Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-07-02
AN OKLAHOMA GIRL.
A TRUE STORY.


girl, with quick step and happy laugh, wa
Nora Mahoney She was ever loyal to he
friends, but any one unfortunate enough to III
cur her enmity sure to feel the force o
cutting sarcasm and bitter innueudo.
Her parents had emigrated to America il
their youth, but retained much of the speecl
and maune1s Of thciI native land.
Nora spoke but litte of herself, but accord
ing to the estimate made by her friends, he
accomplishments were varied The hngtr
that could draw the trigger and take unerrns
aim or, pressing on the btidle- reins, fearlessy
guide the hrest horse across the broad praries
would take the needle and catch up new fancy
in embroidery and execute it with delicate
touch
Summer after summer did Nora have charge
of a herd of fine cattle belonging to her father,
and no drove was slceker or better cared foi
than hers.
She would have received with scorn any sug-
eestion OF pity account of her labors
throughout the summer months, and certainly,
to her life on her fleet pony, when she learned
TO enjoy the genial sunshine, and to encounter
the storms of southern cline, did she owe
much of her exrberant health and spirits.
Leaving her charges grazing quietly, she
would, almost daily, seek her, friend, Maggie
Green whose herd was usually found pasturing
near her own, for quiet hours chat.
But her intercourse with all her neighbors
was not so harmonious as with Maggie,
Patrick Rial, who was III the employ of a
Mr. Peters, was a notable example, and when
he WOULD drive his herd, as he frequently did,
onto what Nora considered HER grounds, war
of words always ensued. At length, the girl
determined to endure .his no longer.
One gloomy day in the early autumn, when
the east wind and low hanging clouds gave
promise Of rain, Pat appeared on the scene,
drove his herd within an eighth of a mile OF
the girls then disnounted. He first adjusted
the bride, then turned his horse-a spirited
animal known as "Black Nick''-loose to Craze
at will.
Then Pat threw himself on the grass under
small cottonwood that grew by the draw, and
was soon fast asleep.
-O>'>
slowly around on their ponies.
At last, Black Nick approached temptingly
near, and Nora dsmounted, and, with some
difficulty, succeeded in getting firm hold on
his bride. Then, with much quiet laughter,
the girls loosened the rubber coat which W.
rolled and strapped, cowboy fashion, behind
PATS saddle. Taking the leather strap from
his halter, they fastened one end of it to the
saddle, the other to one corner of the coat.
A light touch of the whip now, and Black
Nick gave sudden spring forward. The coat
was raised on high, then descended, striking
the side and limbs of the already frightened
animal, then whzzed through the air, prepara-
tory to another descent, Black Nick was fran
tic He reared plunged, then, with red eyes
and distended nostris, he bent his body to more
vigorous effort, while his small feet seemed
scarcely to tonch the grassy surface beneath
him.
Pat Rial started to his feet to see his flying
steed disappearing over knoll, his frightened
cattle scattering in every direction. He stood
still in open-mouthed astonishment until he
heard merry, inocking laugh not far distant
His face became purple with rage.
"Howld yer tonguds, yez murtherin' spal-
peens; but rcollict, Oi'l get aven wild yez
yet!" he shouted.
Then away he flew, his long limbs carrying
his awkward body over the prairie with rap
idity that surprised the laughing girls. But