Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-05-24
KING JOS REVENGE.
By s. A. D. Cox.

A braver, truer, nobler-hearted fell
low wnever lived than 10 King" King
10" the boys called him.
Joe was the "boss" of the band OF
cowboys employed on the Starlight
Ranch, in southwestern Kansas, and
what he said was law.
10 was n typical cowboy-honest,
honorable, chivalric, brave, a dead
shot, unerring with the lasso, CEN
taur in the saddle. It is no wonder
the boys called him King Jo."
10 was Mr., Winners mainstay and
dependence, and he had charge of all
outside work; while all the proprietor
did was to look after the book keep
ing and clerical work incident to the
running of a big ranch like the Star
light.
Mr.. Winner thought q great deal of
10. but not moro than his daughter
Nellie did. Nellie was sixteen, and
as lovely a girl as ever you looked
upon. Nellie liked 10 very much,
ing OF Clarence Merwin undeceived
was.
Clarence Merwin was an easterner,
"tenderfoot." in the parlance OF the
range, and his handsome face, fine
clothes, and genteel manners wore
| not long in making an impression
on the susceptible heart OF tho girl
who had not really yielded up
her heart to the handsome, stall
wart cowboy as yot, but who would
| undoubtedly have done 80 but for the
coming of young Merwin.
Merwin had come West to sec the
country, and regain his health, which
had been lost partly through indul-
gence in the dissipation incident to
the large cities OF the East. He was a
| good follow at heart, but was one OF
those weak persons who are easily
| influenced by their surroundings. He
rode with Nellie, sang with her, read
to her from books-of which he had
brought trunkful-and finally fell
in love with her. True, Nellie was
not just the kind OF girl he would
have thought OF falling in love with
had he given the matter thought
before coming to Kansas, but after
being in her company constantly for
several months, he learned to love
her in spite OF himself.
And Jol He was in despair. He
was the first to see which way tho
wind was blowing. and, noble-hearted
40AAO" LAdI AS "uSI uo u1do6 up MS
mind to be very gentle with Nellie.
When, however, he went to Nellie and
| asked her II she really loved the young
easterner and she said she did, 10 for
got his intention to be kind and gen.
tie, and frightened the girl by flying
into a rage and cursing Merwin
roundly.
"I'll kill the scoundrell" he cried !;
che had no business to come out here
and steal your love away from mo- He
shall not marry YOU"
Nellie burst into tears, and 10,
nearly distracted, and not daring to
trust himself longer in her presence,
rushed away to Mr.. Winner and do
manded settlement.
Mr.. Winner did everything he could
to get Jo to change his mind, but to
no avail; 10 was determined. II
can't stay, Mr.. Winner" he said,
"and it's useless to ask me. 1t
wouldn't do at all; I'd kill that whip
per-snapper II did"
"Then 1 wish you'd stayl" said
Nellie's father in half earnest tone;
"I don't fancy the fellow for hus-
band for Nellie at all. I'd much
rather have you, Jo."
but Nellie wouldn't" said 10 BIT
terly, "and she's the doctor. I've got
to CO."
SO the settlement was mado, and 10
began making preparations to leave.
It was his intention to go early next
morning, and he was up by sunrise.
He had said good-by to Mr.. Winner
the evening before, and all he had to
do was to saddle his horse, mount,
and ride away, where, he had not the
least idea; he had not given the mat
ter a thought, in fact he did not much
care. Observation-Disclosures get
away from the place where he had to
see a successful rival reveling In the
love he thought ought to be his.
Having saddled his horse, 10 led
the animal down to the spring to let
him drink. before starting on what
would probably prove to be a long
and hot ride.
Just before reaching the spring, Jo
heard queer whirring sound, and
stopped as II shot at. To the cowboy,
bred on the prairies, the sound was
recognized on the instant It was the
warning OF the deadly rattlesnakeI It
sounded too far away to have been
caused by his approach, however, and
10 wondered what had angered the
A0RtASs 46ALuB y 4SH steps IOIWarQ
in the direction of the spring, he saw
what had aroused tho ire of the snake.
Stretched upon the sand few feet
from the spring was Clarence Merwin
and foot behind him, coiling itself
for its deadly stroke, was q big rattle
snake. And the young easterner was
sound asleep. a haIf-smoked cigar
was lying beside him, and he lay
there holly unconscious OF the deadly
peril that menaced him.
There was one thing that Merwin
was noted for, and that was his early
rising. He was always up before day
break, and out, getting the pure,
fresh air of the morning. Evidently
he had come down to the spring for
drink, had seated himself, lighted
cigar, and had dropped down for a
nap. The snake, coming. probably,
to get drink at the spring, found
the sleeper blocking his way. Now,
coiled, ready for its doadly stroke.
movement on the part OF the sleeper,
movement soon to be made unless
something interfered to prevent,
would precipitate the stroke, and all
would be over.
A moment 10 stood and looked.