The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-12-24

l. IL y hSDA i CLNL VI
JACK IsLEY COVERED BUFFLEs WITH 4
LARGE REVOLVER.
As Duke hurried off to obey 1.-The par
sons orders" Isley again gave his atten-
ton to the moroee storekeeper.
Eyer never was knowed ter mako ef
Christmas present in all yer skinflint
life. III give yer jest Eve minutes ter
present Snowdrop hyer with tibet note
yer hold agin her dad, who's dead. Be
spry erbout it too. / don't want any
Waterbury movement erbout this thingi
You time him, Spiker."
Ben drew out an old silver watch at
tached to leather string, while Jack
Isley covered Buffles with large ne
volver.
He dared not refuse to comply, and
marching in logged manner back O:
an old safe he drew out piece of paper
which he handed Isley, who examined it
carefully.
Its the genuine dockyment," ap-
proved ''the parson." Nov give it to
this leetle gal an make a presentation
speech. Hurry up! This is one O them
new kind O uncomfortable shootin irons,
an KANT hold it,
Thus Iorcibly persuaded, Buffles took
the note, and giving stubborn jerk to
each word said:
"ThH, sissy, is a Christmas present
fur yer"
"What is it?' asked the little girl as
Buff1es thrust the paper into her hand.
Take keer O tibet, Snowdrop," said
Isley; with tibet ter show, old skinner
hyer KANT ever KEN onter yer for tibet
debt
<'Hyer's yer critter at ther door, Snow
drop" announced Spiker.
Ivy waited to hear no more, and con-
cealing the note in her dress she ran out
to claim Bonny, her heart too full for
uttefance or thanks.
Presently Spiker followed her, his arms
full Of various packages.
Wots themY asked the cowboy who
had brought Bonny back. 80,
+ .tChristmas dxins fur SnoMdiOp n
her brother. Inn ordered ter scort her
safe ter Their cabin. The paSson' says
we're all ter celebrate Christmas eve up
ter Rocky Ridge and help cheers up them
lone children std o. cavortin round down
hyer at Finders"
Ben assisted Ivy to mount Bonny, and
then they rode away together.
Meantime Jack Isley prepared to close
"the meetin held fur ole Josh Buf1es'
benefit"
''See hyer," he said, approaching the
discounted storekeeper who was lean
| ing against the counter, his countenance
lowering and detected; ''don't go to
| sulkin cause yer done one good deed in
| yer life. How much was Fishers debt?''
Thirty dollars" was the crusty an
gNer.
Jack tossed crisp fifty dollar bill to
MIN, saying, ''Thar's ter pay yer fur
Fishers note an ther notions Ben made
yer wrap up. Take it, an let's see a
Christmas smile on yer counteaance
bout Their size of er broncho's kick
Buffles took the bill, mumbling some
thing about change.
"Nuver miAd erbout change Jack
replied. "Thet's nothin ter reward sech
man as yer, Mr.. Bufles. Vartue orte
be recognized. Now this meetin's done
with yer fur the present, but as er sort
O. doxology to wot's gone before, l want
ter warn yer ter be lookin out. Thel
big Spreme Court that sets across the1
Divide won't treat yer case so all free
leniently Christmas is Il mighty goOC
time ter practice charity an git sortel
limbered up fur Their great roundup OF
the other shore. Yer hear me? The1
heed. Now wrap Us up some o. yer bes
oysters, crackers, white sugar, lemons
raisins and canned goods. Webe aimiI
ter 20 up ter Rocky Ridge and have ,
Christmas. with them Fisher children
an orter' act like white folks with souls.
As "the parson" started away will
his men, carrying their various stores
they encountered man riding a jadet
mule. He was headed toward Buff1es
store.
"Hello, stranger!' greeted Isley
"Whar yer be amin fur?''
''Bein as yer so civil, I've good no
ton ter tell yer" returned the man, halt
ing and pushing his hat back.
4 'sWhy! Hang my. hide, eff it hahn
ole Jim Fisher!' cried Isley, riding for
ward and taking possession of his hand
which he shook heartily. "When di,
yer land?'
"Jest now. Jest heered o. Milt'
death few days ago, and racked RICH
out. was trappin up in Wyoming, go
nearly froze to death last winter, an wa
mighty puny long spell, an bein goo'
hundred an four mile from the post
Office I was nearly six months gettin tn
word. I sold out my furs, an lit RICH
out for Rocky Ridge, cause know then
kids is needin me-"
Eyes, they're needin yer powerful bad
Jim. We've jest started up ter thei
cabin ter hev sort of Christmas jubile
ter cheer 'em up
Good for yer, Jack Isley! Jest wal
till ride over ter ole Buff1es' an fix mp
debt promised ter pay him the minute
landed, an I'll jine yer"
Hold on, Jim! Thet debts lique1
dated, and ole Buff has a Christina
grin mile long on his purity features. "
1t was indeed happy Christmas re
union that took place between Jim Fish
er and his brothers children. Rock
Ridge resounded with robust, kindl
cheer, and the cowboys felt that the
had missed nothing by foregoing thei
purposed celebration at Finders saloo
> to give pleasure to little girl and he
sick brother.
Kind hearts are more than coronets,
| And simple faith than Norman blood.
Glad angels must have smiled owe
Rocky Ridge that Christmas, Will
down in the valley Josh Buffles caught
view of his own soul. dwarfed and GRASP
ing and shuddered at the revelation.
!, Milton Fishers faith in the valuable
! ness Of his claim had not been misplaced
, Jim devoted himself earnestly to til
: interests of his young charges. Col
, was discovered in the canyon, and be