The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-10-20

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And now, as said, horse and ride
were on topof the cut bank some twent,
feet above the road, along which trottet
little Goldy, lifting her sril voice il
invocation OF Papa Jack, ;. outing ant
crashing along in hot purs,.t Of bi,
Texas steer that had broken away from
beneath the branding iron, wild ant
savage with pain and wilder and more
savage for the rough hazing given hin
by Jim and Ginger.
The round up had been working that
morning half mile away across the
Cottonois; had inst made camp, and al
thai tatefui moment Papa Jack" was
saying, as he pulled the saddle from off
his tired horse:
"Fll throw this onto Tobe and lone
over to the ranch for dinner Its only a
couple OF miles; III DO back before You
are fairly at work.
And 80, with his coat thrown over his
arm and his right leg curled around the
pommel OF the saddle, to rest the tired
muscles, he galloped his fresh horse
easily up the slope from the Cottonois,
to see--his child, his golden haired baby,
running toward him, with arms out
stretched, crying, Papa Jack, toned
to wideF And behind her, only a
few rods, coming at full charge, head
down eyes rolling in their blood full
sockets. maddened by his mornings tor
ture, and wild to attack something-the
big Texas steer, which had slipped down
a blind coulee under the very eyes of
Jim and Ginger
Great heavensr cried the father as
the full significance OF the sight burst
upon him. Great heavensl can't
make 1t! Tobe!' and voice and spur and
quirt were put at their work, and lean
ing forward in the saddle the man
brought all the strength that was in
him to the task Of urging on the animal
The horse was good one, and he ran
well, striding to his full reach, sides and
TANKS heaving with the sudden strain
and soon tecked with the flying foam
from his mouth, which mingled with
the blood drawn by the madly driven
spurs OF his rider. But in vain! The
chance was too great, and Jack Ford
ham closed his eyes and his senses
reeled at the thought of the horrible
thing which he saw that he was power.
less to prevent
Meanwhile Jim had missed his steer
and, riding near the edge of the bank in
his search, heard Goldy's cry at the sight
Of her approaching father, and peering
over took in the situation at glance
Measuring from bis coign of vantage the
relative position Of the actors in the
scene below, he wheeled his horse and
gailoped back Il few yards, then head
ing him toward point which would
bring him between the child and the in
furiated animal which was SO RAPIDLY
nearing her, he gave significant shake
10 the bride.
We've got to do it, Ginger" he said.
'Goodby, old boy" and straight as a
'hot the obedient creature sped--and
iorse and man came hurling down with
crash that put an effectual stop to the
'areer OF the brute below, which, recor-
nzing its old adversaries, turned and
led down the valley of the Cottonois.
A minute later Jack Fordham flung
himself from his painting horse, and
With difficulty dragged his half con.
cious friend away from the carcass of
oor Ginger, whose neck had been
roken in the desperate leap.
"JimF he cried, Jim, old man! do
on know what you've done? You've
aved her from those horns and hoofs,
IAN! The baby! don't you understand
'hink of her mother, Jim; and of me,
Id man. What is it? Your legs Wen
ave you in bed in the house and the
est doctor in the territory-Jim, old
lend, can't you speak to me2'
Jim opened his eyes, and his friends
wv that a manly tear was standing in
lch Of them.
Never mind the legl'' he cried; sits {
'or old Ginger I'm thinking ofl'-De- :
oft Free Press.