The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1895-02-09

w HAIENER other accom-
plishmcnts or characteristics Simon
Early may have possessed his FREEDOM
inant qualities were excessive bashful-
ness and II very slender form, set off by
a pale, lemon-colored strip of fuzz on
his upper lip. He was in the employ
of Mcssrs. lloof & Tallow, of Windy
City, Il frontier town noted for its
briskncss and its numerous cyclones,
which, 1t was declared, turned the in
habitants over as often as n setting hen
is said to turn her eggs over. 1t was
seldom, however, that any fatalities
had to be reported, though many com
plants of being ''shucls up right
smart" might have been heard on vari-
Gus sides.
Mcssrs. lIoof & Tallow piled thrifty
business in buying up and shipping
out hides, bones, etc, products made
abundant by the cyclone, the blizzard
and the great, gaunt prairie wolves.
SIMON was fresh from the rural dis
tricts around Star Valley, Kan, from
which it was rumorcd that his folks
had been driven by force of dry
weather aud chinch-bugs. A few of
their former acquaintanccs, however,
declared that the tall, thin-visagcd be-
ing known us Simon's father had been
actuatcd in quitting his old place of
abode more on account OF the enforce
ment of the prohibitory law than for
any other reason, and had come to
live among cowboys and buffalo grass,
where more freedom of conscience was
permitted.
BE that as it may, the elder Early
had removed his family and belongings
to the more unrestricted town of Windy
City, where the diilident Simon had
secured position in his Uncle Hoofs
establishment.
In order to help Simon scrape off
some of the bashfulness for which he
was renowned his considerable uncle
and Mr.. Tallow frequently sent him
across the hillocls and hollows of buff
falo grass to outlying farmers and
ranchers to bargain for fresh supplies
of hides, bones, and anything in their
line.
1t was st. Valentines day, mild and
pleasant. But the good and much
enduring citizens of Windy City
were not an Misunderstanding people,
and it is doubtful if more than half
dozen of them could have told you why
the l4th of February was such n popu-
lar day with young folks.
Simon was one of that half-dozen.
He knew what Valentines day meant,
and it had been his intention to answer
an advertisement in newspaper where
he had read that two fancy, lace
a. 80 e..
ings might be purchased for five cents.
He didn't care for the money, and,
much as he would have liked sending
both of them to certain maiden over
on Tar creek, he lacked even the cour
age to write the manufacturers what
he wanted. They didn't keep valentines
for sale at any of the stores in Windy
City. But shutting whatever regrets
or longings he might have closely in
his heart, Simon mounted his broncho
and rode away across the prairie to en-
gage hides and bones for the firm.
lie blushed TO himself Us he thought
how much plcasanter it would he to
engage that certain maiden in sonversa-
ton, ii he only dared do it.
An unusually carly blizzard had
swept along Tar creek, killing n great
deal of stock for the ranchers. This
enabled the youth to reap a rich har-
vest in the peculiar wares of the firm.
Having bargained with some fellows
engaged in the bone-piclsing business
to deliver at an early day, Simon
started toward home, directing his
broncho by a cattle path that passed
the ranch of old Sandhill Hyde, one of
the first corners to Tar creek. The old