The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-12-12

we write. The cattle king and his family
fastened to bring out their costly furs,
close up their splendid residences, and
beta;e themselves to a milder cline
This man had paid visit to the home
ranch the last thing, giving Jeif's father
and the others strict orders to keep the
cattle on the range and see that the line
riders did their duty.
'Keep the herds moving; can't af-
ford heavy losses this season." was his
parting injunction; and Jeff, looking after
him as he rode away, muttered: eyes,
that's all We care;ye wouldn't turn round
ter save the lot from starv'n, only fer
yer own money pouch. Wonder how
yed like to be put on the range now, ter
pick yer own lven under two feet O.
snow, till warm whether again. amt
sure hut wish yer had ter"
At the home ranch they had brought
in about one hundred-or perhaps more
head of cattle, intending to feed them
the wild hay they had put up, until it was
gone; then of course they would have to
shift for themselves, as the thousands
beside must do from the first.
OTIS goin' ter be tough winter, !"
one of the cowboys had said, ''and we
may ez we'll keep up these choice uns fer
while,' and SO they did.
The horses were all turned loose to
live as best they might, excepting the
half dozen broncos, needed by the men
for riding over the range.
By Christmas, the hay intended for the
cattle was almost gone, and Jeff heard
his father say, "Theyll soon have ter
hustle for themselves.
A great blizzard came on, raging, with
relentless fury, for three days then the
sun came out and the mercury dropped
to 400 below zero
All this time the poor animals, in their
corral had tasted nothing but snow, and
their piteous believing and cries, fell on
Indifferent ears-save Jeffs.
The men had procured some liquor
Just before the storm began, and with
this and greasy pack of cards, they be-
guiled the time excepting when asleep.
When the sun came out, Jeff from the
top panel of the window, could catch
glimpses OF the suffering, wrthing mass
showing dark against the whiteness
everywhere despite their ice-covered
backs.
How he pitied them!
BEFORE noon the men were all stretched
out on their hard straw pallets in drunken
Slumber.
Poor Jeff, watching with tear dmmed
ey>s from the window, turned suddenly
and surveyed the sleepers.
"Thcv're done fer three good hours, )"
he muttcred at last, and if any I'm does
it ! must.
Then he piled logs on the fire, but.
toned his dirty Jacket about him, tied on
bit Of an old blanket that served him
for comforter, took up his ragged mlttenS
and passed quietly into the shed. This
place was used chiefly for storing fuel.
Near the roof was an opening, used in
summer for window, but in winter it
was boarded up.
Leaving the middle door aiar to admit
some light, Jeff hunted about until he
found shovel and axe and a pair Of
snow shoes. Then he paused, looking
doubttully at the boarded up window.
81 can't git out of the door, nor tother
Windows he muttered, $50 Ive got to
go through there"
The house was banked with snow,
nearly to the top of an ordinary window,
SO in order TO get start on the SNOW
shoes, he must get out above the snow;
but he had to be careful, for if one Of the
men should wake, his scheme would be
thWarted.
Alter two or three Intellectual efforts
he succeeded in climbing up on the wood,
ard gaining sufficient footing to enable
him 10 pry and pull at the boards. One,
to his relief, yielded at last, making an
opening sufficient for his slight form.
Securing the shoes, shovel and axe he
pushed them through the aperture, drag
cling himself after.
The next feat to be achieved was to
keep position there while he strapped
On the snow shoes, and this was no small
undertaking, considering the temper
allure; but jeff was a plucky little fellow,
used to hardships, and success finally
crowned his efforts.
The snow was banked to within a foot
of the opening, SO he had only to step
oF-when once he had the shoes on.
OF course he houndered little at first,
ont was soon skimming over the glitter
ing crust, carrying the tools with him.
On he went, the piteous cries of the
starving herd acting as a stimulus, and
in his anxiety to reach and help them, he
forgot the hardships ahead.
AT last he reached the shed containing
the horses. Poor creatures; their neigh
ings had been drowned by the storm and
the multitude of voices without.
The boarded side. of the shed had, in
a measure DrOteCte6 Them from the fI1ry