The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-03-12

thing good in everybody. He illustrated
the fact that there was something good in
himself, and after that those who knew
him were quite ready to believe that there
was not human being who was altogether
bad.
Dawson was not a cowboy, yet there was
not man who was better known on the
range from one side of Kansas to the other.
lie owned no ranch, he neither bought
nor reared any cattle, yet he was one OF
She most thrifty cattle dealers on the
plains
In plain words he was cattle thief. He
and four or five Others formed little band
who thrived by stealing cattle from diff
ferent herds and selling them to buyers
who were not over scrupulOus. Having
got them at little expense he could afford
to sell them cheap and consequently he
had little trouble in finding purchasers.
Naturally the cattlemen had no love
for Dawson. They did not admire his
style of business. He was nervy, progress
sivr and energetic, and that was all right;
but his loose way of accommodating property
at the expense of other people was quite
different thing. That was not all right
The cowboys had it in for Dawson, and
IL they could ever got hold of him they
would have forced him into involuntary
retirement in short order. He would have
made more or less graceful exit from
business at the end OF a rope, following the
example of more than one gentleman
who had retired promptly and permanently
from illegitimate cattle dealing on short
notice.
Dawson was we'll aware of the feelings
&he cowboys entertained for him, and he
made it point to keepas much as possible
out of their way. However, there we're
times when his business interests brought
him into pretty close contact with them,
and frequently he had a pretty narrow
squeak for his life.
On more than one occasion he was chased
across the prairie by gang of irate COW
boys, his horse keeping time to the rapid
firing of pistols while bullets whizzed about
his head ike an army of angry hornets.
But he always rode the fleetest steed that
could be had and he was not long in leav-
ing his pursuers safe distance in the
rear.
1t was during one OF the flights from p
gang OF vengeful cowboys that Dawson did
a generous thing, bringing sunlight and
gladness into three dark and miserable
lives. 1t was an act which showed that,
in spite OF all his faults, there was still
burning in his bosom spark OF true
humanity.
He had Just eluded his pursuers and
seen them give up the chase and turn back
when he came upon an old, rickety covered
wagon stonding at the edge of a belt of
timber near little water course lie was
about TO pass on without giving the wagon |
more than a cursory glance when suddenly !
there came to his ears a long, low, ptiful |
moan that told too plainly story of deep
ment. anguish. Involuntarilr he stopped |
and listened and after the lapse of
moment the moan WAS repeated, only this
time it was more pitful, more pathetic
shan ever.
As hard as Dawson was that moan
touched his heart and stirred it strangely. |
Withaut hesitation he dismouutcd and |
walked to the wagon and raising the cover
cautiously looked in. One Elance was
enough, Il revealed to him sad and
touching picture.
Stretched on bed Of straw at one end |
Of the wagon was the lite!ess form OF o poor
emaoiatea woman while huddled together
near her, gazing aRoui1ngly on her cold !
features, were a man and two little child |
rem. The living were almost as pale and
hollow-eyed as the dead
Dawson drew away from the wagon to
Little distance and for two or three minutes
stood deeply engrossed in thought. A
remarkable change had come over his gea
cures and instead Of the hard, cold, wicked
expression that was natural to him, there
was soitness and gentleness in his eyes
and face that was entirely new.
"Poor woman" he muttered at last with
Il sigh "Poor little kidsn' he added aftar
pause.
He went back to the wagon and reaching
in touched the man on the shoulder.
'Come out here a moment" he said
softly. 81 want to speak with you"
The man got up slowly and s,iflly and
climed down from the wagon. Dawson
noticed that he was very frail and that he
reeled and staggered as he walked.
"What do you want with me? he asked
Of Dawson
THAT is your vile in there?" the latter
replied questioningly.
The man nodded.
when did she die?"
About an hour ago"
"Malara?"
es; shes been sick q long time, and
started east with her, got here yester
day and stopped. She had taken worse
and could got no further. 7 GOT a doctor