The times., 1899-03-05

the question morning. noon, and night. The
colonel pointed out the bad qualities of the
mule; Theophilus grew eloquent over the
animals virtues. Glory smiled, but took
no part in the discussion which resulted in
the famous race at Crag's Corner-a race
that is still memorable throughout all OF
the Poncho Basin country.
The colonel brought out a long-legged
mustang that he had purchased across the
border the year before This mustang was
a sad deceiver, and had lightened the
pockets of many cowboy who had backed
q home animal against the imported stock.
A lightweight Mexican rode him. a few
minutes later Bucyrus ambled forth. wear
ing that surprised look Of a mule when he
is but half awakened from a sweet dream
of peace with plenty of barley hay In IT.
Judge Arkansaw West officiated as starter
and judge. All the inhabitants of the
Basin were on hand to see the race. and
even old man Johnson stopped his sheep
shearing and came from over the range
with all hands to enjoy the holiday.
At the start the mustang ran away from
Bucyrus, and at the quarter there was room
enough for a threshing machine between
them. The crowd laughed and cheere1,
and the colonel issued general invitation
to free drinks for all present after the race,
for the colonel was very fond OF his own
opinion. For some reason Glory did not
half there was a change. Bucyrus seemed
to remember that he was neither asleep
nor working for the Government. He be-
gan to run. At the last quarter there was
silence, for the crowd was holding its
breath. While the mustang and Bucyrus
were coming down the homestretch the
colonel's Ccuntenance was interesting. and
when Bucyrus passed under the wire some
thing more than an ear ahead the colonel
4 l.. hi ~ . nGI1n
to Crag's Palace of Delight and family ask
ed for a stlmulant.
That night Theophilus showed a woeful
lack of good taste. He ostentatiously re-
viewed the merits of the mule family. and
of Bucyrus in particular. The colonel sat
in fiery silence and chewed the cud OF bit
ter reflection. but finally. when Theophilus
wound up by declaring that Bucyrus could
outrun the Overland Limited from Crag's
Corner to the mOuntain-road crossing.
distance of a little over mile, Colonel
Snortally arose in his wrath and swore.
I'll bet ye anything ye want that yer
wall-eyed apology fer boss can't do any
thing of the kind" he said.
viii you bet my pick OF any hundred
unimproved acres on your ranch against
Bucyrus that he can't" quietly asked
Theophilus.
''Sartinly," said the colonel. who deep
rus.
An right" said Theophilus: If you
say so. we will settle it tomorrow-goins
west" The colonel said so, and went 10
bed.
BY the light of the stars that night a
man rode hurriedly down to Crags Cor
ner, the nearest railroad station. and be-
fore dawn rode as hurriedly back to the
ranch again.
hn dow bpr lay nf
citement in the Basin. The rumor of the
novel race sped swiftly. That is why Ike
Williams heard. way up in Rocky Gu,ch.
that Colonel Snortally had bet his forty
thousandacre ranch against herd of
mules that certain swift animal of that
kind could net beat the Overland Limited
in a ten-mile race.
The wagon road ran for miles along the
railroad track, so Bucyrus was not handi-
capped. The race was an even one up to
the last fifty yards. when Bucyrus, by
tremendous spurt, shot ahead and passed
the crossing with twenty-five feet cf day
light between himself and the engine. But
there are wiseacres in the Basin who
shake their heads when telling of that
wonderful race. and hint that the engineer
was half asleep.
Colonel Snortally was a good loser. and
he cheerfully invited Theophilus out the
was not the less cheerful because Theophi-
lus the night before had made him IA pres
ent of Bucyrus. Theophius proved an
amazing chosen. He took Il narrow strip
of land running from the corner up to
Warder's Canyon. at the foot of the noun
tains. To the colonei's jesting about his
choice. he said something about it making
q good racetrack.
About a week later Theophlus was en-
inXt lot aft 4
smoke the veranda- He was at peace
with the world, when Colonel Sortally came
up the walk. The coionel's face was like
the sun shining red through thunder
cloud. He was too much agitated to speak
for a minute. but when he did begin TO talk
his words were to the point. From his
expression one might gather that he was
perturbed by the fact that Theophiius had
sold a certain hundred acres of Land as a
right of way to the Great Southwestern
Railway Company. Colonel Snortally fin
ished by declaring his intention of remov
ing from the scene stranger who had TAX
en- him in. and herewith drew his revolver.
There was a rustic of a dress. low cry,
and Glory was sobbing. with her face on
Thcophius' shoulder.
Don't do it. colonel. unless you feel
compelled TO-" said Theophilus, rising with
one arm about Glory. and unless you want
to make Glory widow. We were married
two days ago
Colonel srortaily's face grew white and
the revolver slipped from his grasp Glory
was the dearest of all to him.
The president of the Great Southwestern