The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-05
THE WRONG MAN.


sourian, whose bony frame had been built
from the limestone waters of his native
state, was still the partisan and protector
of the sappy youngster from northern Yer
mont.
"You are Canadian pony and I am a
Ham bletonian,' - said Robert. but if we
like to trot together guess the other bosses
of this range will have to take our dust. -
The friendship between these two men
was founded on com Elementary qualities,
and only a woman could break it. The
woman in this instance was Miss Bell the
schoolteacher at the Bend.
The burned child breads the fire, but
bird will return and again dash into the
flames. Roberts encounter with the fair
fence cutter was like flame to the bird. He
sought an introduction and forthwith be-
came a sutton for her hand. Biddy, the
only one in camp who took it upon him
self to criticise any act of Roberts, remon-
strated with him.
"You are bird, aren't you?'' said he.
''The girl mesmerized you once. She'll
bamboozle you for twice and bounce you
for three times. What do you mean to do?"
81 mean to marry her if she will have
me- replied Robert simply. Eyes, I
know told you plenty times that cow
boy had no business to marry, and that
right, but I'm an exception. don't know
how and don't know why, but know
I'm hit hard. I've got to have her"
So Robert, big, hulking, 40 years old,
was in love for the first time in his whole
life. If force and earnestness avail, he
should win.
Less forcefu1, less earnest, half as old,
Biddy was in the same plight. His advice
to Robert to let the girl alone was in good
faith. He thought it the best thing-for
Robert-but he had bad case of ''physi-
clan, heal thyself" upon his hands. He,
too, was resolved to win and marry Miss
Bell. He did not say SO to Robert, so hard
is it for most men to be open in love af-
fair, and for time Robert knew nothing
of it. Every one else saw it. and Scotty
told Biddy he had better stand from under.
eff you lock horns with Robert, said
he, "heu get you down and walk all over
your frame" And Scotty added some re-
Elections on the law of supply and de-
mand. eff there were 20 schoolma ans
round here, you would not look at ono of
them, but because there is only one you
are fixing to get your skin so plumb full of
bullet holes that the wind won t whistle as
it blows through
Biddy laughed and went his way to call
upon Miss Bell and urge his suit
And Robert went his way-which was
the same way-upon the same errand.
do not know whether Miss Bell gave
to either man any manner Of encoura ge-
ment, but as the dead shot is said to add
notch to the. marks on his pistol grip for
each man he drops, so it is supposable that
about this time this young lady increased
her list of rejected suitOrs by the names
of these two cowboys.
1t was done in her kindest manner, this
rejection, and she had said to each: 81 am
sorry this has occurred, but since you have
SO honored me, you must come to my we'd
ding. I am to be married next month in
the church at Hammond. I shall really
feel it if you do not come.
And each man had TrOTpice7 IN Ha there
1t had come to Roberts notice before
this time that Biddy was his rival, but
with the hope and intention of success
strong within him he had been affected
differently from Scotty s forecast. He went
straight to Biddy and told him TO Ego in
and win if you can. I don't want the girl
unless I can get her fair and hold her
against all Corners" But when both had
been refused, each man thought the other
was accepted, and each waited for the 9TH
er to breach the subject.
1t was a difficult time. There were
dark looks, but no explosion. They avoid
ed each other, and this little cloud, no big
ger than a woman's hand, seemed about
to cover the whole sky. Biddy asked for
leave of absence and got it. They did not
meet again until the wedding day.
That day found Biddy still storming at
fate, but Robert, who had a simpler and
stronger nature, had put his own disap-
forward with pride, if not pleasure, to his
friends happiness.
What follows is in Roberts words:
ST got there early and took a seat in the
back part of the church. I wanted to be
where could get out if my nerve failed
me. Many people came in, and at last the
bride, looking very beautiful came out
from side door with three men and stood
up in front And I was proud for Biddy
that he was going to have such fine wife
But I couldn't see him anywhere, and the
preacher said any man having an impedi-
ment was to step forward.
''Then looked for Biddy, but he didn't
come. had never before been at we'd
ding in church, and I thought maybe it
was the way to keep him corralled in the
little room until the last moment for fear
he would go back on to the old range.
The preacher went on saying things, and
I didn't pay close attention, because was
thinking how pretty she looked, until
bold man in a Hereford shirt and low neck
ed vest took her hand, and the preacher
said, i pronounce you man and WIFE
Then jumped up wild. Great Scott,
I yelled, that's the wrong mani
cat that instant somebody clapped a
hand over my mouth and hustled me out of
the church.
50 If you don't want to get shut up for
drunk and disOrderly,' said Biddy, for he
it was who dragged me out, stop that
racket
What's up?' I said soon as could get
my breath. Why aren't you in there get
ting marrieds'
50 1 am not in there getting married.
said Biddy, because she wouldn t have me.
I thought you were to marry her today
50 What Me?' saidI. I never was with
in a thousand miles of it.
Why didn't you say so, old manP ask
ed Biddy.
Say so yourself said L You we're
dumb as an oyster
'Then we both laughed, and while the
folks inside were crowding up to the front