Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-21

wv gray pony ne roQe
seemed to share in his detection man
and beast looked as though life had
used them ill, and turned to them
only its harshest side.
Clark Sargent was manager of the
Rita Blanca, which was owned by An
English couipn~,. I. - = uioa.i,
we'll run, closely managed concern,
and very unpromising place for
shirks, sweaters or loafers of any sort.
CLARK himself was sitting on the
porch as this forlorn-looking pair
came up.
NO." he said in reply to a request
for work, ''we're not taking on any
hands now" Then, as he noted the
look of abject despair that settled
upon the thin face, "get down and
rest and have some dinner. You look
sick"
"No, amt SICK" was the answer
hastily and anxiously given. II hain't
been sick. I'm jest tired an hungry.
/ been ridin' all day"
Clark had just come in from where
all the headquarters hands, including
the cook (for your genuine ranch
cook is always rider, too, and quite
as liable as not to be the best broncho
buster and handler of cattle in the
force) were gathering two-year -olds
for shipment, and there was no one at
the ranch house but himself.
As he set out some cold grub and
put the coffee pot on the stove he
glanced at the man from time to time.
Something in the meager form-thst
looked like boys only because it
was pot strong and well-nourished
enoug gh for man's-touched his sym
,pathies.
"Why, you are not able to do a
cowboys work." he said, speaking
almost sharply, becsnse he was annoyed
with himself for feeling inclined 20
employ the poor fellow against his
business instincts and for PHYS sack
alone.
20, yes, I am, sir. I'm heap
ADLER than what look. I'm used to
it. I been out in more northers, an
worked to stop more stampedes than
I've got fingers an toes | can stand
anything. if I c'u'd jest git stiddy
lob. | been out of work-ain't had
no stiddy job for six months; that's
what's used me up 80.
The end of it was that Clark put
Thompson-or Lefty, the sobrique
his lefthandedness had earned for him
in the free and easy style OF the plains
where q mans conspicuous feature oi
trait dubs him on the force; and ht
was started out on regular range worl
the next morning.
There was no complaint from tint
boss OF any lack of ability, capacity
or energy on Lefty's part; and no re
marks of any kind from Lefty himself
He seemed only too well satisfied, an(
most anxious TO please.
But one morning, when Clark wa
riding across the Minneoss pasture, h'
saw one of his cowboys dismounte'
and sitting on the ground beside hi
pony, which was graz ng. AS tn
figure remained motionless, he rod
nearer to see what was the matter, an
recognized in the crouched form, wit
it's head on his knees, Lefty.
He called to him by name. Left
raised his face, wlping his mouth fu'
lively.
T git little dizzy, sometimes, b
said appealingly, when l ride rigf
hard; 1 amt hurt, Mr.. Sargent;
amt sick"
, "Good God, boy" said Clark, lool
= ing at the blood spatters on the brow
D plains grass, and on the shirt frol
q which the other WAS trying vainly
a covor with that trembling left hant
= you've had hemorrhagel Go rigt
up to the house as soon as you can. "
Lefty staggered to his feet, an
! stood olinging to bis saddle horn, in