Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-04-17


the greater part OF his life had been
spent on a ranch in Texas, and he was
familiar with the duties of cowboy.
Being an expert and daring horseman.
he possessed admirable qualifications
for a coachman. Rude health had
been acquired during his free, open-air
life, and strength and agility were well
combined in his large and symmetrical
form. He had a strong and pleasing
face, but he was not handsome. Quite
noticeable was his careless western
gait which showed that he was unfa-
miliar with tho pedestrianism OF great
cities.
During the month that Miss Val
opel WAS absent from home, Buckskin
became proficient in his new duties,
and learned much concerning the topo-
graphy of the city. Mrs. Valoppel.
whose life OF Incidence and indulgence
in high living had given her a puffy
appearance and rendered her unwield-
ly, often ordered the carriage in the
afternoon and took drive up and
down the avenues, and occasionally in
Central Park. Buckslzin was thus af-
forded good opportunities for seeing
the beautiful and fashionable young
ladies OF the city; but none OF them
possessed the air of regal superiority
which distinguished Miss Valoppel.
Buckskin eagerly awaited the re-
turn of the daughter OF the household,
and speculated much as to whether she
would ever take any notice OF him.
When she did come back. he was more
than ever impressed by the cold dis
lance OF her manners. She scarcely
ever deigned to look at him. She
spoke to him only when twas necess-
airy, and then uttered courteous de-
mands in firm but mellow tones, that
fingered in his mind long after the
sound had died on his ears. For two
months her manner toward him was
unchanged. At the end OF that time
he noticed that she would occasionally
look at him in n covert way. when she
thought she was unobserved. and that
She appeared to be concealing consider
able curiosity concerning him. Final
ly 10 his immense surprise and morti-
fication, she departed from h er rule 10
utter commands alone. and abruptly
said:
Mr.. BucRskiu, why do you not
overcome your horrid Western gait,
and walk like city people? The coach
man OF family like ours should have
cultivated walk"
IL beg pardon, Miss Valoppel,"
poor Buckskin stammered; IN try TO
improve; indeed will"
Buckskin sought out a fashionable
dancing master, who taught him how
TO walk properly. He bought large
looking-glass. placed it in his room.
and every evening spent an hour in
walking before it until he had com
pletely overcome his defects.
Miss Valoppel noticed the great i'm
provement in the coachman's gait and
relaxed her haughtiness sufficiently to
show him that she was pleased.
When Spring arrived. Miss Valoppel
expressed desire to ride on horseback.
and having learned that Buckskin had
been a cowboy and was fine rider,
she preferred TO take lessons of him
rather than from an instructor OF the
academy at Central Park. Accordingly
they often rode together in the park
and soon became well acquainted. The
manliness. the good sense and the
physical power and dexterity evinced
by Buckskin favorably impressed Miss
Valoppel. who admired heroes and
despised dudes. She also discovered
that he was singularly well informed
for "A man in his station, and that con-
yefsation with him was both instructive
and agreeable. On the other hand.
Buckskin was delighted TO find that
Miss Valoppel had an affectionate
heart and many admirable qualities, in
spite Of her reserve. Now that the ice
had at last been broken, she gave him
her Friendship and treated him with n
respect which, in view OF their previ-
Gus relations, seemed incredible.
But there came disagreeable
change. Count Poccopucci of Italy
arrived in New Yort, and received n
warm welcome from Mr.. Valoppel,
who believed that he could now obtain
the long desired titled son-in-law.
The count was an inferior looking
mortal. Tie had an evll eye and SUI
percilious manners, but he found favor
with Miss Valoppel. Buckskin became
very melancholy. for he was now
deeply in love with the proud beauty.
Meanwhile Count Poccopucci, in
stead of the .coachman. accompanied
Miss Naloppel when she rode on horse
back in Central park. Buckskin.
however. saw her nearly every day,
and be noticed after awhile that she
seemed very sad and that the rich
bloom was fading from her cheeks.
One morning she asked him to
ride with her in the park. Her mood
was melancholy and she did not speak
TO him for some time.
Finally, blushing deeply, she said
with timidity:
"Mr. Buckskin. believe you are n
true friend of mine. and / wish TO con-
suit you with regard to IN important
matter"
Miss Naloppel. I am at your ser