Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-06-11


emblem. In the fields and in the streets
rose the same hum of human industry.
Down the dusty highroads defiled long
streams of heavily laden mules, all head
ing 10 the west, for the gold fever had
broken out in California. and the over
land route lay through the city Of the
elect There, too, were droves OF sheep
and bdlocks coming III from the outly-
ing pasture lands and trains Of tired i'm
migrants, men and horses equally
weary OF their interminable journey.
Through all this motley assemblage,
threading her way with the skill of an
accomplished rider, there galloped Lucy
Ferrier, her fair face flushed with the
exercise and her long chestnut hair float
ing out behind her She had commits
sion from her father in the city and was
dashing in as she had done many u time
before with oil the fearlessness of youth,
thinking only Of her task and how IL
was to be performed. The travel stained
adventurers gazed after her in astOnish.
ment, and even the Unconditional Indians,
journeying in with their peltry, relaxed
their accustomed stoicism as they mar
veled at the beauty Of the pale faced
maiden.
She had reached the outskirts of tho
rity when she found the road blocked by
q great drove OF cattle, driven by half
dozen wild looking herdsmen from the
plains. In her impatienco she endeav-
ored TO pass this obstacle by pushing her
horse into what appeared 10 be gap.
Scarcely had she got fairly into it, how
ever, before the beasts closed in behind
her. and she found herself completely
imbodded in tho moving stream OF fierce
eyed. long horned bullocks. Accustomed
as she was to deal with cattle, she was
not alarmed at the situation, but took
advantage Of every opportunity TO urge
her horse on in the hope Of pushing her
way through tho cavalcade. Unfortu.
nately the horns Of one of the creatures,
either by accident or design, came in
violent contact with the flank OF the
mustang and excited il 10 madness. In
an instant il reared up upon Its hind
legs, with a snort Of rage aud, pranced
and tossed In way that would have M
seated any but most skillful rider The
situation was full Of peril. Every
plunge II the excited horse brought II
against the horns again and goaded 1t
70 fresh madness. lt was all that the
rirl could do 10 keep herself IN the sad
die, yet slip would mean terrible
death under the hoof Of the unwieldy
and terrified animal. Unaccustomed 10
sudden emergencies, her head began TO
swim and her grip upon the bride
TO relax. Choked by the rising cloud
of dust and by the steam from the strug-
Cling creatures, she might have aban-
doned her efforts in despair but for
kindly voice at her elbow which assured
her Of assistance. At the same moment
sinewy brown hand caught the fright
ened horse by the curb, and, forcing
way through the drove, soon brought
her TO the outskirts.
You re not hurt, hope, miss?" said
her preserver respectfully.
She looked up at his dark, terco face
and laughed saucily. "I'm awful fright
ened," she said naiyely. Whoever
would have thought that Poncho would
have been so scared by lot Of cows:'
Thank God you kept your seat, " the
other said earnestly He was tall, say
age looking young fellow, mounted on
powerful roam horse and clad in the
rough dress of a hunter, with long rifle
slung over his shoulders. II guess you
are tho daughter of John Ferrier, he
remarked. II saw you ride down from
his house. When you sec him, ask him
if he remembers the jefferson Hopes of
st Louis. If he's the same Ferrier, my
father and he were pretty thick. "
"Hadn'S you better come and ask
yourself?" she asked demurely.
The young fellow seemed pleased at
the suggestion, and his dark eyes spar
kled with pleasure. "I'I do SO, y he
said. We've been in the mountains for
two months and are not over and above
in visiting condition. He must take rs
as he finds Us.
'.He has a good deal to thank you for,
and 80 have l." she answered. Hes
awful fond of me- II those cows had
jumped OH me, he'd have never got over
it."
Neither would I, said her compan
ion.
"You? Well, / don't see that it would
make much matter to you anyhow.
You amt even friond of ours "
The young hunters dark face grew so
gloomy over this remark that Lucy
Ferrier laughed aloud.
"There, didn't mean that, " she said.
"Of course you are friend now. You
must come and see us. Now must push
along, or father won't trust me with
his business any more. Goodby.
"Goodby," he answered, raising his
broad sombrero and bending over her
little hand. She wheeled her mustang
round, gave it cut with her riding
whip and darted away down the broad
road in rolling cloud Of dust.
Young Jefferson Hope rode on with
his companions, gloomy and taciturn.
He and they had been among the Nevada
mountains prospecting for silver and
werc returning to Salt Lake City in the
hope of raising capital enough to work
soma lodes which they had discovered.
He lad been as keen as any Of them up
on the business until this sudden Incl.
dent had drawn his thoughts into an
other channel. The sight Of tie fair
young girl, as frank and wholesome as
the Sierra breezes, had stirred his vol
canic, untamed heart to its very depths.