The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-02-11

rickety cid typestand containing q hai1-
dozen cases of type. On the other SIDE
stood an cd army press. while IN fiIe
cenreY there was a uncovered Good5
box which answered in the place OF an
imposing stone. Up at the end ofthe
room was small table at which was
seated q woman.
The woman's elbow rested on the
table, and her face lay between her
hands. She was sitting directly in
front of the window, apparently look
ing straight at it, SO the cowboys had
good, square view Of her f<ctures.
They saw that she was ing and
pretty. not much more tina. child,
and very sad. There was deeply
troubled expression on her face, and
once they saw her brush tears from
her eyes.
"The editors wife or daughter, |
reckon" one of the cowboys whis-
pered
Guess So" one of the others replied;
land like as not the old whelps been
abusing her"
I'm going in and talk to her" the
first speaker announced. You chaps
wait outside till | come back
"A good idea" another agreed. I'VE
| want to see a little more into this busl-
ness before we 90 anything rash.
The cowboy walked around to the
door ard entered the office. He passed
across the floor, and stopped just be-
fore the little table at which the wom-
an was sitting. lie took off his hat,
made an awkward bow, and said:
Coed evening, lady. | hope | find
you we'll"
Il am quite well, thank you. Is
there anything can do for you?'
well, don't know. [ reckon may
be I'd like to see the editor Of this
paper"
81 am the editor"
"Well, but l want to see the man
your father, or husband, or whoever
he is
There is no man here l am all
a.one."
'You don't mean to say that you are
running this paper all by YOURSELF"
Lee, Sli SACSpt III tuC ilSiP VI q
boy. who manages the press for me-"
The cowboy wl;::stled, then stood
staring at the woman in amazement.
At last he calculated:
''Well, if that don't stump me! y
woman running paper all alone, with
TO men folks to help her! Gee, but it
must be lots of hard work."
at is, but | don't mind that. I'd be
wiling to work night and day if |
could just manage some way to keep
the paper going"
"Youre not figuring to stop it, are
you?"
Eyes, I'll have to stop it. l can't get
enough money to buy any more paper.
My mother is sick, and have to buy
medicine and things for her. Poor
mother! don't know how l shall pro-
vide for you now
The girls voice trembled, and her
eyes filled with tears. The cowboy
looked on a moment, then paced rap
idly two or three times across the
room. Finally he said:
"1On wait here for me. I'll be back
in few minutes"
He hurried out to his companions.
who were waiting at the door. He
drew them away to a safe distance
from the office, and then told them all
he had discovered. They heard him to
the end.
80 that woman" one of them said,
wrote that piece abost Ryan"
"She did,
"Then if we kick up fuss with any
body, it's got to be with her"
at has
I'm that case, l guess we won't kick
up any fuss
Not if l can help it. It's all right
enough to pile onto man and squelch
him, but it's different thing when
it comes to poor. lone woman strug-
Cling bravely to support her sick moth
err
"The paper is going to quit, any
how" some one remarked. $50 it's all
right to let it alone. 1t can't do any
more damage"
The man who had come from the
rocm was silent and thoughtful for a
moment, then he said:
Il reckon the papers not going to
quit. either. I've got money enough
to tide it over a few weeks, and"
GIVE got enough to tide it over few
more weeks another said, and he
was promptly followed by the others
with like propositions. The uupshot of
It all was that a minute later a roll of
money was put into the girls hands,
and before she had recovered from her
establishment the cowboys were on their
way back to the ranch.
"Wonder what Ryan will Think"
one of them remarked as they rode
along.
Don't matter what he thinks" an
other replied. eve don't hire to him
to make war on women"
Thanks to the aid given by the cow
boys, the Eagle lived; and when Pra;
RE City moved to the new town the
Eagle went with it, and there it grew
ana prospered, and in time became a
prominent paper. But it's editor never
knew the true object Of the nights visit
That was paid her by the COWBOYS of
Ryan sranch. Whether she would have
thought any the less of them if she had
known is matter of doubt.
Naturally Ryan was displeased with
the action of his employees, the more
especially since the Eagle kept up it's
night on him. But there was nothing
he could do save submit, since he had
contracted with his employees for a