The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-11-19

! loved the schOolma'am since he first
set eyes on her, but his rough, un-
polished ways would not let MIN show
his love except IN the wistfulness Of his
big eyes. He was a hard, uncultured
fellow, used to an ungentle life, but he
was honest as the day was long. Like
all strong, housekeeping men, he ven
Grated woman with an almost childish
| fervor
One evenlng-the summer was al
ready we'll advanced, and the Wretch
and Mamie were in Jimville's eyes as
good as engaged-Lariat Dick clatter-
ed passed the outlying houses of the
village at a pace that betokened some
thing unusual. His pony was cover
ed with sweat, and the man himself
looked dark as q cloud. He rode up
to the generals store, where at that
time nearly all Jimville congregated.
AS he came in the storm-cloud on his
face was not pleasant to look at.
"Read that" he said to old man
Bowman handing him a letter; Tread
it out loud SOS all kin hear it,"
Bowman took it, his hand tremb-
ling little and began to read. 1t was
to the Wretch from girl in the East.
1t was an appeal that he return soon,
that the twain might be married in
July. ... ".
How did you get it?" asked Bow
man as he folded the paper up
again. i,
II was up at Marstown," said
Lariat Dick, "layin' in stores SOS I
could put up my freight for the Jacin-
| to ranch at sun-up. There meets O.
pard, Jack Peters, as has punched
COWS with me some frequently. Mo
| an him goes into the Red Front to
kinder foster old recollections, an
who should I see there but your east
ern tenderfoot, Croswaite. He's kind
er mellow, bein' some drinks ahead.
Jack: an me is a standin' there trad
in lies quite gayly when l hears
Croswaite say: Here's to the best
girl IN the country, as Pm goin' to
marry' Which l drink to likewise,
me thinkin' as he means our
schoolmarm. Yes he goes on; pretty
soon [ makes tracks for home an
gets married. See, she says July
An with that he sights a letter from
me, which OF course he reads, When
| gets the how of it rounded up in my
head | knocks the scoundrel down
without argument. Then | rides for
here. An now, what's this ranch 60
in to do?'
After this flow OF eloquence Dick
waited, lowering and expectant. We
had weighed the matter already while
he was speaking. In the land where
the Wretch came from, we thought, it
might be quite the thing to be engaged
to one girl and make love to another,
but we wouldn't have it so in Jimvifle.
And before the breath exhausted by
the ride and the rapid speech was all
into Dick again. the murmur arose,
swelling like the fury of a cyclone and
growing more distinct, till the final
"Hes got to leave Texas!' came from
the crowd as a lightning-fash shoots
from the cloud-rift.
who'll tell him?" asked somebody.
II will" said Lariat Dick.
Just then there was the sound of
rush OF hoofs outside, of a horse being
thrown back almost onto it's haunch-
es, a muttered oath-and then the
Wretch stepped into the store, his
eyes ablaze. The knock-down blow
had driven the liquor fumes from him.
But it had also Infatuated him almost
out of all reason.
81 want the man" he began; then
he paused, noting that he spoke to
the cleaning barrel OF six-shc otter.
EYES," said Lariat Dick. II reckon
you wants me, an amt stampeding
none. You don't want me worse than
we want you. I've bin cut out of the
herd to sort O. hold an experience
meetin' with you. Now, what 1 asks
OF you, you answers to. Savvy?" f#
The Wretch made quick motion to
his hip. But in a moment a dozen
more pistols were leveled at him.
NO" went on Dick, "you can't
buck none. Now answer! Amt YOU
engaged to be hitched to girl back
81 am," came suddenly from be-
tween the clinched teeth.
"Does our schoolmarm know it?
"No." ..: t.a
"Haven't made love to her?'' IT,:
"Ihat depends what you cattle call
making-'
None o that, now. Quick! Have
your" - -.
There was an ominous click in the
stiffness. -.
"Well-yes:"
"Then, Dicks voice rose to q,
fierceness and thunder that was
awful in that small room-'you leave
Jimville and Texas in twentv-four
hours or we fills you so full OF lead
that you'll weigh heavier than your.
sin. You needn't stop to tell Miss
Alvin. Well do that Now-git."
The Wretch skunk out. In a few
minutes we heard the steady hoof-
beats OF his pony, first strong, then
fainter and fainter. Reginald Cros-
waite had passed out of our lives.
Next day Lariat Dick "pulled his
freight" after an interview with the
schoolma'am that left her all a-tears
and with a set look on his face that
seemed like the look OF a broken man.
He was always q reckless rider. 1t
grew on him after that. They brought
him home one day-on a shutter.
MISS Alvin wept a little, just as any
woman would, but no more. And she
never married.-Frank Leslie's Illus
tratad Naucpor,ar .,sa.. 71-,a