The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-02-12
AN 0BDURATE PARENT.


not have been an ideal hero, but he
was game. 1t is said that he once
slapped Ben Tompson's Jaws while
that great hero of the shooters was
trying to break up show in Texas,
and a man in whose word l have alb
solute faith told me that the colonel
once pulled q Bowie's ears. Yet the
old fellow was fat, and still worse was
so short that he waddled along like
duck. He had but one pride,
lovely daughter. He looked
upon her with the deep love OF
q devoted father and with the admir-
ing eye of an artist. Indeed, he was
something of an artist, having once
painted picture of a Tennessee river
sunset, but, unfortunately, had to
shoot man who innocently asked if
it did not represent a brush pile on
| fire.
Whenever Lucie Rithers went into
society the old man went with her.
lie had compelled her to promise that
she would never be married, and he
had faith in her avowal; still he did
not like to see her thrown in the way
OF temptation. Once handsome
commercial traveller took brazen oc-
casion to smile at her, but he left the
community them day, carrying with
him note which read something like
this 81 should like to meet you early
tomorrow morning, with q view to
shooting an ordinary size hole
through your head. l should have
obliged myself by doing so to-day, but
this being Sunday, and our law impos-
ing o fine for firing gun on the Sab
bath, / refrained. Do not let any
business engagement prevent our meet
ing, for l assure you that l will detain
you but few moments"
One bright morning while q chip
munk was sitting on stump rhythmic
ally nodding his head to the song of
a cat bird, the colonel stood under a
tree, communing with nature, and
wondering how he was going to get
the steers out of the corn field. He
had Just decided to waddle into the
field and curse them out, when q
young man rode up to the fence, dis
|
els this Col Rithers?" the young
man asked.
eyes, sab. What canI do foryou?"
The young fellow, without replying,
took out two pistols, and he politely
extended their handles toward the
colonel, said
"Take your choice"
"What for?" the colonel asked.
l.
ton to explain. Take one and step
off about 30 steps "
"Young man." said the colonel, 81
am not acquainted with you, but
must say that L like your methods
and, therefore am compelled to accom-
modate you"
The colonel measured off 80 steps
and at a signal mutually agreed upon
both men fired. The colonel caught 6
projectile in the fleshy part ofhis right
shoulder.
"Good morning." said the younl
man.
"Good morning, sah," reioined thu
colonel, as he leaned against q tree
The young man gracefully mounted
his horse and rode away, and the col
onel went home and lay down.
Several months passed. The ca
bird was gone and the chipmunk wa
hidden away under the snow. TIL
colonel stood in the country road
watching the wild geese fly over.
young man came riding along at al
easy canter, and, seeing the colonel
dismounted, tied his horse and ap
preached.
Good morning." said the youn,
man.
GLOW are you, sah," the colonel re
sponded.
"Rather bright but chilly day."
eyes but l don't think this snow
will last long"
''No think not. The wind is shift
ing round to the south. By the way
colonel are you busy this morning.
"No, not particularly. L haven
fed the pigs yet, but l can let them g
for while. Is there anything that
can do for you?
eyes, 1 think So" the young mai
answered, drawing two pistols and tell
ing the colonel to take his choice.
"Look here, young fellow, as / toll
you some time ago, l do not know
you. OF course | am thankful for tn
attentions which you are showing me
but it has generally been my rule no
to accept courtesies from a stranger.
"That's all right; step off 80 yards.
"I'll have to go you, although
haven't fed the pigs yet"
The distance was measured an
again they fired at each other. Thi
time the colonel was slightly wounde
in the leg. The young man babe hiI
a polite good morning and rode away
When the colonel went to the hous,
his daughter seeing that somethin
was the matter with him, said. "PaI
/ do wish you would take better car
of yourself. 1t scenes to me the olde
YOU grow the more careless you b,
come. What has hurt you thi
timer"
"Oh, nothing only that inferno
spotted SOW snapped me when
climbed over into the pen"
"Well, but you shonld not expos
yourself so. If you should die wha
would become of me?''
"Oh, you'd marry suppose"
"But you have told me that sha
never marry"
"You shan't so long as live"
Months passed. The pillow hanC
were in the field and the scent of bur-
ing grass pervaded the murky atmo
phere. The cat bird had come baC
, to look for her song, the chipmur
= timidly peeped from his hole. III
If colonel stood under budding aid
: L,sb. q x-o,1n0 man climbed over I'll