The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-05-29

gulcl Increased. mar tlidt bS'oie iitAes
found no barber in the wilderness, now
made the acquaintance of the shearsi
clothes which had never before given
their owner any anxiety, now became
the objects of critical inspection, ana
boots and bandana handkerchiefs re-
eeiyed equally careful attention. And
what thrills of delight were expert
enced by the owners of "stos clothes
of the Sunday-go-meetin' style, reiles
of San Francisco civilization The part
ners were among this lucky number,
but neither rested on his laurels.
The express agent had closed his
books for the day, and was balancing
them in his usual easy manner, cash
book In one hand and report book in the
other, when he was interrupted. Jim
Bowloe leaned upon the counter, hold
ing in his hand a soiled copy of San
Francisco newspaper. Il want yeh TO
help me out" he said, in answer to the
agents look of inquiry. A low-voiced
conference followed Together they ex-
amined the advertising columns of the
/ Alta.
"Fo'ty-fve dollars, did yeh say?" said
Jim.
"Forty-fve dollars
"'Pears to me that's steep-purty
steep, but | amt the man ter kick about
trifes Here's yer money. Git il start
ed as soon rs yeh can" The agent
smiled softly, while Boloe trudged away
in the darkness.
Strange happenings, like calamities,
often come not singly. 1t was the very
next evening, and the express agent
was engaged in hopeless effort to
make every dollar in the cash drawer
balance two in his accounts, when he
glanced up and found Bobby Henderson
attentiyely regarding him over the
counter. lie, too, was confidential,
and he, too, had copy of San Fran
cisco paper. There was a whispered
conference.
"Forty-fve dollars" said Henderson.
"Ain't that rather high?"
"Oh, no." answered the agent, smil-
inbly; "sueh things don't grow on every
mesquite bush"
WELL" said Henderson, this amt a
question of dobes, so here's your dust.
The next stage brought two packages
to the camp that were exactly alike,
outwardly. One was addressed to
Bowloe and the other TO Henderson.
1t was the evening of day not long
before Thanksgiving. and jim Bowloe
was preparing to take his departure
from the higgins parlor. He hesitated
for n moment as he arose, and Miss
higgins smiled encouragingly.
"Of course, Miss higgins, you'll be
down at the big time Thursday night
an I'll feel most oncommonly obleeged
If you'll let me have the pleasure oil
SEEM you down thar an back. I'll fiS
up so won't be any disgrace ter you
And Bowloe threw back his shoulders
and looked down at himself admiring.
~.
To this Miss higgins, smiling sweet
~, and holding open the door, replied:
"I'l be ready to GO down not later thar
eight o'clock
The next evening Henderson stood
ON the doorstep, twirling his hat. Miss
higgins regarded him with pleasant
look of inquiry.
Miss higgins" said he, II know
amt equal to the occasion, but neither's
nary other man in the gulch. But
reckon you'll want to see the dance
an if you need Teller TO kind O. pint
out the way, it'll be great JOY ter me to
be the favored man. An I'll fix up as
much for the occasion as Californy will
allow"
Miss higgins was llind-hearted. She
looked at the face of the young man
before her, and then said simply and
sweetly: I'm be ready at eight
o'clock"
1t was supper time in the gulch. The
express agent leaned idly against the
stump of the big pine that used to mark
the bend in the canyon and, with IN eX-
preston of amusement curling his lips
regarded 'Cencion, who stood before
him with her black eyes flashing.
1T will be a good joke" he said, land
that is the reason | spoke of ii to you,
Tor am of your opinion that Jim needs
taking down little. But you'd better
take both outfits, for neither of them
knows what the other has done, and
if either lost his layout and then saw
the other arrayed in purple and fine
linen-well, there would be trouble and
funeral, to say the least"
alt is well,' said the girl, and dis
appeared among the growing shadows,
The express agent gazed after her
departing form curiously. IF she
could write" he murmured, reflective
ly, there is one word she would GER
tainly begin with capital letter. And
that is Revenge
The candles sputtered bravely that
night in front of the tin retlectors, the
lone fiddler played with all the lervor
the occasion demanded and the floor
creaked and groaned under the grand
march, but neither Bowloe nor Heuder-
son saw the opening of the grand ball.
The partners did not arrive at the
cabin on the hillside at the same time
after supper. Bowloe, with thoughts
of neckties of flaming hues, white col
lars of wonderful heights and stiffness,
and shirts upon the fronts of which
were pictured all the flowers of the
field, arrived home early. 1t is not
known Just what his feelings were when
he comprehended the situation, but the
opinion prevailed in the camp that by
not being present it lost the effect of
the most expressive and artistic burst
OF profanity ever uttered in the noun
tsins. Jealousy fathers distrust, and
Bowloe searched his partners room,