The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1893-09-26
BOSS OF LIBERTY RANCH

to respect and love lim for his good
ness and unseIfshness were alike
worried and disheartened over his
case They had sent thirty miles for
a doctor, who came and went, and
wasn't doing him bit Of good. A
low fever was sapplng his life away,
and We realized that the doctor did
net understand his case, and was not
helping him. I suggested getting
another doctor, who had great rep
utation for his medical skill, but be-
fore I could act upon it he heard OF
it in some way and sent for me.
"Hsl," he said, holding out lean,
brown hand, sits Of no use. I'm 60
ing over the Great Divide and Pm
going alone. I'm not afraid Of the
Journey, but I want you to help me
and not hinder me. and, Hal, you
must be the boss of Liberty Ranch
you must finish my work"
he made me give him a solemn
promise that I would carry out the
plans he had made, and then he grew
light-headed. and began calling for
sClara". and "Loren," and went out
Of the cabin, and strong man that I
was, T felt a tear trickling down my
cheek in the starlight The night
1as so beautiful, so full Of heavenly
promise, and the only being I loved
on earth was lying just within there
dying. =:
:, He was our "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, Pm your MASTER" and
made compact with them for their
fealty, and saw that they kept it, too.
One look from under his level brow
brought the roughest man there to
terms. A word OF two conquered an
other. Soon he was writing their
letters home for them, reading to
them, and keeping them out Of mis-
chief.
Ibid not take to him at first. 1t
seemed to me be was always watch
ing for some one, and was suspicious
that he was fugitive from Justice,
always on the alert for surprise. He
fastened the door Of his adobe cabin
like tenderfoot, and had to be ap-
preached 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. I was ap-
prehensive that somc day he would
stampede just as they do, and We
wcai6 never see him again. And he
sse-out in rather different way.
He had been with US a year or
see .-.ssee when, one day q couple Of IttesuF tastuF
lists rode up on horseback on oul
ranch, and asked if they could stay an6
rest and have dinner there. I missed
the boss and went to the adobe aftel
him.
Company, SIR" said when I wa:
inside. the boss was standing in the
middle Of the cabin and didD't looA
around.
eyes, yes" he said, II wish people
would let US alone. But, Hal, give
them the best, and Hal"-he turned
q CHASTITY white face toward NE
don't let them in here" - -
':AEe you sick, sir?" asked in sur
prise.
Eyes, feel wretchedly bad. Hal,
notice what they talk about, what he
says, but keep them.away-keep them
eway!"
pitied the boss, and as he had
won me over before this time, by hi:
goodness. was willing to stand be
tween him and harm, but I. felt sure,
more sure than ever. that he. had
committed some crime and was afraid
Of being apprehended. I determined
to protect him and If these were enc
m es to 90 to any length to aid him
to escape.
But The two strangers who had
come to the ranch were idlers Of fashion
who were on an outing with a large
company from whom they had parted
for the day. They had curiosity to
see our ranch, were tired, and onl!
sought a brief rest. and to be left. Ia
themselves. 50
They were a man and his wife. She
was faded beauty; at least she was
fading, though still young. He WAS
"a rather handsome cavalier OF the
:gent?emanly typ, and he was very
fond of his wife, who pettlshly &C.
,cepted his attentions. noticed
them both: particularly, and remarked
ON their personal appearance, so that
could describe them to the boss
afterwards ....
When they were gone, later in the
afternoon, l sought the adobe and
foHnd the boss .yiug IN his bunk, race
down, the curtain partly drawn.
well, Hal" - ..
They are gone, sir" :
"Who were tEley?"
"a man and his wife. Tie is very
~nch f. ln>e with her, sir. but
,~rc n,nch for him. y
"Ah! doesn't love him? No, no
how coul she help loving him-he, &
noJle, So