Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1899-04-27

snarp cut Of the whip sent the horses
eaiioplng down the street. The town.
"lth ITS huddle Of squat, unpainted d
houses and its single deserted street
was quickly lost to view. Instead ap,
peareda long, winding valley, bounded
on either hand by bleak, desolate
@lmbo hills and snow-covered ridges
and raFines. The snow creaked mud
cracked under the wheels Of the
Dnckboard. Long icicles attachad 4
themselves to the horses nostrils and
Their sides became covered with frost
as they sped along.
Minnie obeyed .structions to the
lever by keeping her face covered
amt her mouth firmly closed, although
al times when the vehicle swayed and
jol'cd about, crossing deep, narrow
creeks with the horses at their top
! most speed, she felt an almost ire
slstiblo desire to scream. Fifteen
miles out they stopped at an Indians
CABIN to change horses, aud two hours
later Maverick Bill pulled up his tired
team before the door Of long, low,
dirty rooted, log tavern where their
midday meal was awaiting them.
! Their hostess, Mrs. March, short.
stout, elderly lady, whose reckless
disregard fpr h s betrayed her British
birth, met them at the door with o
cordial greeting and urged them to
SIT up by the huge, red-hot heater
and tbaw themselves, while she
poured ont the fragrant coffee and
added . few more dishes TO the already
ample spread.
| They Eesuned their journey none
TOO soon, fol the days are but scanty
length at That season Of the year, and
the sun v hs already sinking towards
the WESTERN horizon. OFF to the right
iean, hungry-looking coyote eyed
them clTlously for moment from the
top OF small, conical-shaped butte,
then dTepling upon his hannches he
eleyate' his nose and gave vent to q
weird, blood -curdling howl, like the
vail of hanshee foretelling death.
1hls prelude YVES immediately an
s"ered from neighboring draw, and
then halt-a-doZen of them Joined Of
once III q hldeoLs symphony that was
sWclied still louder by the hoarse, deep
bass Of gray wolf concealed among the
som brous shadows OF the cotlonwooJs.
Ilnnie. shlvered as she listened TO
thls groWsome orchestra. and Nav
erIcA Bill drew the flask from his
pocket, saying as he did so: Take q
drop of this, Mlnnie. \ sip Of some
thing hot IS Just what You need now.
Minnie dropped the blanket from
her iace. and her eyes dashed fire a,
She replied; Il don't drink wniskey.
Nr. Harris, and Won ought to be
ashamed q yourself for making such
a suggestion'
Bill gave vent t. a long. low vhis
lie. = plumb forgot that you'd been
back Fest for the last two year. I
don't 'spect you'n mix with common
COW runcIers any more.
Certainly not unless they behave
themselves like gentlemen, retortel
Minnie.
We'll, that depends, il you tigger
that We're agoin to oct Ike them
Eastern dudes. YOU'RE away off: but
| tell Yen what, Minnie. were Just as
good IA they are. only they're sly an
deceltiul about their onerrvness. an
we've got the rongh all on the outside
When | was q little kid, way back in
Tennessee. ny Of mammy used to
take ne on her knee an read 10 me
out Of t.-e Good Book. an I remem-
Der c4e verse specially that said.
God loyes sinners, but hates hvner-
cItcs, or wolis 70 tina, effect. Nell
He sure amt got no call to put Us fel-
lc.s ii the tire fer helm hyperclltcs.
Perhaps rot, but. Mr.. Harris
don't you 90 a great many thinrs that
your poor old mother would't approve
OF II he were alive-and il IS possible
that she knows about them lust the
same? When | first knew vou. wears
age. you never drank. or smoked. nor
gamblel. ana papa SAID that von were
the baet COW nani tLat lie ever hal
about the ranch What has made
such a change IL yol since them
Well. Minnie its hari % tell
1oU know I've been II TIE COW coun-
Try = lo4- TINE. | commenced vlanC-
ing horses :er the Cross Anchor on,-
4: whcp was only twelve wears Old
poor little Maverick kid wi,Lou.
A;,h Or hln II al ri vide world as
Ae Apored O.. BIZ. tie o. ladv's
teselIu Lai taken a mighty strong
Ao.: q. NJ. a.. / allu~ AIMED 10 act
il X ~ save NV mvney-al I lid
Il, ca. spell - II lad nice
.l s. cattle = nv ovu. then
ha! .utrr Gene 44i wiped Ell.
..- op' le5.g 'Lat | PEI my monev
III t.v t..uk. out the bank weaib broke.