The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-01-14

that Jimvi!lc laughed ut. lie said he
was riding English" We said, the
ponvs name was 'RuOe." aud Incl
denlally ventureI that if he were to
ride that way for days at Il time his
hide would be shreds small enough to
make saddic-straps of.
Spring drifted away before the fierce
summer sun and he was still with us.
And then the new Schooima' am came.
The old one had been offered school
near Austin and had left u. She was
an elderly, homely lady, and nobody
paid much attention to her.
But the new schooma'am! She was
Young, and-So pretty. The blush of
an AirXauiria peach was on her vel
ycly cheek how she kept her com
u,exinn in that climate is Il mystery
chmcric-and the CLINT of the cloud
less. nzue Texas sky was in her eyes.
Sac was he daughter Of farmer i'll
tie rcigihniing to"nship. and her
uanrp was Mamie Alvin. She hadn't
tauIht e .Ool week before all the
chii,i;cm in The district were her very
humb.c servants. Consequently she
ruled lie Village.
The Nrc!cl GyincCd Il sudden fond
ness for pvdcstriauislI after this. He
used 10 happen ~ the school-hOuSc in
the most casual way, Just about the
time that institution OF learning was
letting cut. Ihrn he would walk
home with Miss Alvin aud carry her
books and things. lie used to talk
very sveclly to her fancy, and she
seemed 10 glow quite toud Of him.
,JimyiIlr looked on and swore to itself.
There was no denying 1.-THE school
na'am was falling in love with the
WRETCH.
Tue man who swore louicst aud
mos fcrNcntIy at this state Of things
was Lariat Dick, tie cowboy. He
loved The schoolma'am since lie first
set eyes on her, but his rough un-
polished WAYS would not let him show
his love except III the Wi,tfalness of
his biz eyes. lie was hard, uncul-
tured fellow. used to an ungcntle life.
but lie was honest as the day was long.
Like all strong. omc-keepifig men. lie
yenrrated woman with an almost
childish fcrvOr.
One cveming-the summer WAS al
ready we'll advanced. and the Wretch
and Mamie were in JimvilicS eyes rs
good as cngaged-LaI lat Dick clatter-
ed past The outiNlug houses OF the VII
Jage ut Il pace that betOkcnCd some
thing unusual. His pony was covered
with sweat, and the man himself look
ell dark as Il cloud. He rode up to the
general store where ut that time near
Is all Jimville congregated. As he
came in the st0rm-cIOud on his face was
not pleasant To look at.
Read that" he said to the old man
Bowman. handing him letter; read
il nu! loud. sos YOU all kin hear it."
Bow man took II. his hand embling
4 aliltle. aud began to read. 1t was to
the Wretc from a girl in the East. 1t
was an arpeal shat he return soon.
tnat the ~ sin might be married in
july.
How did YOU get il?' asked Bow
man as he folded the paper up again.
Il was mp at Mlrst0wn." said Lariat
Dick. 'lag!n' in stores SOS could put
nv freight for the Jancinto ranch at
sun-up There meets a pard, Jack
Peters rs has punched COWS with me
some frequently. Ne and him goes
into the Red Front to kinder foster old
recoileCti0us an who should | see
there but Vuur eastern tCndcrfo0t CrOs-
waite. Hes kinder mellow. bein some
drinks ahead. Jack an me is Il staDd
in there tradin' lies quite gayiy when
! hears Croswaite say: Here's TO the
best girl in the country, as I'm go
in to murryn Watch drinks 10 like
wise. me thinkin' as he means our
sehoolmarm. Yes he goes on; pretty
r
married. See. she SAYS July An
with that he sights Il letter at me,
witicI of course ! reads. When | gets
the how of it rounded up in my head |
knocks Inc fellow down without argu-
ment. Then rides for here. An
now. what's this ranch goia 10 do?'
After this iiow nj cloqucnce Dick
waited. lowering and expectant. We
had weighed the matter already while
he was speaking. IN the luud where
the Wretch came from. we thought, it
might he quite Il usual thing TO be en-
ga4ei to one girl and make love to an
other bat we wouldn't have il so in
Jimville. And before the breath cx-
hausted by the ride and the ranid
speech was all iuto Dick again. the
murmur arose, swelling like tie fury
of Il cyclone and growing more dis
iinct. til the final Hes got To leave
Texasm came from the crowd as Il
li"atuing-hish shoots from the cloud
rift.
who'll tell him?H asked somebody.
Il will. > said Lariat D.ck.
just then there was II sound of Il
rush of boots outside. of Il horse being
thrown back almost onto its haunches.
Il muller1d oatl-and then the Wretch
stepped into the store. his eyes abaze.
The kuucL-,fONn blow had driven the
LIQUOR fumes from him. BGt it had
also infuriatcd him almost out of all
reason.
Il want the man" he began; then
he paused. noting that he spoke TO the
cleaning barrel Of Il siX-shooIer-
Yes" said Llriat Dick. Il reckon
Won wants me. an | amt stampeding
none. You don't want me worse than
we want you. I've bin cut out Of the
herd to sort o hold an experience meet
in with YOU. Now. what asks of you,
Won answers TO. Savvv?'
The Wretch made a quick motion to
his hip. But in a moment dozen
more pistols were leveled at him.
No went on Dick, "vou can't
buck none. Now answer! Air YOU
engaged 10 be hitched to a girl back
Elsl?H
Il am" came sullenly from between
the cliuched teeth.
Does our schoolmarm know it?"
"Na.n