Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-12-21

his collections had been heavy during the
last few days. and at least 50 900, in bills and
coin, were slowed away in his pockets and
in the huckskin bag at his feet. 1t was
large sum of money and he naturally felt
the responsibility its possession involved.
John Wells was by no means a coward, but
he was perfectly acquainted with the coIn-
try and lis people, and knew that the chance
of acquiring onc-tcnth the amount ne car
red would be sufficient to prompt many of
the latter to murder He had been particu-
larly struck with the villainous face and sus-
picious demcanor of the goat-herder, and the
uaeasiness aroused by the little incident OF
the morning hung over him during the en-
tire day.
Without making his usual MONDAY halt,
he drove steadily on, occasionally gancing
back over the dim trail in mcmcnlary eX-
pectation OF finding himself pursued. How
ever, evening came without anything hav.
ing trauspired to increase his alarm, and an
hour before darkness closed down upon the
bleak plains he drew rein before the door
Of a lone ranch and, without the useless pre-
liminary of applying for accommodations,
began divesting his tired horses Of the har.
ness.
As he unlocked the tugs Of the off horse,
a towheaded urchin OF eight or nine years
same strolIng up from the nearby corral,
crept into the buggy seat and drew the
blankets over his head unit. only his boyish
face and sparkling eyes were visible.
"What's your name, mister he asked,
with chldlile Girectness.
"Jacl Wells. What's yours
Hank Grimm. I'm only Little Hank
Old Hank is my gran paw, and he owns this
ranch. The McXcans call this Dos Botass
Ranch, cause gran paw gives the two
boot brand. Say, mister, do you know who
| thought you mought be when you driv'
up"
Couldn't guess"
Il though, mobby it was Santa Claus, but
then | allow he's got more whiskers n you
have. Still, he mought have shaved"
Wells admitted that Santa Claus might,
by way OF a change, conclude to make his
annual trip with a beard Of three weeks
growth, or even a smoothly y-shaven face.
Further than that he couldn't. under the
circumstances. blame Little Hank for look
ing upon ali strangers with an eye of sus-
pcon: but he thought the chances of pop
ping his gaze on Santa Claus by daylight
were extremely small. Several millions OF
boys, III different parts OF the world, had
been keeping their eyes open for years with
out avail, and there had come to be popu-
lar belief that the jolly fellow with the rein
deers Travelled principally in the dark.
That's the way he hit this ranch last
Christmas and | reckon he left it til! about
the last ranch on his rounds, remarked the
boy. "lIe didn't leave me thing that !
wanted-nuthin' but little tin wagon and
i, i
Santa Claus ever handles windchcsters| |
The appearance of the elder Hank Grimm
spared Wells the necessity of answering
this difficult query. The owner of the Two
Boot ranch" was a man well advanced in
years, and possessed OF a sturdy erect fig
ure, sqUaTe-cut features and sllyblu eyes,
that told at once of German ancestry and of
past service in the armies of the old world or
the new. He welcomed the traveller heart
ily, directed him how to dispose of his
horses for the night, and then abruptly
turned away and entered the house. Little
Hank remained behind and, in his quaint,
boyish way, superintended Wells every
movement.
A covcy of quail that had beer foragng in
the vicinity of the crib flushed at their APP
proach and settled in the prairie grass a
short distance away. Little Hank clamored
to have one of them killed for his Christmas
breakfast, and to please him, on their re
turn to the buggy, Wells slipped a couple of
bird loads in his Parker, and, when the
| covey rose again, grassed three plump beau
ties with hasty double shot The boy was
in perfect ecstasies over his success.
That's bettern you could do with a
windchester' he remarked, in tone de-
noting that he considered this the height of
possible praise. Gran paw says a shotgun
is no good; but reckon it depends heap
on who shoots it. | never seed but one be-
fore, and it wasn't wuth shucks. II be
loneed TO a man from ArkansG.w, and he
couldn't hit the broadside OF mule"
The travellers effects were soon trans
ferrcd to the living room of the ranch, where
he was introduced to the ranchman's aged
wife, and found that the only occupants of
| the place were themselves and their pre-
| cocious grandson. Grimm was a German Of
| the old school, with true Teutonc ideas of
| comfort, and it seemed that unusual prep
| aratlons for the evening meal had been made
| in honor Of his visitors All in the way of
| food that the ranch could offer was on the
| table, and, surmountng the array of snowy
| biscuits, ham and eggs, juicy steak and
/ canned fruit, stood group of ancient glass
| decanters, their contents shining in a grada.
! ton of coors from deep red to straw yel.
| low.
Little Hank seemed to look upon his share
of the feast as an especial treat, and after it
| was disposed of his tongue ran more gibly