Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-05-11

the doctors orders, to live IN the open
air for couple of years.
There were no comforts or con-
veniences about sheep-camps in those
days. A bunk-house and kitchen,
with all the furniture homemade ex-
cept the cooking apparatus; some
rough shelter for the sheep and a
stable for the horses were generally
the only buildings, and these were
apt to be set down in some hollow Of
the bare, brown plain, to bake like
ovens under the summer sun and
to shake in the cold blasts Of January.
Mason & Jevons had lot OF such
camps, but the home ranch, on the
Deep Arroyo, was more pretentious
place. There my men and 1 had q
fve-roomed house, about pasture
enough for two COWS, and a small
garden, "under ditch" for the grow
ing of potatoes and such Injuries.
We thought the place wonder of
comfort, but the sudden change from n
good city home to a sheep camp, with
its extremely early hours, its very
plain fare and still palmer cooking,
was rather trying TO Walter; but he
never made the least bit of complaint,
not he. He fell into the ranks at
once, and although he was not re-
quired to work, he set about learning
the details of sheep-raising by doing
everything with his own hands.
Before year was over the outdoor
life had turned his muscles into stee
and burned his face to brick red
still, he was only boy, and could no.
be expected to compete with the
seasoned men in an ordinary day.
work. And yet, for ell that, he woult
come in brisk and smiling at the enc
of long days lamb-herding, whel
some of the older hands were used up
This puzzled the men, for they hac
been generally inclined to laugh at tn,
boy as "tenderfoot. The explana
ton really was that Walter never los
his temper in dealing with the pro
voking, scampering, silly lambs. Nov
few things are more eXhausting thar
@ total loss of temper-especiall
, when it is lost for fifteen hours da
, and that is the usual misfortune c
lamb-herders.
Walter spent most of his leisur
, time upon superannuated cow-pony
shooting at coyotes with rifle, but
was months before he hit one. Tn
coyote, although he always turn
"hroadside on" and gives the mark!
man the best chance he can, is ba
, target; his thick fur makes him loo
much larger than he really is. Waite
fired away cartridges by the box
vain.
But his failures only inspired hi
, to try again, until at length he becan
an uncommonly good shot.
The men, to whom coyotes wei
familiar, uninteresting things, used
laugh at Walters persistent huntin,
; They dubbed him "Woolly Waite
The Dread Death Dealer of the Dee
Arroyo" and were always anxious
know wheu he intended to go off al
kill few Indians.
"Don't be afraid of Indians" IL
boy would say, bantering the men
his turn. "If any of them ever con
prowling round while I'm here l
: stand them off,. The promise w
made in fun, but he kept it in ear
est.
During the boys second summe
after shearing time, my daughte
Sally, came out from town, where 81
: was at school, to pay ne month
: visit. When the day came for her I
+: turn, nobody could be spared to dri
: her to the railroad but Walter. h
} intended to go, but John Hansford,
r wool dealer, had sent word that
! was coming that day.
Walter was much pleased to tai
: my place, for he aud Sally were gre
friends, and with only one road
follow, there was no fear of mlssi
, the way. So, very soon after sunris
the girl and boy set out on their fort
mile drive to catch train which W
, to leave Plattville at five that eve
ing.
About two hours after they had lie
opd n o,nNI dool aorl;ar tbop avpoot