Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-05-23
BOSS OF LIBERTY RANCH
BY MRs. NJ. L. RAYNR.

The boss was very sick. The men
who disliSed him, and his clever, syste.
matic ways. and straight, honest deal.
ing, and the men who had learned to re.
spect and love him for his goodness and
unselfshness, were alike worried and
disheartened over his case. They
had sent thirty miles for doctor, who
came and went, and wasn't doing him a
bit of good. A low fever was sapping
his life away, and we realized that the
doctor didpot understand his case, and
was not helping him. suggested get
ting another doctor who had great
reputation for his medical skin, but be-
fore could act upon it, he heard of it in
some way and sent for me.
Hal" he said, holding out a lean,
brown hand, its of no use. I'm going
over the Great Divide and I'm going
alone. I'm not afraid of the journey,
but want you to help me and not hin
der me. And, Hal, you must be the
boss of Liberty Ranch-you must finish
my work. -
He made me give him solemn prom
ise that / would carry ont the plans he
had made, and then he grew light
headed, and began calling for I" Clara .
and Loren,' and went out of the
cabin, and strong man that was, felt
tear trickling down my cheek in the
starlight. The night was so beautiful,
so full of heavenly promise. and the only
being 1 loved on earth was lying just
within there-dying ld
He was our s' boss" too, the leader.
director, of this camp of rough men
hired by a.big contractor who wanted
their sinews and souls like the cattle
they branded in herds, They had fought
and rioted and despoiled until one day
this brown-skinned, smooth-faced chap
walked in among them, said, "men, I'm
your master and made compact with
them for their fealty, and saw that
they kept it, too. One look from under
his level brows brought the toughest
man there to terms A word or two
conquered another. Soon he was writ
ing their letters home for them, reading
to them, and keeping them out of mis-
chief.
did not take to him at first. IL
seemed to me that he was always watch.
ing for some one, and was suspicious
that he was fugitive from justice, al
ways on the alert for a surprise. He
fastened the door of his adobe cabin like
tenderfoot, and had to be approached
like an army general in his tent. And
he never got over that way he had of
looking of to the east and listening
and starting as stays do when they scent
the sea. was apprehensive that some
day he would stampede Just as they do.
and we would never see him again. And
he did-bpt in rather different way.
He had been with us year or more,
when one day couple of tourists rode
up on horseback on our ranch, and asked
If they could stay and rest and have din
ner there. missed the boss and went
to the adobe after him.
I" Company, sir, said when 1 was
inside. The boss was standing in the
middle of the cabin and didn't look
around.
.'Yes. yes" he said, 81 wish people
would let us alone. But, Hal, give them
the best, and Hal he turned a CHASTITY
white face toward me" don't let them
in here
..Are you sick, sirf" asked in sur
"Yes. feel wretchedly bad Hal,
notice what they talk about, what he
says, but keep them away-keep them
away !"
P4tAGA NA4C gSlof eALA4 40 AC L4fA WOn
me over by this time, by his goodness,
was willing to stand between him and
harm, but. I felt sure, more sure than
ever, that he had committed some crime
and was afraid of being apprehended /
determined to protect him and if these
We're his enemies to go to any length to
aid him to escape
But the two strangers who had come
-
were on an outing with large company
from whom they had parted for the day.
They had a curiosity to see our ranch.
were tired. and only sought brief rest.
and to'be left to themselves.
They were man and his wife. She
was a faded beauty; at least she was
fading, though still young. He was a
rather handsome cavalier of the gen
tlemanly type, and he was very fond Of
his wife, who pettishly accepted his at
teptions. noticed them both particu-
larIy, so that could describe them to
the boss afterwards.
When they were gone. later In the af-
ternoon, I sought the adobe and found
the boss lying In his bunk. face down,
the curtain partly drawn.
well, Hal ,"
They are gone, sir"
Who Were theyf''
"a man and his wife. He is very
much in love with her, sir, but judge
She doesn't care much for him.
Ahl doesn't love himf No, no. how
could she help loving him-he. so noble,
50" qtcG
g beg pardon. sir. but he did not inn
press me as noble; on the contrary,
thought him weak. The woman must
have been beautiful once. but she looks
disappointed and peeyish now -
Did you hear what he called her2'
He called her darling and dear Q
great deal. but once he spoke to her by
the name Of Clara