The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-15
BIDDY's WAGER.

coald wait for spring.
There were other avocations, such a
learning to fiddle. Rhine jerks WORKED
at that for years. The third season asket
him II he could yet play any tunes "No
yet, said he hopefully. "But can star
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 90
cured through 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 sRm.
mer and whose pay, Is going right on
through stormy weather ID waiting fol-
spring
The o. X. ranch lay in a narrow and
fertile valley, and about this time the on
croachmcnt of actual settlers began to per-
pick the owners and annoy the men. In
one season a great part of the valley had
been prompted, and where last year was
an unlimited open water front, with not a
house in sight, 1T 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
time held 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 tho first term In
charge of teacher imported for the posi-
ton from the States, and every man on
the ranch rode around that way to inspect
tho fences. A bright eyed, fresh faced
girl Is pleasant sight to man. whether
he be afoot or on horseback, and as sbo
stood in the door, with look Of curiosity
as 10 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 morning."
After we had passed by Robert 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 go
by a-looking out Of the corner Of our oye
and nary man saying word"
The boys laughed, but Robert was ser.
Gus.
Then Biddy offered him wager. am
bet you that l get letter from that girl
before you do
"Biddy, you're fool" said Robert.
THAT'S sensible girl, and you been so
locoed with them correspondents In The
GizEard ard Fist you don't know enough
to know you'll never get letter from
sensible girl. III take your bet, and II
you don't get yourletter in ono month you
got to do ny work all winter"
Done" said Biddy
On reflection Bddy would not have
off such wager. The beauty of Bid,
dy' was that his second thoughts
CALI ar after his first thoughts that
thoit g-s lime for much action between.
IN the matter of this bet he took action ut
once by writing under an assumed namo
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 be understood she wished to buy
saddle horse and might he bring one fol
inspection. No answer to this Finally
he tried what ho could do Mt 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 Oh the day he
rodo by the sohoolhouse was now impos
sible. He did not see how he could have
become involved in such all attempt IIu
heartily scorned himself. Riding home in
this mood, which 10 fancied showed rather
fine feeling, but which really arose from
conscious failure, Biddy looked up Robert
to acknowledge himself beaten, but Robert
was off TO town and did not show up again
until after Christmas.
Robert, who had ridden by tho school
house many times since the term hegnn.
had happened to read newspaper item
about a custom in some foreign land of
sending gifts 10 the most beautiful lady.
! suppose it was fairy tale for there nev.
er has been in any place any one most
beautiful lady, but 1t struck Robert as an
cmincntly proper custom. lie cut tho
item out. He rode by tho schoolhougc once
again to confirm his judgment. Ile made
his dispositions accordingly.
One Torning the young teacher was
surprised to lAd at her door Roberts best
horse, with saddle and bride, and q motto
saying that Robert sent them on tie nu.
thority of the inclosCd newspaper slip; that
no really could use the horse no longer
too old-and would she do him the favor
to take the old swayback of his hands?
Miss Bell, who was learning to use n
Typewriter, sat down TO tho machine and
wrote motto of thanks, declining tho horse
as gift, hut accepting tho use Of him for
the winter and assuring Mr.. Robert that
she was not the lady referred to in the
story.
Two days later Robert brought this let.
ter into tho mcsshouEe whilo tie BOYS were
at supper
1--we Leaf you,' said he to Biddy. IT
didn't want no letter, and didn't expect
none. But hero it is, and She thinks
can't read writing. It's printed"
"Why, that thing" said Sootty, ais no
2ettor. That's circular. She sends them
out to every fellow who gives hcra horse"
"That's straight" said another. II
hear she lIos a whole band of saddle horseg
down in johnson s pasture"
Boys, shut up" snid Robert gently.
IN leave IL to the foreman whether |
win
Tho foreman decided that printed COM
municat!on Is not letter, and that as
Biddy had received no letter both had lost
Ole wager.
That night the boys considered the NIT
ter over their pipes and rendered the
unanimous opinion that betting is i'm
moral when you lose, and that Robert and
Biddy, having both lost, should ride tho
pastures all winter while tho rest OF us
waited for spring. q. b Dunham In
ArgOnRnt