The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-07-16
THE SUNSET TRAIL

Danny Redmond was a mail carrier
on the Sunset Trail and he fully real
lied the Importance Of his position,
Traffic might stagnate civilization
might pail, but the United States mail
must go right ahead, and on schedule
Hrne at that. As for the Sunset Trail,
Il wound its way far over the dreary
plains of Kansas, across the Cimmar-
ron, and on and on into the great state
Of the Lone Star.
But Danny's route only extended to
Crooked Creek a town consisting of
grocery store. At this time the popu-
lation Of Ford county could have been
easily corralled on quarter section,
and had comfortable standing room at
that. Danny was an apostle TO these
lone settlers, and only one who has ex-
perienced the appalling loneliness of ex-
stence in those thinly peopled plains,
where you can sec your next door neigh
boris shanty on clear days only, can
realize the joy with which they heralded
this blue eyed, brown haired bunch of
turbulence.
1.-TWO O'clock" would comment some
d.. unkempt denizen, consulting the sun
"Danny'll be here in ten minutes"
Then they would look till their eyes
ached afar to where the Sunset Trail
tipped over the roll Of prairie at the
horizon. Soon their watching would be
rewarded, and steadily and swiftly
would the bay mare, Dolly, bear her
rider down the trail in that swinging,
ndefatigable gallop Of the mustang.
Perchance some settler coming into
the postoffice would appreciate the best
side Of the road and jog along in the
path that Danny chose
"Git out o. the way of the United
States mail" would come the warning,
and he would prudently git" to the
other side of the road, for Danny could
and would shoot, and besides didn't he
have every one Of those fellows down at
the office to stand at his back to the last
shot2 So, no matter how much of fire
eater the obstructor might be, he switch
cd off when the carrier demanded the
right Of way.
And that was often. For that lad had
the idea inculcated into his being that
all other powers, terrestrial and celestial,
were secondary considerations when the
United States mail was concerned, and
be seized every opportunity to exercise
his authority.
How longingly and expectantly those
eager pioneers would watch the letters
distributed Though perhaps they had
no grounds for expecting a letter, yet
their hope did not sink until the last one
was put away.
Then the return mail would be made
up, and at the exact minute Danny
would vault into the large Mexican sad
dle-almost as large as he or Dolly
and with the all potent mail securely
strapped to the girdles on each side, he
would recommence his long ride, never
stopping as he tried a flying shot at
some unwieldy rattlesnale that had
dragged its mottled form out ON the rail
TO loll in the sun, and who would not be
able to wiggle into the tall grass ere the
United States mail was upon him. Along
the route the settlers would come out Of
their shanties, half bent, and wave their
sombreros and cheer the buoyant rider.
Wabash was the only stop. 1t was OF
the same importance as Crooked Greek,
only there were two houses instead of
one, or rather double house, for the
owners Of the claims that Joined up
there occupied a shanty of two compart.
ments, one on each claim. Somehow or
other the scamp would sit straighter in
the saddle and pull Dollys head up
higher when. they approached Wabash,
and pretty little peach Of a girl would
come out and chat with the carrier
while her spectacled fathers attention
was rtveted on the letter packages. Dol
ly would probably think that Danny
was getting rather weighty on one side
as he bent low in the saddle, dangerous
ly close to that pink sunbonnet. And
the scoffing gopher that sat up con
yeniently close to his burro would Won
der for what reason a fellow would want
to bite pretty girl like her. But Rosie
didn't seem to mind the punishment a
bit, All, l fear Danny would feign have
fingered longer at the unprepossessing
post of Wabash, but-the United States
mail must be carried on.
Night would fall ere he crossed the
dark Cimmarron, and on auspicious
nights the moon was well up in the sky
a
that stiiled the bowling of the coyotes,
INTO Fort Dodge-the journey done.
One day cowboy came into the fort
with jaded mustang and a slash across
his cheek, and reported that he had
been chased by band of Arapahoes
These children Of nature had grown in,
solent with well feeding and little work
They often became thus at irregular in
tervals, and breaking from the reserva.
hon swept north upon the scattered set
tiers Of the plains, considerably depopu.
lating those sparsely inhabited districts
Their great father in Washington, they
complained, was not giving them enough
blankets, and in consequence they wert
compelled to trade their moccasins foi
"tire water"
Then a wild flight would commence
for the fort and larger towns for pro
lection. The heather would rage about
with fire and sword. Occasionally somt
wandering cowboy in search Of Maver
icks would share the fate of the settlers
Then the great father in Washington
would order out his blue coated disci
Dhners and door Lo would start back I,
hia reservation with becoming humility.
Thdn q delegation would go to the great
t8ther with a squirt Of oratory about the
Ieadng Of his people into the earth by
helfoot Of the paleface.
Danny was preparing 10 start upon his
route when the news came.
"F9u oughn't TO go, Dan" they said
Stqr they'll strike right up the Cimmar
sQnShke they allays do, and MORN likely
eIlefoul Of sou. Ifyou do your scalpl
engle from some red nigger's belt be
fdffmornun.r
s"T'm not skeert, replied he, settling
Bmself In the saddle, "and besides tn,
bdlkA at Wabash and at the creek oughr
h9 warned. And you know the mai
qssto go as long as it's anyways pos
hble."
The spur touched Dolly's flank NOR,
often than usual, but she kept up brave
lys and Danny clattered into Wabasl
ahead Of time Imparting the alarming
Intelligence to old man Beck, the post
laster, and cautioning him to get tn,
amily ready and start for the post with
9pafurther delay, he rode ON towart
Crooked creek.
"JeYhillakers!" exclaimed one Of tn
watchers. Whats Danny ridin so all
dred fast about? Must be suthin up"
They soon knew, and scattered fol
their respective claims TO prepare fo
digit ere the storm burst
Danny olinohed the saddle tighter am,
looked to his weapons ere he mounte,
torthe home ride. He was not afraid
Hadhe been q coward he would havO
remained safely at the fort. But al
oninous dread fell upon him as h
thought Of the dark Cimmarron. II
arrived at Wabash and looked In at tn