St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-01-11
Splrcfrn Sfnru,
AN OUTLAW IN PETTICOATS.

Mamie Leatherbury rocked up and
down in a big rocking chair on the
veranda of a long, rambling two
STORED house, which nestled IN a
garden abloom with seml-tropical
plants and trees, down by Red
River, Texas. Quite frown gather
cred on her piquant face as she dwelt
on her mornings mishaps. She and
her fance, Forrest Fairfax, had only
been in Texas few days-he tor the
purpose OF looking after some cattle
interests and she tor love of change
and to see her married sister, with
whom they were staying. Mamie
Leatherbury was a veritable gypsy
at heart, for she never was so happy
as when she was wandering about
with the same restless fever which is
the heritage OF that picturesque tribe.
Fiicking the dust off her riding boots
with her whip, she rose and walked
rapidly up and down, in a high
temper
why did they send me such an
unbroken beast? I'm not a circus
rider; besides, no girl on earth could
sit such a chain lightning performer"
Her eyes filed with tears as she
talked, and the show she had made
OF herself, turning somersaults and
landing on her head in a cactus bed
before the amused natives, an hour
or SO before, was vivid memory.
Forrest Fairfax was sitting on the
veranda railing smoking a pipe.
His long legs dangled down in an
awkward way on a flower bed be-
low, to the detriment of jasmine
vine, which was timidly elm bling
frail trellis.
1T was the best they had, Nan, so
the livery stable keeper told me-"
looking as concerned d it was pos
sible for any one to look with his
round, pink face, whose natural OK
preston was one of good humOr and
health.
Just at that moment her attention
was drawn to dark object which
drew nearer and nearer over the
prairie. The object proved to be two
horses-a woman rode one and led
the other. Being a lover of horse
flesh. like all her country people, she
invOluntarily took in all the points
of horse. Suddenly exclaiming
with lively interest: Now that's
the sort of a mount l take pleasure
in. See how even his gails are and
how well bred he is
The woman halted in front Of the
house and in a twinkle jumped off,
and advanced towards the steps,
leading the horses, a bright smile on
her tanned face. Mamie noticed tina
she was young, not more than 16
or II 1t the most. She wore brown
breeches and boots. Her short,
cloth skirt was similar to those
worn by the women on the moors Of
Scotland. Around her throat was
twisted a yellow silk handkerchief,
and her head was protected from the
brilliant sunshine by a large SOM
brero, such as the cowboys wear.
Good evening, lady. l heard this
morning down at the ranch, that
you were looking for a saddle horse,
so I've brought one TO show you"
She took her sombrero off as she
spoke, and wiped the persperation
from her forehead, where short, black
curls clustered in damp little rings.
Her ungloVed hands were tiny and
brown, but anyone could see they
were strong as steel.
Mamie walked out on the grass
to examine the beautiful animal
ing for one to hire, but do not wish
to buy, because we shall only be here
a few weeks"
A shade of disappointment fell
over the little horse dealers face,
but frightening up she said coaxing-
ly, Come and have a ride on him
and l think you will change your
mind"
Forrest began to feel uneasy
as he gentle?" he asked, as the
nervous creature put back his ears,
snorting at such ia miliarity.
"Oh, perfectly. You see I've only
a plain snaffle on him. HIS mouth
is like velvet"
Nannie's admira ton prevailed, so
she insisted on mounting, and in a
moment was in the saddle.
''Shall l come along, too?" he
asked. My horse is just around the
field in a she'd"
"Oh, no thank you," she answered
lightly. 4 think we can get along
very well" and she smiled down in
to the bewitching eyes of the little
horse dealer, who seemed very much
pleased with the arrangement, as
she jumped up on her horse without
any assistance. In a second they
were both trotting off very quietly
to a part of the prairie where there
was fine going.
~ shall only be gone for an hour,
Forrest" she called back as they
broke into a canter.
He was standing in a small group
of men who had collected on the
lawn in front of the house. Among
them was the u S. deputy marshal
from Little Rock.
Great Caesar, but l think I've hit