The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-09-08

and noiselessly approached the Eagle
Office. A light was shining through a
window of the little, one-story box
and by one common impulse
the cowboys stole cautiously forward
to this window with view to Peeplng
into the room to see how the lad lay.
On one side of the room they saw O
rickety old typestand containing hai1-
dozen cases of type. On the other side
stood an old army press, while in the
center there was zinc-covered goods
box which answered in the place OF an
imposing stone, Up at the end otthe
room was a small table at which was
seated 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
a good, square view of her features.
They saw that she was young and
pretty. not much more than a child,
and very sad. There was deeply
troubled expression on her face, and
once they saw her brush tears from
her eyes.
1.-THE EDITORS wife or daughter, l
reckon" one of the cowboys whis-
pered.
Guess so," one of the others replied;
land Like as not the old whelp's 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. eve
want to see little more into this bust
ness before we. do anything RASH
The cowboy walked around to the
door and entered the office. He passed
across the floor, and stopped just be-
fore the little table ait which the wom-
an was sitting. lie took off his hat,
made an awkward bow, and said:
Good evening, lady. 1 hope find
you WELL"
II am quite we'll, thank you. Is
there anything can do for you?"
well, don't know. 1 reckon may
be I'd like to see the editor of this
paper" 4
II am the editor"
"Well, but I want to see the man
your father, or husband, or whoever
he is
"There is no man here. 1 am all
alone"
"You don't mean to say that you are
running this paper all by yourself!"
eyes, sir; except for the help of a
boy. who manages the press for me-"
The cowboy wh.stled, then stood
staring at the woman in amazement.
At last he. ejacu,ated:
"Well, if that don't stump me! A
woman running paper all alone, with
no men folks to help her! Gee, but it
must be lots of hard work."
''It is, but 1 don't mind that. I'd be
willing to work night and day if I
could just manage some way to keep
the paper going"
you're not figuring to stop it, are
you?"
eyes, I'll have to stop it. can't get
enough money to buy any more paper.
My mother is sick, and 1 have to buy
medicine and things for her. Poor
mother! don't know how 1 shall pro-
vide for you now"
The girls voice trembled, and her
eyes filed with tears. The cowboy
looked on a moment then paced rap
idly two or three times across the
room. Finally he said:
"You 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 safe distance
from the Office, and then told them all
he had discovered. They heard him to
the end.
$50 that woman" one of them said.
wrote that piece about Ryan"
"She did"
'Then if we kick up fuss with any
body, it's got to be with her"
ut has,"
I'm that case, guess we won't kick
up any FUSS
mot if 1 can help it. It's all right
enough to pile onto man and squelch
him, but it's different thing when
it comes to a poor. lone woman strug-
Cling brayely to support her sick moth
er."
THE paper is going to quit, any,
how" some one remarked, $50 it's all
right to let it alone. It can't do any
more damage"
The man who had come from the
room was silent ard thoughtful for
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"
I've got enough to tide it over few
more weeks" another said, and he
was promptly followed by the Others
with like propositions. The upshot 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!n
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;-
tie City moved to the new town the
Eagle went with it. and there it grew
and prospered, and in time became a
prominent paper. But its editor never
knew the true object of the nights visit
hat was paid hc- by the cowboys of
Ryan'sranch. Whether she would have