The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-03-03
BIDDY'S WAGER.

summer. but in the winter months the
whole duty of man was comprised in rid
ing the pastures and waiting for spring
A man good enough or lucky enough to be
retained through the winter was on vel
vet. OF ten men usually kept through,
two were sufficient to ride the pastures
and keep the fences in repair, and eight
could wait for spring.
There were other avocatiops, such rs
learning to fiddle. Rhine jerks worked
at that for years. The third season l asked
him If he could yet play any tunes. mot
yet" said he hopefully. "But can start
a few"
There was always some card playing,
there was some reading, and an occasional
trip to town. The youngsters did consid-
cradle letter writing to correspondents Sc
cured through n matrimonial paper known
on the range as The Giz2ard and Fist.
These various industries were ad libitum.
The one occupation which never pals on
the cowboy who has worked hard all sum-
mer and whose pay is going right on
through stormy weather is waiting for
spring
| The o. X. ranch lay in narrow and
| fertile valley, and about this time the en-
croachment of actual settlers began to per-
/ pick the owners and annoy the men. In
one season a great part of the valley had
been proempted, and where last year was
an unlimited open water front, with not
house in sight, it had become dotted with
settlers cabins and notices to keep off the
grass. Only eight miles below the ranch,
in bend of the river where we had many
a time held "a bunch of cattle while cutting
out, IA schoolhouse had been built When
settlers come to stay, the big cattle herds
have to move on. Schoolhouses are pretty
good evidences of permanent settlement.
This one opened for the first term in
charge of "a teacher imported for the posi-
ton from the States, and every man on
the ranch rode around that way to inspect
the fences. A bright eyed, fresh faced
| girl is Il pleasant sight to a man, whether
he be afoot or on horseback, and as she
stood In the door, with look of curiosity
| as to what manner of men were these
trooping by, any man in the company
would have given his boots for the right
to doif his hat and say Good morning"
After we had passed by Robert raised
the question whether he, as the old man of
the party, should not have done so. 81
don't think" he said, chat we showed
proper respect to the young lady to all go
by arlookinR out of the corner of our eye
and nary man saying word,
The boys laughed, but Robert was seri-
Gus.
Then Biddy offered him wager. "I'n
bet you that l geU a letter from that girl
before you do. "
"Biddy, you're fool,'' said Robert.
"That's. a sensible girl and you been so
locoed with them correspondents in The
Gizzard and Fist you don't know enough
to know you'll never get a letter from a
sensible girl. I'll take your bet and if
you don't get your letter in one month you
got to do my work all winter
"Done, " said Biddy.
On reflection Biddy would not have
offered such a wager. The beauty of Bid
dy's character was that his second thoughts
came so long after his first thoughts that
there was time for much action between.
In the matter of this bet he took action at
once by writing under an assumed name
to the teacher about three of his children
residing in another county and asking on
what terms they would be received into
her school, In due time his letter was
answered by the trustee to whom it had
been referred. He next wrote Miss Bell,
saying he understood she wished to buy a
saddle horse and might he bring one for
inspection. No answer to this. Finally
he tried what he could do at shorter range.
He secured an introduction to the lady,
met her several times, and presently his
second thoughts began to stir What
seemed to him easy enough on the day he
rode by the schoolhouse was now impos.
sible. He did not see how he could have
become involved in such an attempt He
heartily scorned himself. Riding home in
this mood, which he fancied showed rather
fine feeling, but which really arose from
f,,I,
to acknowledge hin a beaten, but Robert
was off to town ana Nd not show up agair
until after Christmas.
Robert, who had ridden by the school
house many times since the term began
had happened to read newspaper item
about custom in some foreign land OF
sending gifts TO the most beautiful lady
i suppose IL was Il fairy tale, for there new
er has been in any place any one mos
beautiful lady, but it struck Robert as al
emipently proper custom. He cut the
item out. He rode by the schoolhouse once
again to confirm his Judgment. He made
, his dispositions accordingly.
One morning the young teacher wa!
surprised to find at her door Roberts bes
horse, with saddle and bride, and note
saying that Robert sent them on the au
thority of the inclosed newspaper slip; thai
he really could use the horse no longer
too old-and would she do him the favor
to take the old swayback off his hands,
Miss Bell, who was learning to use
typewriter, sat down to the machine ant
wrote a note of thanks, declining the horse
as gift, but accepting the use of him fol
the winter, and assuring MIR. Robert tina,
she was not the lady referred to in thu
story.
Two days later Robert brought this let
ter into the messhouse while the boys wer,
at supper.
1--we beat you" said he to Biddy. 81
didn't want no letter, and / didn't expect
, none But here it is, and she thinks
can't read writing. It's printed
I "Why, that thing" said Scotty, sis NJ
letter. That's circular. She sends then
out to every fellow who gives her "A horse.
"Thats straight" said another. 81
hear she has a whole band of saddle horses
down in Johnsons pasture"
Boys, shut up" said Robert gently