The National tribune., 1892-08-18

Back of it fiared tn
wide main street, wit
stores and cottages Unfortunately mingled
which marks the discorsolate prairie town
Beyond, Enclosed by white picket fence, strag
fled the desoiate graveyard.
The only thing in plenty which nature sup
piled was room. There was abundance c
Space. 1t was quito walk te cross the street
Eeighbors' houses stood aioof. Nobody wa
crowded, even in the graveyard.
The telegraph operator. sasiateG with land
scape leaned back. stretched himself prod g
iously, yawaed aujibly. and collapsed i'll hi
chair, which creaked in vexed remonstramce
He tossed remark over his shoulder, g So thi
Us what you are yearnin' for, Dave?"
Dave took his cane, and, limping to the door
viewed the inertness in silence. Then b
reused himself aud said cheerfully:
"A telegraph operator is all Pm good fu
since got hurt"
Seems like the com'ny might have don
moro for you when you got smashed up il
their OWE accident. 'TwOuldn't have hurt 'en
hone to keep you as conductor" grumbled
his friend.
Suddenly the afternoon stiffness was broke,
by excited voices and the sharp barking ana
Eapping OF dogs. Joe brought his feet to TIN
floor in hurry.
l can't leave the machine. Davo. Go anC
see what the rumpus is about. ] bet Brie
Rose is up to somethin 1t takes that there
girl TO stir up the boys No. Foxy" he said Il
his terrier, who was whirling around in al
ecstacy of anticipation. you stay here. /
Brier Rose is at the bottom of ii. a litfle felle
like you might get lost in the shuttle"
Dave obediently limped up the street. where
in the midst of a crowd of rough men. stood
girl holding some little animal high above her
head, while the dogs leaped and snapped
around her.
The girl, with scarlet cheeks, begged and
Ecolded and threatened them ALL to their in.
finite amusement.
Call of your dawg JIM" she said fercely
to the owner of the largest. whose leaps some
times almost reached the quivering little OBJ
sect in her hands.
Throw down the beast an / will" he an
swered.
a If that there dawg gives another jump III
pizen him before sunnp," she said slowly
Jim made lunge for the dog and sat on him
TO keep him down, while the crowd hooted in
derision of his obedience
whats all this ?" cried Dave, coming VI
and pushing his way through their midst
q Brier Rose is being held up," cried voice
The crowd yelled with delight The girls
whole face became white with rage as She
singled out the speaker.
You'll pay FOR that, Ben Miles, as you've
paid before" she said.
"Call off those brutes" cried Dave, rappin,
The nearest dog with his cane. "For shame, t
tease woman"
Look hyer, stranger" said young giant
menacingly. He lowered above Dave. who
stood his ground
I'm lame and no account in a fight" said
Dave; "but kaif maa amt goin' to see a
woman tormented."
who in thunder - began his threatener:
but Ben Miles laid a hand on his arm.
Hold on. JIM" he said THAT there's Dave
Comstock, conductor CT the smashed ND No. ~
Not the feller that got hurt savin' the
bsbyf"
The same"
Sho. stranger," said the notified Jim.
You're welcome to interfere Give us yer
hand. We wouldn't hurt her fur notiin'.
Bless my siarsi Brier Rose can take care oil
herself brtteT'n most men"
The dogs were ali held now. and the girl put
her tired arms down. She looked curiously al
the man. whose brave story she knew BY heart.
as she heard him defend her.
10 De sure. size had been defended before
there was hardly man who would not have
risked has life 20 save hers, bat they teased her
numerically when they got the chance. Dawes
interference was on a new line, She did not
quite understand 1t, but it appealed 10 her al
once.
When Dave went back to the station to tell
Joe. the latter roared with delight.
Just ike her, Exzattly like hertz he
cried, slapping his leg so inhumanly that hi:
lame friend WINGED for him.
Who is Brier Rose?" he repeated. in answer
10 Dawes question. You don't know muea il
you don't knew cid Bryan's daughter SHE'S
the best known girl from Horseshoe Gap to
Powder erik. Old Bryan's been engineer on
the road ever since the track was laid. All
eyes she was then, as she is now What wasn't
eyes was temper Same now, sayin' that now
she bosses the boys in addition to old Bryan.
She can run an engine with the best of 'em.
Bryan's taught her all the tricks. and he thinks
the sun rises and sets for just her."
Strange she would defend gopher, when
shes SO hard on the boys" observed Dave.
That's jus. IL That's Brer Rose. She's
got more tame pets; she's friendlier with every
beast in Wcepin' Wi.ier ,hau with any of the
boys She amt eyen got 3 head fur anybody
but old Bryan; yoa notice / make no mention
of heart concerain' Brier Rose; don't kecr Il
talk of what She ain. got-snd Just now she's
specially Dcwitcbed about him. After keepin'
straight for 40 resrs he's taken to drink. The
girl knows he'll lose his job if the company
gets wind OF ii, and she watches him like a
hawk
What's Bryan's run?"
" Horseshoe to Powder erik She knows
every inch Of track and siding. And / wish
you could see her handle the critter. she
knows ali BRIAN docs aud she's heap sight
quicker sicl2tin' than the cid man. Its
wuth while 20 see her oil and clean the ma.
chine. She goes over il spry as kitten"
"She's handsome" said Dave, simply.
Humph Handsome is as handsome does. y
observed Joe, grumpily. she is cold as ice
and hard as a rock. It's ny belief that she
amt got no heart same as other wimmin. And
Sassy LORI"
In spite Of what he had heard, or pernaps
because of what be had heard all things. even
the melancholy tewn itself. grew rose coored
10 Dawes SAMMY eyes With his unfailing
cheerfulness he waited hopefully .or news O
his appointment az Red Valley, and lowered
as If fascinated. around Engine No. "A.
Neither the boys nor old Bryan were slow t.
notice this. the latter having accepted such at
teniions periodically from al the young men
il was SO inevitable proceeding that up to the
tine OF the Miadicton's dance they paid no at
fention 10 it,
But that night something extraordinary oc
Cured.
The next day, as Brer Rose rode down ths
Street on her hardy little pony, the boys gath
cred around har eagerly, Notwithstanding ths
fact that size had stout little whip in hei
hand They had something new and strange
10 tease Der about.
Brier Rose" called ont Jim, as she drew
rein, you don't care noIhin' about dancin', d,
your"
You'd ruther set ali The evenin'. wouldu'i
you, now?"
D'you like the name O. Dave, or Go you
seckon you'd rather have Comsiock? 2"
Nose looked from oae TO the other as the bot