The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-25

whole duty OF man was comprised In rid
ing the pastures and waiting for spring.
A man good enough or lucky enough to be
STAINED through the winter was on vel
vet or ten men usually kept through,
bwo we're sufficient to ride the pastures
and keep the fences In repair, and eight
could wait for spring.
There were other avocations, such az
to fiddle Rime jerks worked
ut that for years. The third season asked
him If he could yet play any tunes. mot
yet" said he hopefully "But / can start
q few
There was always some card playing,
there was some reading, and an occasional
trip to town. The youngsters did oonsid-
erable letter writing to correspondents Sc
cured through a matrimonial paper known
on the range as The Gizzard 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-
plex the owners and annoy the men. In
one season a great part Of the valley had
been pre-empted, and where last year was
an unlimited open water front, with not
house In sight, IL 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, 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 q teacher imported for the posi-
tion from the States, and every man on
the ranch rode around that way to inspect
the fences. A bright eyed, fresh faced
girl is pleasant sight to Q man, whether
he be afoot or on horseback and as she
stood In the door, with a 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 doff his hat and say "Good norning."
After we had passed by Rs3ert raised
the question whether he, as the old man OF
the party, should not have done so II
don't think" he said, "that We showed
proper respect to the young lady to all 60
by a-looking out of the corner Of our eye
and nary man saying word.
The boys laughed, but Robert was seri-
Gus.
Then Biddy offered him a wager. "I'l
bot you that get a letter from that girl
before you do"
"Biddy, you're a 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 letter from
sensible girl. I'll take your bet and II
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 wager. The beauty Of Bid
dy g 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 tn whom 1t had
been referred. He next wrote Miss Bell,
saying he understood she wished to buy
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 be
rode by the schoolhouse was now impoa-
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
conscious failure, Biddy looked up Robert
to acknowledge himself beaten, but Robert
was of to town and did not show up again
until after Christmas
Robert, who had ridden by the school
house many times since the term began,
had happened TO read a newspaper item
about custom in some foreign land Of
sending gifts TO the most beautiful lady.
suppose IL was fairy tale, for there new
or has been in any place any one most
beautiful lady, but it struck Robert as an
eminently 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 was
surprised to find at her door Roberts best
horse, with saddle and bride, and a note
mying that Robert sent them on the au.
thority of the inclosed newspaper slip; that
he really could use the horse no longer
TOO old-and would she do him the favor
to take the old sway back of his hands?
Miss Bell, who was learning to use a
typewriter, sat down TO the machine and
wrote note of thanks, declining the horse
as gift, but accepting the use of him for
the winter, and assuring Mr. Robert that
abe was not the lady referred TO in the
story. ;-a 81 ~ "
Two days later Robert brought this let
ter into the messhouse while the boys were
ut supper.
i've koat you, said he to Biddy. 81
didn't want no letter, and didn't expect
none But here 1t is, and she thinks I
caD't read writing It's printed"
why, that thing" said Scotty, "is no
letter. That's circular. She sends them
out TO every fellow who gives hera horse. -
"Thnt's straight" said another. IL
hear she has n whole band of saddle horses
down In Johnson's pasture.
Boys, shut up" said Robert gently.
ON leave IL to the foreman whether 1
Win.n