The National tribune., 1893-02-09
A BUFFAL0-GRASS
VALENTINE,
How Old SandhilI Secured One for
His Daughter.
By AID n. GIBSON.
IMON EARLY was an
EI AID n. GIBSON.


fatalities had 10 be reported, though many
complaints of being "shuck up right smart
might have been heard on various sides.
Messrs Hoof& Tallow piled a thrifty bust
ness in buying up and shipping out hides bones,
etc. products made abundant by the cyclone,
the BLIZZARD, and the great, gaunt piairis
wolves
Simon was fresh from the rural districts
around Star Valley, Kansas from which it was
rumOrea that his folks had been driven by
force OF dry weather, chinch- bugs, and the
Alliance Party. A few of their former aCquaint-
aBces however. declared that the tail, thin
visagcd Icing kmuwn as Simon's father had
been scinated in quitting his old place of abode
more on account Of the enforcement of the pro-
hibitcry isw than for any other reason. and had
come 70 re among cowboys and bufia lo-grass.
where mare freedom Of conscience was per
mitted
BE tha: as it may, the elder Early had re.
moved his family and belongings to the more
unrestricted town of Windy City, where the
difiidcnt Simon had secured a position in his
Uncle H0of's establishment.
In order to help Simon scrape off some OF the
lashfulhcss ior which he was renowned his
considcrate uncle and Mr.. Tallow frequently
sent him across the hiilocks and holows of
bufao-grass to outlying farmers and ranchers
10 bargain for fresh supplies of hides, bones
and anything in their line
IL was ST. Valentines Day, mild and pleasant
But tbs good aud Inuch-enduring citizens OF
Windy City were not Misunderstanding peo-
PIE. and Il is doubtful if more than half dozen
OF them could have told you why the 18th OF
February was such popular day with young
folks.
Simon was enc OF that half dozen. He knew
what Valentines Day meant, aud it had been
LIS intention to answer an advertisement ia
newspaper where he had read that two fancy.
lace triHlAed expressions of lovers feelings
might be purchased for FIVE cents
He didHE care for the money, and, much as
he would have liked sending both of them to
certain maiden over on Tar Greek, he lacked
even the courage to write the manufacturers
what he wanted. They didn't keep valentines
for sale at any Of the stores in Windy City. |
But shutting whatever regrets or longings he
might have closely in his heart, Simon mounted
his brcncho and rode away across the prairie TO |
engage hides and bones for the firm.
lie blgshcd 10 himself as he thought how
much pleasanter it would be to engage that |
certain IlHideR in conversation, if he only |
Cared DO II.
An unusual early blizzard had swept along |
Tar Creek. killing great deal of stock for the |
ranchers. This enabled the youth to reap a /
rich harvest in the peculiar wares of the firm.
Having bargained with some fellows en- |
gagged IA the bone picking business to deliver 4
at an curly day, Simon started toward home
directing his broncho by cattle path that
passed the ranch of old Sandhill Hyde, one Of /
The first corners to Tar Creek The old rancher,
iovial and grizzly, caught sight Of Simon and |
hailed him.
Hullo. Sine. Ride in an lite. It's near
hash time, an et yer not erbove breakin' an'
estin corndodgcr an taters with ole San'hill
an has gals, les take yer lean off tibet
criiter am KEN in. Their women folks d be
plumb ticbied ter heF yer stop"
I'm much obliged to you. Mr.. Hyde" re-
turned Simon. hating before the old rancher,
and only few feet from the door of the cabin. |
% but must be gettin' back"
- Yer hau't goin' ter do no sech thing Sine
Git right off say" insisted old SandhlI.
" can't Mr. Hyde" stammered Simon. |
blushing as red as Kansas sunset, and bow
ing neryously 10 the six buxom daughters OF
Ssndhill, who. hearing voices outside, had
rushed TO the door TO learn who had arrived.
So great was the shock to Simon. when he be.
held those six black-eyed, rosy checked crea-
lures gazing at him, that he really felt faint His
backbone was as limp as a piece of wet cheese
cloth.
Several times before he had met Sandbilps
six girls. and at three or four "gum -chaws" on
Tar Greek that Winter he had actually had the
courage to play with one of them. In fact.
that one was the certain maiden Simon had
thought OF when he read about the two vaien-
Zines for five cents cowboy friend was re-
the mysteries of those frontier play parties and
although the dark orbs of Alzony HYDE had
almost unhinged his nervous system, he had
somehow managed 10 play several games with
her
He had not seen Alzony since the New Years
parry at 1had Miliers, and now the sight OF her
IN ali her strong beauty set wild emotions
caperiug in his breast. and he resolved to A.
as speedily as be could tear himself away from
Old Sandhill. Then he suddenly remembered
that his employers had comm ssioned him 10
call that very day at Rancher Hyde's Despite
The fact that it Was agony to talk business with
those SIX girls standing in the doorway. Simon
made heroic effort and stammered out:
" can't get of to-day but wanted to see
you little business"
q All right Slime Wot kin / do fur verPn
encouraged Old Ssndhill.
Have you any hides?" asked Simon. very
red IN the face; " want what You have if you
can spare EN-"
peculiar twinkle came into the old
rsncher's eyes, and raising his lusty voice, he
called:
''Sary Lib. ken hyer."
Wot yer waut?" demanded fieshy. mid.
dle-aged woman, pushing the girls good
out OF the door and taking possession
OF the space herself"
Hyer's this Windy City hairpiu wantiu' ter
know eff we hey any hides ter spare" he in
formed his smiling spouse.
Maal. low we hev," she returned nodding
pleasantly 10 the caseess Simon, her smile
broadening as she scented one of Sandhilps
characteristic Jokes
Wal. Slime, yer hear wot Sary Lib hey ter
say, so. as fur as I'm consumed yer kin how
every hide Eve got eff yer want 'en, /" was Sand.
hills answer, winking facetiousIy at his better.
half
How many have your" asken the hide
buyer growing more and more uneasy under
The quizzicai treatment of the old rancher.
SIX, all mighty well KEEP" with an expan-
eiYe grin.
d iike to see them right away" answered
Simon, hdgeting neryously with his bridle-rein,
g" got 10 be gettin' back"
All right Sine" and pointing TO his six
ggglng girls, Old Sandhili continued THAR
Slime, is my Hydes, an low yer won't strike
er liner lot IN this whole blame kentry. /
didn't spect ersim hairpin like yer would want
EN- all, but CT yer DO, take every hooter of 'em
an may buherlo grass an bones save yerI"
! he face Of the t!mid hide buyer was painful
TO behold. He tried TO urge his broncho away,
pat ne was powerless 10 speak or move. The
girls unable longer 20 repress their disabilities
Joined their parents in laughter.
WAL, SINE" the old rancher went ON.
choking back another roar Of mirth, "seein' as
yer KIN o morose erbout Their matter, I'll
Throw Ia Their ole woman ter boot"
That WAS too much With a shock Simon
recovered his power of motion, prodded his
broncho sharply, and started away from the
scene OF his torture. Then Old Sandhill lifted
"a n