The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-12-27
SANTA CLAUS AT GR|NN'S RANCH
4 STORY FOR CHRISTMAS.

Jhon Wells ierkcd his ncwly-uroc
horses to Il Standstill and glarcd his al
noyancc at the heavily bearded Me,
lean who, with dolfrd somhrero, h a
suddenly confronted him at a poin
where the McnarIvlllc road cxtrlcate
itself from the scattered iacals of Nc
kavctt and headed out for the opc
prairie. 1t was early morning of tn
2lth III December, 1895. Wells ha
freshly risen from an unappetizing an,
lndlscsti5lc breakfast of grease-soddel
tortlIlas and rancid bacon; had quarrel
ed with the hotci keeper over his ex
tortionatc charges for the last night
lodging; was hungry; angry with th,
sharp slcet that came drifting agaius
MS face from the northeast; angry with
the "lnTcrnal luck" that doomed hln
to wander ovcl the wild prairics OF
southwestern Texas while the lest OF
mankind were happily preparing for
the holiday festivities; angry at the
abominablc cabbage.leaf cligar which
refused TO yield him soacc from his
woes; angry with the world at large
and-just at that momeni-with the
disreputable looking "Grcaser' before
him in particular
"Tw1 gold pieces of 500" he yrowl-
ed. "Wherc are thol? Are they
counterfeit? How did YOU come by
thcm?"
The Mexican gravely reid them forth
in his dirty palm for inspections.
"They are Yoll, scuor. They were
given me by the American, Senior Black
who sends the meat of goats across
the seas in cans. The money is the price
of 40 goats that l drove from the Rio
COnchC."
Wells regarded the Mexican with a
searching gaze OF suspicion.
81 know Col. Bill Black, and his
gold is good. But l think know you,
too. You were in the hotel Just now
when paid my bill, and l think saw
you last night IL the store where |
bought those cursed cigars. believe
you want to learn if | have money, so
you can relieve me of 1t farther out on
the plalps."
The object of Wells dstrust threw
his arms aloft in humble depreciation.
"The Sacred Mother knows-n'
"Ncvcr mind that nonsense" ex-
claimed Wells, roughly. T'm no baby,
and l'll take chances on YOU and all the
Greasers in McKavett. pll give YOU
SILVER for your gold; and here in this
sack is more mOncyAwhitc and yellow
that you may have for the taking.
Don't be afraid of the guns-they ere
never loadcd-but sail in as soon as
you can raise your crowd and cvertake
me-"
The Mexican made no reply to this
bland bit of encouragement, but his
snaky eyes glcmed evily from their
covert of stecl-gray brows, as they rest
ed upon the plump buckskin pouch nes
tied between the butts of a heavy shot
gun and a winchester rife. He was
profusc in his thanks for the Amer
leans kindness, but Wells only re-
sponse WIS a short grurt as he once
more drew the blankets closely around
him and chirrured to his not over.
willing team.
1t was long driv2 to Menardville,
and longer one to the nearest railway
station, the poiI.t for which Wells was
now heading. Ever since the middle
of November he had been driving here
and there among the scattered ranches,
on collecting trip for his employers, a
prominent firm of San Antonio mer-
chants; and he was more than anxious
to get back to civilization again. He
was successful on his mission and had
remittcd several large sums by express;
but his collections had been heavy dur
ing the last few days, and at least 49,
600, in bills and coin, were slowed
away in his pockets and in the buck
skin bag at his feet 1t was large
sum of money and he naturally felt
the responsibility its possession invoyl-
ed. John Wells was by no means
coward, but he was perfectly acquaint-
ed With the country ard its people, and
knew that the chance OF acquiring one
tenth the amount he carried would be
sufficient to prompt many of the latter
to murder He had been particularly
struck with the villainous face and sus-
picions dcmeanor of the goat-herder,
and the uneasncss aroused by the little
incident of the morning hung over him
daring the entire day.
EeE without making MS usual MONDAY
@nelt, he drove steadily on, occ" sionally
glancing back over the din ,cail, i'm
momcntary eXpection Of fnuIng him
self pursued. However, evening came
without anything having transpircd to
increase his alarm, and an hour before
darkness closed down upon the bleak
plains he drew rein before the door O,
lone ranch and, without the useless
preliminary of applying for accommo
dations, began diyesting his tired lorsct
of the harness.
AS he unlocked the tugs of the of
horse, a iowhcaded urchin of eight O.
nine years came stroling up from tn,
nearby corral, crept into the bugg,
seat and drew the blankets over hi
head until only his boyish face an,
sparkling eyes were Visible.
"What's your name, mister2" b
asked, with childlike directness.
"Jack Wells. What's yours?"
"Iank Grimm. Pm only I.iltl
Hank. Old Hank is my gram paw, an
he owns tins ranch. The Mexican
call this DOS Botas Ranch, cause graz
paw gives the two boot brand. Sa,
mister, do you know who though
you mought be when you driv' up3"
"Couldn't guess"
"I thought mebby it was San
Claus, but then allow he's got mo
whiskers'n you have. Still, he moug
IL,