Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-04-17

spent on ranch in Texas, and he was
| familiar with the duties of cowboy.
Being an expert and daring horseman,
he possessed admirable qualifications
| for 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 q strong and pleasing
| face, but he was not handsome. Quite
noticeable was his careless western
gait which showed that he was unfa-
miliar with the 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 intelligence
in high living had given her puffy
appearance and rendered her unwield-
ly, often ordered the carriage in the
afternoon and took a drive up and
down tho avenues, and occasionally in
Central, Park. Buckskin was thus af-
forded good opportunities for seeing
the beautiful and fashionable young
ladies of the city; but mono 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 it was 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 TO his immense surprise and morti-
tlcation, she departed from h er rule to
utter commands alone, and abruptly
said:
Mr. Buckskiu, why do you not
overcome your horrid Western gait.
and walk like city people9 The coach
man of family like ours should have
q cultivated walk"
IL beg pardon, Miss Valoppel, B."
poor Buckskin stammered; 'Tll try to
improve; indeed / will"
Buckskin sought out 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 tho 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 a desire to ride on horseback.
and having learned that Buckskin had
been 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 we'll acquainted The
manliness, the good sense and the
physical power and dexterity evinced
by Buckslsin favorably impressed Miss
Valoppel, who admired heroes and
despised dudes. She also discovered
that he was singularly we'll informed
for a man in his station, and that con-
versation 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 a
respect which, in view of their previ-
Gus relations, seemed incredible
But there came a disagreeable
change. Count Poccopucci of Italy
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. He had an evil 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 Poccopueci, in
stead of the coachman. accompanied
Miss Valoppel when she rode on horse
back in Central park. Buckslin,
however, saw her nearly every day,
and he 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
60 him for some time.
Finally, blushing deeply, she said
with timidity:
'Mr. Buckskin. believe you are
true friend of NINE and l wish to con-
salt you with regard 10 an important
matter"
Miss Valoppel, i am at your ser
vice. Ny life is at your service, If
necessary" was the reply, in tones
of deep earnestness.
She blushed again and gave him