The record-union., 1893-01-23
THOSE TEXAS STEERS.
The Fortune That Awaits a Local
Special Policeman,
If lie VIII Only Forsaize Politics and
tsHie'' Himself to the wilds of
the Lone Star State.

Hiram Greer. the efficient special Off
Ger and commander of the patrol wagon,
would never be suspected by the ordinary
observer of being sentimental. He is
seen so often under circumstances which
call into action his more forocious and
executive instincts, in handling fractious
drunks and other troublesome prisoners,
that he is generally supposed TO be callous
and unimpressionable.
That this is not his true nature few are
aware save his more intimate friends and
some of the reporters who are close OBJ
servers, and who by various strategems
find out about all that Greer knows.
The other day the popular special officer
was cornered by trio of reporters in
quest of items, but Hi was singularly
melancholy and silent, and contrary to
his usual custom could not furnish soli-
tary ''story."
''.fhe fact is, boys" said he, "I've just
got letter from Texas which makes me
feel homesick and lonesome. 1t is from
an old sweetheart of mi he, and she is just
about the incest little woman 1 ever met,
and have been around good deal"
Alter making this statement Hi as
sumed look of sadness and longing and
placed his hand on his heart, like frog
in the window of French restaurant
and seemed very, very respondent or
sentimental.
''She's been writing to me for some
years now," he continued, land 1 have
written to her. l ought to go to Texas
and marry her and take charge of her
fathers ranch. Her father owns two
counties of the best land in Texas and at
the last roundup, over year ago, he had
n4, 900 head of beef cattle and more cows
and stock than individual in
this country. He is a Governor or big
railroad man of some kind, and about
old enough TO devote himself to spiritual
affairs.
~ tell you, boys, Pm foolish to stay
here, and every few days 1 think of start
ing for Texas. Just read that letter."
Hl turned over to one of his listeners
an epistle covering seven or eight sheets
of letter paper, written on both sides and
in neat feminine hand. AS near as it
can be recalled its main sentiments
were as follows:
my OaOn Dearest: Your last letter re-
celVed. Again l am asked to wait your
coming, but oh, you do not know what it
is to wait so long. You should
be content to give up politics and fame
and come to me and settle down in Waco
County. Even if you are elected Mayor
at the next election / cannot come to you,
and If you cannot sell the two blocks on
a loss, and come to me.
"You say you were defeated for United
States Senator by the treachery of friends
in whom you repoSed confidence. This
is too bad, but after all it is for the best.
Why should you continue to seek fame
at the expense of being separated so long
from me? do not understand. =
Remember, dearest, hope deferred
maketh the heart sick,' and remain true
to you under the greatest trials inagin-
able. Father is very feeble, and
cattle will bring good price this spring
While the range is not overstocked, about
$1,000 head viii have to be sold off at once
to allow for the spring increase.
How long, dearest, oh, how long? Your
own darling, -"
''Of course,' said Greer, after the letter
had been read aloud, 'in my letters to
her have dwelt upon the bright side of
things, and have written hopefully of the
future. She doesn't understand much
about politics, and has misconstrued some
Of my statements. But she's daisy! If
l don't leave for Texas in the spring l
propose to send for her, and you bet your
life she'll comet
Ever see her? Of course have. She
used to live in Sacramento, where she
had some trouble with her last husband,
Widow? oh, yes; she's been married
four or five times, but not lately. L
made her acquaintance several years ago,
when carried the mail, and helped her
in a divorce case.
Il tell, you, boys, when think of that
little lady down in Texas, with so much
property on her hands and a father so old
and sick, L am tempted to give up my
position here and go to her by the first
train.''
The truthful special officer wiped one
tear from each eye and changed the subject
by starting story about his life while a
stage-driver in Nevada, where the sage
hens obstructed travel. He had scarcely
changed the subject, however, when the
telephone called for the wagon and Greer
rushed off to gather in a couple of drunks