The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1891-01-21
RANCH LIFE.
INSOUrHWEST TEXAS, AND RANCH
DEATH AS WELL.
A Story Of Persecution and Murder
The Story of Handsome and I'm
fortunate Boy,

AVi tuhuJe DOys
BUENA VENTURA RANCH, Crocke
County, Texas, December 26.-I wa
spending Christmas at Dos Il ermano
sheep ranch in Southern Texas.
1t was a big and beautiful rancI
in a beautiful country. Fine "per
valleys and draws, and cosey shelter
ed hollows, clothed with rich MESQUITE
grass and the various little weeds tina
the dainty and tastidious sheep owes
were fianked and buttressed by low
donical, or humpy, Aat-top, Egyptian
looking hills. The plains, too, wer,
only a couple of miles to the north
ward, and looking from them TOWARD
these pyrmidal hills, with the ever
lasting silence about, and the sun
light lying softly over all the land
scape's face, with its brooding lowell,
ness, its majestic serenity aud repost
seemed to wear significance, smile
OF inscrutable meaning, like that Of
Egypt, but liking the awe, the dread
that Egypt inspires,
The house large and comtorta-
BILE one tor this almost semi~tropical
region of tents and two or three>
roomed ox-houses-was full and
running over, and halt duzen young
fellows were camped 10 little hollow
close by; the weather was delightful,
fairly meriting the adjective superb:
one day followed another, warm, soft
brilliant, the air dry, crisp and brace
ing, like the brightest uad best of Oc-
tober weather i'll the middle states.
The boys had worked hard all day
long on the 23d, when We arrived:
rigging rings, making lances and ar
ranging seats Tor grand tournament
on Christmas eve, aud by mutual con.
sent We went to bed early to be ready
for the next days festivities.
When the Contestants all rode up
and salntsd, my eye was at once
caught by two figures that came from
tent little apart fiom the general
camp in the draw.
One was a big Saxon blonde, six
feet two or three inches in height,
with his fair skin burned to a uniform
dark red, from which a pair of fine.
honest eyes l9oksd on
bt.. --ss. IrSs features were 81 slns
gularly large and regular mould,
with throat and chin so beautiful,
a mouth so heavy yet correct, and a
nose so high between the eyes that it
gave him a Sill htly bucolic look, like
ancient Apollos. His proportions
were more fine and just than you
would often see in SO big man; he
carried his head and shoulders mag,
nifcently, and his bearing in the sad
die was past criticism.
Beside him rode boy of about
twenty. He was OF ordinary size,
slightly but strongly built. had pale
olive face, great black eyes and clus-
tering dark hair. 1t wac face that
somehow appealed to you. Although
so full now OF lite and spirit, it had a
suggestion of keen sensitiveness, OF
hidden capacity for suffering. He
was On an uneommonly tine and
spirited black pony, his saddle was OF
superb and Ornamented Mexican
workmanship, and big white SOM
brero. glittering with silver, shaded the
splendid eyes. Whine they passed in
front of US ! saw him look among the
spectators as though seeking some one,
then an electric smile passed over his
face, he raised the big hat and touch.
cd knot Of req ribbon on the side OF
it. J looked up aud saw Louie, the
pretty seventeen-year old daughter OF
the bonse, blushigg ana bowling, and
Ismiled to myself.
"Who are they?" ] asked Mrs. Flint,
and she replied vuite as If | had in,
dictated them. 30, David and -"
"Goliah,' | interrupted.
"No, indeed, David and Jonathan,
The tall one is Paul Melton, a young
sheep man over on Live Oak, aud the
boy is his inseparabb, u sort Of
protege and partener, | believe, in &
small way"
MARK used to drink and gamble,
think, and young Melton got hold Of
him, Strengthened him up, and ha.
held on to him ever since. They are
always together, you never see one
without the other.
Mark Il don't think / ever knew
his other name carried of the most
rings and rode up ylo sing with vic
tory, to crown Louie queen OF low,
and beauty.
AS looked away from the pretty
picture, saw the blonde giant stand
ing near in studiouslY unconcerne,
attitude, but with an expression o
afectionate pride on his great, tranl
face. After this we had a general
display OF horaemanship and grea
deal OF skylarklns.