The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-04-05


air for couple of years.
There were no comforts or con-
seniences abont sheep-camps in those
days. A bunk-house and kitchen,
with all the furniture homemade ex-
sept the cooking apparatus; some
rough shelter for the sheep and o
stable for the horses we're generally
the only buildings, and these were
apt to b /. set down in some hollow OF
the bare, brown plain, to lake like
ovens under the summer sun and
TO shake in the cold blasts OF January.
Mason & Jeyons had lot Of such
camps, but the home ranch, on the
Deep Arroyo, was more pretentious
place. There my men and had a
dve-roomed house, about pasture
enough for two cows, and small
garden, under ditch, for the grow
ing Of potatoes and such luxuries.
We thcaght the place o wonder of
somfort, but the sudden change from
good city home to 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 steel
and burned his face to a brick red;
still, he was only boy, and could not
be expected to compete with the
seasoned men in an ordinary days
work. And yet, for all that, he would
come in brisk and smiling at the end
of a long days lamb-herding, when
some OF the older hands were used up.
This puzzled the men, for they had
been generally inclined to laugh atthe
boy fs "tenderfoot." The explana-
tion really was that Walter never lost
his temper in dealing with the pro-
voking. scampering, silly lambs. Now
few things are more exhausting than
total loss of temper-especially
when It is lost for fifteen hours day
land that is the usual misfortune of
lamb-herders.
Walter spent most of his leisure
time upon saperannuated cow-pony,
shooting ct coyotes with a rife, but it
was months before he hit one. The
coyote, although he always turns
''broadside on" and gives the marks
man the best chance he can, is bad
target; his thick fur makes him look
much larger than he really is. Walter
fred away cartridges by the box in
vain.
But his failures only inspired him
to try again, until at length he became
an uncommonly good shot.
The men, to whom coyotes were
familiar. uninieresting things, used to
laugh at Walters pershtent hunting.
They dubbed him "&lly Walter:
The Dread Death d Dealer o. Ahe Deep
Arroyo" " and were always anxious to
know when he intended to go off and
kill few Indians.
Don't be afraid of Indians" the
boy world say, bantering the men in
his turn. IF any of them ever come
p-owh4 round while I'm here I'll
stand them off," The promise was
made in fun, but he kept 1t in earn
est.
During the boys second summer,
after shearing time, my daughter,
Sally, came out from town, where she
was at school, to pay me months
visit. When the day came for her re-
turn, nobody could be spared to drive
her to the railroad but Walter. l had
intended to go, but John Hansford, q
wool,dealer, had sent word that he
was coming that day.
Walter was much pleased to take
my place, for he and Sally were great
and with only one road to
follow. there was no fear Of missing
the way. So. very soon after sunrise,
the girl and boy set out on their forty
mile drive to catch train which was
to leave Plattville ct five that even
ing.
About two hours aftes they had left,
and good deal earlier than I expected