The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1894-06-02
ONLY 4 COWBOY.

\
Ward, you surely are not in earnest
"Yes. l certainly will do it, Ross! Hs
ha!by Jovs, I will, just for the fun Of itP
Ross Raymond stared at his friend fo1
. moment, and then laughed outright.
"Upon my word, never saw such
fellow Is you. Ward Cameron; you re just
a. ready for any escapade at the age Of
twenty eight as you were at eighteen"
"Correct there" returned the other
with quizzical look in the heavily
fringed brown eyes; land might men
ton certain humbug that is quite ready
to follow my hsrum. scarum lead. ]
was deeply interested in Aunt Helena
description of the little teacher last even
ing, and to-day l saw her-myself unseen
and shall attend her school for the
chance of lark, if nothing else."
~Try 1t on, do, you Harvard graduate!
laughed Ross. "Don cowboy garb, talk
bad English with that highly cultivated
voice of yours-ha, ha! It's no 60, Ward
you'll be twigged in a moment"
But in this Ross, who that very even
ing was Unexpectedly summoned to hla
eastern home, proved to be mistaken
Although the surprise that pretty, golden
haired Nina Leighton encountered the
next morning when she crossed the
threshold of her, little schoo!room was
not altogether . pleasant one, no suspi-
cion of the truth entered her mind.
There stood tall, finely proportional
man, evidently awaiting her arrival. For
an instant she paused in the doorway q
her large blue eyes swept the face and
form of the. intruder; then regaining bel
sell. possession as best she could, she ad
vanced toward him, and in voice sweet
and girlish, but with ring of dignity in
it'd tones, said;
HGood morning, SIR"
"Morn," returned the man, dofing his
sombrero.
He said no more, and with the deter
mination to make the best of the situa-
ton, Nina called her school to order, then
again addressed the stranger.
May ask to what circumstance we
are indebted for this call, sira"
"Wall," explained the fine looking fel.
low, with the corners of his mouth in a
very shaky condition, Eyer see ledge
Browning over thar" with nod in the
direction of that gentleman's home,
"whar me and my pard, what's. been with
me on the frontier, came night afore last,
is my uncle; and when I got with folks
what's got book larnin' felt like I was
off my reservation. Yer see," with des-
perate gravity, "I'm sort of stray, but
I'd like to be punched in this roundup"
II understand" returned Nina, vastly
relieved. "You wish to attend school.
Your name, please"
"Ward Cameron"
swell, MI"
"0b, don't 60 ter misteripg me! Amt
! corralled along with the rest9" with an
awkward gesture in the direction of the
seats occupied by the scholars, who were
silently enjoying the little comedy.
"Of course you are one of my pupils, !"
said Nina, smilingly in spite of herself.
"And now, Ward," with deepening color,
''it will be necessary for yeu to 60 through
brief examination, that I may determine
what studies to select for you; so please
be seated"
But the fact was soon disclosed that the
cowboys education had been sadly neg
lected.
Weeks heightened into months, and
Nina Leighton found the time passing
very pleasantly.
Daughter, have you any trouble in
the schooll" quietly asked Nina's mother
noting the girls preoccupled manners as
they were seated in their coy sitting.
room one evening.
"No, mamma" smiling. ~ have not
bad the least bit of trouble with the old
time incorrigibles since Ward Cameron
came; whether on the account Of the good
example be sets, or because Of the secret
orders used. I am unable to say; but GER
tian it is that the pupils are models of
good behavior. I often wish you could
see them gather around him at recess
while he relates Indian stories. He is q
perfect ignoramus, although he does his
best to improve, often soliciting my aid
in the solution of problems that ought
not to puzzle the youngest child in school;
yet bis description of Wild western scenes
and adventures are SO graphically told
that his audience is held spell bound. But
oh, what language! What GRAMMAR"
She was silent for moment, then went
on:
Mamma, why is the one thing most
nesdful to compel natures handiwork 20
often withheld? Ward Cameron with his
grand figure and handsome face, would
be perfectly Irresistible if he were only
educated.
"Be careful, Nina" replied Mrs. Leigh.
ton, "that you do not in your absorbing
interest, teach him something not con.
tanned in school books"
Nina1a I'm aaaslod aad 8aah az