted to the residence of Ezekiel Phil
pott, which was about three miles away.
Arrived here he was left in charge of
the others while the leader went and ex-
planned the situation to his master. In
a few minutes the young Englishman
was summoned to the presence Of Mr..
Philpott, whom he found lying in bed.
After saluting Horace with a savage
glare, he said:
Perhaps, young man, you can explain
why you tried to drive off my cattle?
Sam says you bought EN- from some
one."
"And SO I did" Horace replied, and at
once gave d full account of the transac-
ton.
'Waal, stranger" said the wounded
ranchman. "that beats anything I ever
heerdl That man as you paid that
money to amt got no more to do with
them cattle than the emperor of China
has. Now, look here, my lad. I'm nigh
on to go years old, and I've been out here
thirty, and what I don't know about
these parts amt worth knowing. Take
my advice. Go home and stay thar.
This amt no country for you, and eff you
stay you'll only come to grief. A man
as will give $1,000 to a stranger for a
scrap Of paper amt going to get on here
abouts. You shall sleep here tonight,
stranger, and I'll treat you hospitable;
but, take my advice, set out for home
tomorrow"
And when that night Horace lay on
the hard bed in the old Texans house,
the rectory on his fathers estate appeared