Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04
CHARLEY'S WIFE.


stay"
Instantly volley of queries was fired
at him. Who was shei Where did she
come fromf What does she look likef etc,
The COW puncher, with tantalizina
realization of the importance of his news,
refused to answer any question until he
had staked his horse out and absorbed
liberal quantity Of provender from the
mess wagon, washed down with copious
drafts of coffee "strong enough to hold
a 2-year-old steer" To the indignant
comments of his brother cowboys he re-
turned good natured raillery. Cut off, as
it were, from civilization, the only speci-
mems Of femininity they ever saw were half
breed Mexican women, whose pretensions
to beauty were Of the slimmest possible
description. The presence Of girl at the
ranch, and especially "pooty" one, was
well calculated to arouse their curiosity.
KANT tell ye much about her." said
Shorty (he was 6 feet 2 in his stock
ing feet). "Her names Lizzie, an she's
got red hair, but she's the pootiest gal that
ever struck Lincoln county.
"Came up hyar lookin for her brother,
she says; heerd he was up in these parts
somewhat. Mrs. Wilson the wife Of the
owner Of the ranch) seemed to cotton tc
her, an asked her to stay with her awhile.
Reckon she's a-goin TO. Comes from Fort
Worth, she says"
Beyond few details of conversation
with the girl, which we strongly suspected
were exaggerated TO suit the occasion,
nothing more satisfactory could be CLEANED
from Shorty. Every one in the camp,
however, became possessed of a desire TO
get back to the ranch and see this prairie
paragon.
After a few days of rounding up, our
supply of coffee and -four got low, and
Bill Hunt was delegated TO go to the ranch
and secure a fresh stock. There were
many envious glances cast at Bill as he
mounted his horse and set out on a swift
gallop Bill was handsome fellow,
straight as the traditional arrow, piercing
black eyes and wavy black mustache.
Rumors of broken hearts he had left be-
hind in a little Texas town had reached
us, and we regarded him as lady killer"
of the greatest magnitude. He would see
the fair Lizzie, and the rest of US would
have no show at all.
Bill had been gone but a few hours
when the old man sent "Wild" Charley
back 70 the ranch to secure some papers
necessary to him in a coming deal in cat
tie. Charley was the antithesis of Bill.
Short in comparison with his brother
"puncher, he was decided blond, with
clear blue eyes and wavy hair. Rollick-
ing and jovial, always ready with song or
joke, he was the life of the outfit. His
daring feats of Craftsmanship and reckless
ness In the branding corral had gained
him his title of wild" There was more
speculation among the boys as TO which
would find favor in the fair LiZzie's eyes
the serious, handsome Bill or the joviaI
Charley. Their return was awaited with
some suppressed excitement.
Two days later they returned together.
Charley bubbling over with enthusiasm,
Bill quiet and dignifed, more so than ever.
TELL ye what, fellers, she's as poorly as
a red wagon" said Charley, by way OF
introduction, in speaking of the girl.
She's got the littlest foot / ever seen, and
cheeks like baby. Took a shine TO her
the fust thing an gave her an invite to go
10 the next bale (dance) at the Berendo.
"She's got as much sense as a locoed
horse" snorted Bill from the other side Of
the campfire. Don't know nothin but
how to giggle. an skeers at the sight OF
jack rabbit"
you're jealous. Bill, " was Charley's
laughing reply. "He didn't have no show
after / got there. found him out in the
dairy palaverin with her, an just Clipped
ia and raised him outen the game"
There was a general laugh at Bills Elk
pense in which he was forced TO join, but
fancied saw peculiar look in his black
eyes.
Weeks passed In the monotony Of round
ing up and finally we were ordered back
to the ranch to give the horses a few
weeks rest. Charley devoted all his spare
time to cultivating Lizzie's friendship,
and by virtue of his longer acquaintance
the field was left open TO him. The girl,
while not exactly justifying the lavish
encomiums bestowed by the advance cou-
riers, was not homely by any means.
There was, moreover, an air about her
which indicated that she had a will Of
her own.
Charley stood the badinage OF the boys
with good humor, and gave jest for jest.
Bill, however seemed TO take particular
delight In chatting Charley, and II was
plain there was an undercurrent of feeling
In his remarks. He tried several times TO
cultivate Lizzie's friendship, but IL was
plain TO be seen she preferred Charley.
This, as Charley would express 1t, "riled
Bill considerable" The blue eyed cow
boy stood the taunts of his handsome COM
rade for time with his usual pleasant
ness, but gradually IL became trihe an
noying and Charley's replies contained
more acid than sugar. An open rupture
was looked for at any time.
1t came at last. All but Charley were
gathered in the 'dobe adjoining the bic
ranch. We were discussing the roundup
and other matters pertaining TO cattle
life when the doc; opened and Charley en-
tered with a triumphant smile on his face.
IL was beautiful evening, and he had
been spending few hours with Lizzie.
"Reckon I've got you fellers whar the
hairs short, " said he, laughingly.
whats up now, Charleyi" asked.
"Well, I've gone and done it. Coin TO
marry Lizzie when the roundup's over
I've got few dollars in the boss hands
an with what's comm TO me, guess can
buy few head o. cattle and settle down.
Charley was duly congratulated and
some surprise was expressed at his precip
itancy. He explained that by saying he
wanted to head off any grazing on his
pasture" Some curious slsncss were cast
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