The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-21


schoolmaster was 10 board at the Nal
heur agency, and had come this way
round because the new superintendent
must so travel. They were scarcely
birds OF a feather, Drake and Bolles;
vet since one remote roof was 10 cover
them, the indoor man was glad this
boy host had won so much good will
from high and low. That the shrewd
old Vogel should trust so much in q
nincteen-year-old was proof enough at
least of his character; but when Brock,
,he foreman from Harper's, came for
them at Silver City. Ilolles witnessed
the affection that the rougher man held
for Drake. Brock shook the boys hand
with that curious quietness and absence
OF words which shows the western
heart is speaking. After n look at
DolIcs and a silent bestowing OF the
baggage aboard the team. he cracked
his long whip and the three ratified hap
pily away through the dips OF an open
country, where clear streams ran blue
beneath the winter air. They followed
the Jordan Cthat Idaho Jordan) west
toward Oregon and the Owyhce, Brock
often turning in his drivers seat SO as
TO speak with Drake. Then, in the
midst of his gossip. the thing he had
wanted TO say all along came out:
"We're pleased about your promotion
said he. and blushing, shook brakes
hand again.
Warmth kindled the boys face, and
next NTH n sudden severity, he said:
4 h N
The honest Brock looked blank, then
labored in his memory:
HAS the sorrel girl in Harvey mar
ried YOU yet?' said Drake. Brock
slapped his leg, and the horses jumped
at his mirth. He was mostly grave
mannered but when his boy superin-
tendent joled, he rejoiced with the
same pride that he took in all of brakes
eXcellences.
"The boys in this country will back
| YOU up" said ne next day; and Drake
| INQUIRED what news from the Malhear
agency?
"since the new Chinaman has been
| ,oolsing for them" said Brock, they
| have been peaceful as man could
| wish"
They'll all approve of me, then"
Drake answered. I'm feeding EN-
hyas Christmas muck-a-muck,"
And what may that be?" asked the
I schoolmaster.
"You no kumtux Chinook?" inquired
Drake. Travel with me and youll
learn all sorts of languages. IL means
Just a big feed. All whisky is barred"
he added to Brock.
Its the only way" said the fore
man. They've got those Pennsylvania
men up there" Drake had not en-
countered these.
"The three brothers Drinker," said
Brock. Full, Half-past Full and
Drunk. are what they call them. Them's
the names they've brought with them
from Klamath and Rogue River. sup
pose they kick about the whisky rule y
he suggested to Drake.
Cant help what they do. Oh, III
give each boy his turn in Harvey City
when he gets anxious. It's the whole
united lot don't propose to have cu'
up on me-"
A look of concern for the boy came
over the face of Foreman Brock. Sew
eral times again before their parting
did he thus look at his favorite. The,
paused at ITarper's for day To attent
TO some matters, and when Drake wa
leaving the place one OF the men sai'
TO him: wen stand by YOU" But from
E his bithe appearance and talk as tn
, slim boy journeyed TO the Malheu
River and Head Quarter Ranch, moth
iIg seemed TO be on his mind. Orogo
twinlled with sun and fine white snow
East Oregon, the Owyhee and the MAJ
heur Country, the old trails of Ger
: Crook, the willows by the streams, tn
open swales, the high woods wher
: once Buffalo Horn and Chief E-egant
ard Otis. the Medicine man, prospere
through this domain OF war an
=, memories went Bolles the schoolmastc
with Dean Drake and Brock. The thir
noon from Harper's they came leisure
ly down 10 the old Malheur agenc.
y where once the hostile Indians ha
!, drawn pictures on the door, and whei
Castle Rock frowncd down, uncbanget
: 81 wish was going 10 stay here wit
. YOU" said Brock to Drake. by Ii
: dian Creek you can send word 10 n
quicker than we've come"
, "Why, you're on old bat!" said "
boy TO his foreman, and clapped hi
farewell on the shoulder.
. The young superintendent set at ON
10 ranch work this afternoon OF Brock
y leaving; and the buccaroos made his a
quaintance one by one. and stared
him. Nillainy did not sit outward
= upon their faces; they were not villain
y but they stared at the boy sent 10 60
), :, troll them, aud they spoke togeth'
laughing. Drake took the head OF q
y table AZ supper, with Bolles on his rigl
, Down the table some silence, some STA
" ing. much laughing went ou; the ric
' brute laugh OF the belly untroubled
the brain. Sam, the Chinamnn. rap
= and noiseless. served the dishes.
hat ia IL % said buccaroo.