St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-11

Their warm personal friendship re
called the .sterWof sDamen and Pythlas
No two cowboys on the Rio Hondo were
better known than were Tony Gardner
and Mat Roberts, who rode together OF
the L Y ranch. They had first met fiy'
years previous, on the old Chisholm
trail, coming up from Texas in searcl
of employment; had secured the ranges
of New Mexico together. and final.
drifted over onto the Rio Hondo, where
they secured places as riders on the
ranch above named.
For five years they worked the L y
cattle together, and the warm FRIENDSHIP
which existed between them became ;
matter of comment on every range TO
many miles up and down The tortuou'
valley ot.the Iondo. They shared eact
others blankets at the ranch and on thu
trail, and, with all their property what
was Mats WIS Tony's, and what wa:
Tony's was Mats.
Nit Carter, the foreman Of the L \
ranch, was regarded as the best posted
man on stock and ranges in Eastern
New Mexico. He was the arbiter il
every contest. The referee in every
dispute. New corners sought his advice
before making investments, and old
ranchers consulted him before closing
any deal of more than minor magni-
tude.
A wind and rain storm of more than
usual violence struck the Hondo and
drifted the cattle all over the country.
Alarmed by the binding rain and terri
tic gale they ran before the storm, scat
tering wider and wider over the coun-
try in their flight. When the storm
subsidized every available rider was or
dered into the saddle to round UP the
fugitive stock.
"Mat, you and Tony ride down the
river about twenty miles-dOwn to the
mouth of Sand Creek, an work back up
the valley. Ride all the rincons and
work close in The brush all along the
river. Bring up ali you find OF any
brand"
In obedience 10 the foreman's in.
structiOnS the two swung themselves
into the saddle and moved rapidly
southwark. About noon they reached
the n outh of small stream flowing
into tie Hondo. !.
Reckon this must be Sand Greek
Tony. We've rid twenty good miles,
an this must be our tnrnin' point. Let's
SEl QON II Sol3SS-OuI 14OioSo "h N"'
some lunch ourselves"
Isn't that smoke risin' over thai
point down thar, NlatN
"B'Iieve it is. Reckon somebody
camped thar. Wen ride down an see
who it's"
When they turned the point, but a
short distance ahead, they saw a neat
ranch house near a group of corrals.
Riding up TO the door, they hailed the
inmates, and a neatly dressed woman
answered the call.
Good day, num-"
How d'y do, boys? Git down an
come in. Dinners lest about ready,
an my husband'll be var soon. He rode
up the gulch little ways after beef
steer. Jest take yer hOSseS up thar on
that fiat, whar thar's good grass"
They soon returned to the house, and
as they entered the door paused in evil
dent embarrassment not unmiXed with
astOnishnent. A young girl of about
eighteen, pretty-aS a wild rose, the hue
of which her rosy cheeks would have
put to deeper blush. stood with hel
hands resting Oh the kitchen table. Smil
ing them Western welcome.
My daughter, Mary, boys. Amt
neither one o you told me your names
yit."
The information was impaired. and
the young girl advanced and shook
hands with the two cowboys.
Pm awful glad to see you, bows"
she said. ''Ain't many people happens
along here now, am lis been long time
any body from the. L X rode down
'Cept Milt;, he draps down now an
them a'7s-f7fN
The boys embarrassment SooE wore
off beneath the social conversation OF
the mother and daughter. and they be-
gan to feel quite at home. The young
girl charmed them. and when she would
cast a bright glance at either he could
feel its warm influence permeate
through the inmost depths of his heart.
Some persons may smile with III
credulity at reference to the bashful
ness OF the cowboy. a bold knight OF
the saddle and rope may be of rough
reckless nature, fearless in disposition
and cheeky" among his fellow riders
yet glance from a woman will cause
the bushes to redden his face and fiji
his soul with confusion. In his wild
rough life il is seldom his eyes fall upor
female face, and he holds the sex il
almost sacred veneration. He know;
but little of female society, and in the
majority Of cases. when thrown in con
tact with woman, he feels greatly EN-
barrassed, as if confronted by winged
angel from the realms above.
wonder What keeps pop?" thu
mother said, See if you can't hurr.
him up, Mary - -
The girl took a Winchester rifle from
rack on the wall. and, stepping to TIT
door. fired shot.
If WAS answered Ivy n shout n ouarta
of mile distant, and Bill Rogers, TIL
ranchman. soon appeared driving
steer, which be penped in one
Of the corrals. Turning his horse GU
to Craze, he entered the house AM
greeted the boys with welcoming
hanGsnake.
'Glad yer var. boys he said, ''fur TIN
old woman won't cuss me afore you
diners a-splin' an she's a-chatin' unde
the collar"
oval, it's a shame. Bill, an you kno,
it. Eve got tired tryin' to git up goo
dinners fur you, jest TO have EN- spill
on the stove account O. your pokiness.
"Wal, mother, yer bark's WusS'n ye
at me if you tried. But you never Gus
yer OF dad, do you, Mary?"
The girl put hand on each of hi
cheeks and gave him a kiss either Of til
boys would have given an arm for.
''NO,.pop, but / cit mighty riled some
times, though. Yet ] always cXcuS
you. 'causcI know you don't know n
better"
lie slapped her playfully., and the
all surrounded the table aud did fu