The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-14
kERNAN'S WOOING
Tale of Poetic Justice
From San Diego.
HORSEWHiPPED BY A MAID.
Papa Held the Key to the Situation
With a Double Barreied
Shotgun.


SAN DIEGO, May ia most diverting
and satisfactory story of poetic justice
comes from Campo, a little settlement
fifty miles east of this city, near the Next
can border, where the sparselY settled
country gives scope for happenings wild
and woolIy.
Some days ago d. Herman, rancher.
living six miles from Campo. saddled his
mustang and rode over to the ranch of his
neighbor, Albert Asbeck. a German, who
lives alone with his pretty and buxom
daughter, Isabel.
Herman has a reputation not calculated
to bring him the smiles Of the fair, bat his
has not prevented him from casting Sleeps
eyes at his neighbours Isabel. All his
efforts proved vain, however. aud the
other day he evidently intended 10 try an
other plan.
Choosing a time when the father of
Isabel was away at work Herman rode up
to the house. tied his horse and entered.
Isabel greeted him coldly. He gave as an
excuse for his presence that he had come
to buy cow Of Mr.. Asbeck.
Something in his manner convinced the
girl. with her quick Intuition. that he was
there for sinister purpose. but she pre-
served calm demeanor and answered his
questions quickly, making up her mind to
make dear fight for her honor If need be.
Sneakingly looking around to make sure
the gir?s father was away Herman at
length openly and grossly insulted the de-
fenseless girl who ran from the house TO
escape the clutches of the brute.
he followed her outside and renewed his
insults. Frightened half to death the girl
cried for help. and at length turned in
desperation to measure her strength
against her Infamous assailant.
At this moment The father Of the girl
appeared on the scene. He had heard the
girls screams, and. Owning the cause, ran
and got his shotgun. Herman caught a
glimpe OF The old man, and with an oathhe
turned and sprang for his horse. Before
he had united the animal the two barrels
of the gun were pointed dangerously
straight at his heart and he was ordered to
stand still.
Go and get a horsewhip, Isabel" said
her father.
The cowardly brute writhed at the sug-
gestioa Of his coming punishment, but the
cold. repulsye stare of the shotgun had
powerful hypnotic influence over his
movements. In a fever OF excitement the
girl returned, bearing stout whip.
Come few feet away from that horse"
suggested the old man to the guest The
shotgun added its persuasive influence,
and the suggestion was Immediately
| adopted,
Now, lay it on hard, Isabel" said her
father. land you, he muttered 10 4 rnan,
'if you look at that girl III blow your
lead OH"
Swish. swish. The sibilant ISIS OF the
lash descending brought a look to Ker-
mans eyes like the surprised look OF a star
tied fawn. But he lacked the fawn's gay
freedom of movement. As the black muz-
ze Of the shotgun grew and grew the
whip rose ana fsll with painful celebrity
and precision, the girls round arm dis
playing surprising strength.
Don't be stingy, Isabel" said the old
man. and Isabel, like a dutiful daughter.
gave her visitor the full measure.
Herman twisted and writhed in pain as
the wells on his back were crossed with
other welts.
lie attempted to turn half round to get
the poor satisfaction Of seeing the LASH
fall, but The stony CLINT in the old mans
eye and offensive familiarity on tie part
of the shotgun changed his mind. Finally
the girl, painting aud tired after such
violent though healthy exercise, dropped
her arm and turned away.
Get on your horse" said The cid man.
Herman got.
Git"
Evidently that was the most welcome
| word Herman ever heard. He accepted it
in its most literal sense. He doubtless
felt that his visit had been unduly pro-
longed already, and in his haste to go he
forgot to ask the old man if he had cow
TO sell.