Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-08-19
II SO, let him come forward w,tbor.


A hush fell upon the audience
Would anyone be SO foolhardy as 70
back that devil after the best riders
had failed?
Presently there was a stir at the far
end of the grand stand, a moving aside
to let someone pass. All eyes turned
eagerly that way to see bright-eyad
rosy-cheeked girl step down from tho
tiers of seats. She was attended bv q
middle-aged man.
"Who is it? Who is it," whsnered
hundreds at once, and hundreds more
answered, "Why, that's Nellie Mitchell,
and her father. They live in Lonesome
valley"
Broncho Charley dismounted quickly
and came forward. Good evening"
he said, raising his hat politely to Nell,
and her father. rs there anything 7,
can do for your
why" answered Nell, with many
bushes, II have come to ride that,
horse"
WHAT" exclaimed Charley, starting
back in establishment. ride that
horse? l could not think of letting Won
do such n thing; why, you would be,
killed" I
mo, don't think would. Just Let
me try him.
Yes, give her a trial. spoke IN
Mitchell. ''She knows what she is
about"
BY this time the crowd was crazy,
with curiosity to know what was I'D.
But when they saw Bill coming with
the side-saddle EXPLANATIONS of. indig.
nation, wonder, protest and approval
swept over the vast throng.
Again Broncho Charley urged the,
danger, protested and pleaded But
when he saw that Mitchell remained
firm he gave in and walked away, con-
Guiding that both the man and his
daughter must be locoed.
With deal Of coaxing and whistlins
Black Wolf was caught again. But his
anger was thoroughly reused. He
looked wildly about him, paved the
ground and reared.
1t was at least quarter of an hour
before Bill could pacify him sufficiently
to get Nelrs saddle cinched in place.
And now, as the horse was led, snort.
ing and plunging, to the center of the
ring Nell and her father came forward,
Scarcely person in the audience
moved muscle as Nell began talking
in soothing tones to the horse; every
one feared to draw long breath when
she toop lump of sugar from her
pocket and called, "Come, now, Wolfy,
poor boy; come and get your sugar"
The horse stood a moment watching
her intently. His ears moved uneasily.
He recognized that voice-knew his
young mistress. With glad neigh. he
walked up and whinnied his thanks as
he took the lump from her hand.
Spor old horse" she said, patting
his muzzle, while he rubbed his head
against her; did they treat you meant
Now, come! let's take a walk"
SO saying, Nell threw the reins over
his neck and went over to the fence,
while the great brute came trotting
along, first on one side and then on the
other, as though he were little dog.
Mounting to the top rail, Nell called:
'Come, Wolfy; come up here like
good horse and let me take ride
Up pranced Black Wolf, but with
the wrong side to the fence. "Ah.
now,' she said, slapping him, have
you forgotten!' Instantly the obedi-
ent animal wheeled about and Nell
quickly seated herself in the saddle.
Then with Go on, old fellow" the
horse bowed his neck and cantered
gayly up in front Of the grand stand
amid the widest enthusiasm and the
cries of ARIZONA is ahead yet! Hur-
rah for Lonesome Valley" and every
body took up the cry, "Three cheers
for Lonesome Valleyw
Promptly Broncho Charley rode to
the front. His head was uncovered
and he had a white envelope in his
hand.
The confusion ceased. Then, turning
; to Nell, he said, simply: "Miss MITCHELL
let me congratulate you on doing what
the best horsemen in the West have
failed to do. Please accept this check:
you have won it fairly and you richly
deserve it,"
''And now, Miss Nellie" spoke out
Bill Zant, coming forward, Il have q
word I want to say just here. aint
much on making pretty speeches or
anything of that sort, but / want to
tell you that when Jack Mitchell sold
this horse to me he made big mis-
take. And I'm just naturally going 10
undo the mistake right here. MISS
Nellie. 1 make you a present OF the
horseback Wolf is yours"
And as Nell rode out through the
gate the Mexican waved his hand fee
bly, from the blanket where he lay.
Bravo. Scnorital. Bravo"'-Ncw or'
leans Times-Democrat.