The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-13

western Railway company tapped im-
patiently on the table. The other mem
bers of the board kept a constrained
silence, and the second vice president.
in charge OF extension. gazed longingly
at plebeian sign OF beer" across the
street and seven stories below. Ii was
at him the president was directing his
remarks.~
lit is ridiculous" he said, that we
should be blocked by the obstinacy OF
| one man In our endeavor TO Dulld tiiis
branch line. A casual observer Woulu
certainly suppose that the executive
department of the company had sun
cient brains TO overcome such an on
stacle as this. The situation is simple
enough. Here is our road and here
are the mountains I'm which the new
strikes have been made. To deVelop
them machinery must be hauled IN ahu
ore hauled out That means bfahch
line. one man owns all the land-inest
and foothills-between the railroad anu
the mines. We must cross his ranch
but he declines 10 sell right or way
He is a pioneer and is bull headed. lie
says the country was getting alonS
without railroads when he came mere.
and that IL can get along without then
still. We must overcome his oDJec-
tions-but how? We offer 10 pay him
well for all damage done. and ne re-
plies by suggestion that our grazing
outfit bring along one 1iatcar OF colilhs.
lie is certainly contrary individual
Have stated the case correctly
You have" said the second vice
president removing his gaze from the
sign below TO the map on the taDlv'
with one exception. Colonel Snortaliy
Is not an individual; he is "A community
and more; he is a corporation, because
he owns forty thousand acres OF land
he is IA political party, because he em-
plays more cow-punchers than you can
ordinarily get together at country
dance: he is a law-givcr. because OF MS
wealth and the taxes he pays; he ~ a
law-enforcer SO far as he sees nj, De-
cause ne can shoot straight ana has
men with him who can do likewise; ne
Is society, because his daughter. whom
/ have had the pleasure OF meeting, is
the most beautiful young woman i'm the
territory. What can poor, ordinary
railroad company do against such 4
combination? We cannot condemn un-
I'll we can get right of way from the
board OF supervisors, and he Is the
county government"
The president mopped his brow. II
gaze wandered across the street AMI
down seven stories TO sign. He
arose and picked up his silk hat.
"All right" he said. we must get
across that ranch some way"
A cloud OF dust was coming down the
road. Theophlus Smith carefully
watched II for n moment. and then
turned Bucyrus among the powders by
the roadside. Bucyrus was his mulc
Just ahead Of the dust cloud appeared
a frantic horse. tearing wildly down the
road toward him Now and then he
could catch glimpses Of swaying
blackboard and young woman cling
ing To the seat. Theophilus, who was a
careful young man. put his briarwood
y pc in the inside pocket OF his jacket,
drew his sombrero down tightly upon
his head and then disinterestedly
watched the approaching runaway. AS
the dust cloud and it's contents passed.
Bucyrus wheched, and then, too, went
flying down the road. Through sand
and over powders they went horse,
blackboard. mule and dust.
Excuse me- miss" said Theophilus,
as he came alongside and reached for
the bit Of the running horse; pleasant
day, is IL not?'
He gripped the bride hard, pulled
sideways and backward. and Bucyrus
cheerfully sat down TO the occasion Gld
sttd.- 'rAhere-was no more dust, and then
they stopped.
I
from his eyes and raised his sombrero
10 the girl i'm the blackboard She look
ed az him with wide-open eyes
II am very sorry" he said politely,
Ito stop you so rudely merely To ask
YOU a question: but will you kindly
pardon me and inform me where Col.
Snortaly lives?"
The young woman's lips quivered,
and, instead of replying, she burst into
tears. Then, recovering from her en-
barrassment and fright, she drew a
deep breath and smiled family, and. as
the color came back to her cheeks, she
answered.
II am the colonel's daughter, and i
will gladly show you the way home"
Theophilus spoke ya\ few words to the
stlll restless horse, handed the reins up
TO the young woman. and led Bucyrus
10 the rear OF the blackboard, to which
he tied him.
II suppose" said the coloners daugh-
ter. as they started up the road. that
] should thank you for saving my life
and my fathers best blackboard. Really
| thank you very much. II You VIII
stop at the house for dinner | will try
and show my gratitude with some tor
tilas and frijoles OF my own cooking
"'rhe debt OF gratitude is on my side
aud not yours" Theophilus answered
Il am i'm search OF work as a cowboy,
ana | can not but hope mat your J.
quaintance Is an auspicious omen"
Cowboys don't talk like that she
said. a little sharply, cycling him I'm
surprise. you're not fitted for range
man, anyway. Cattiemen don't ride
mules. Papa says there is only one ami
NAL more ridiculous, stpid and idiotic