Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1900-02-06
!, BORN TO WE'D:
How q Texan w0mAn's Inheritance. 4
q Pair of Mules, Gained Her
Second Husband.

The sandstorm had passed, leaving
the air vibrant and electric. The lash
ed earth was distorted from the pun
shmen II had endured.
Mrs ELICIT emerged from the rar-
were but four-and made an attack on
the heaps Of alkali dust that covered
the floor. Her weapons were a fire
shovel and a coal scuttle. A mere
broom would have availed no more
than a feather.
She was a northern woman making
acquaintance with the new southwest.
Domestic help in the southwest is q
case Of Chinaman or nothing. Mrs. e.
lott would have preferred a cobra
A shadow fell silently across the tiny
entrance way and a soft voice said:
Good evenin."
Madam resented the southernism. 1t
was only afternoon. However. she
looked toward the open door and ac-
cepted the challenge.
"D'y'all want a girl?"
Mrs. Elliott gripped her shovel firm
Iy to prevent herself from throwing
her arms around the woman's neck.
Twill you walk inY"
She family remembered a tradition
regarding servants, entrances and 9th
er devices Of civilization. but they were
intangible vapors. beating idly against
the rocks OF primitive conditions.
The Texan smiled gently. and her
brown eyes were as friendly as a dogs.
She seIted herself unasked. calmly
rocking back and forth Inc apparently
seeing no reason to pause In the chew
ing Of her gum.
Are you looking for a place."
Yes Y'see. m husban' has jest
died. an Of c'ose | cayn't live alone In
a tent out on the plain"
Mrs. Elliott bowed in recognition Of
Texan conventionalities.
Il thought mebby VII I'D low me to
put my tent in y'alrs back yahd. Then
I'd be safe. an | cu'd wo'k feb y'all."
The idea was good. Mrs. Elliott
grasped IT with concealed eagerness.
Yes. NJ husban' lef' me a shack an
a pa'h O. mules an q wagon"
Her shipper could not be called purse
proud. but it was certainly well salts
fed.
Husband been dead long:"
Bout three weeks" Her cheerful
ness was suspicious
WAS lie good to youT"
Il reckon he was as good as most
when he was sobeh. Sometimes when
he'd been drinkin be uss to beat me-"
This had apparently been no cause
for resentment. but was regarded with
mild as the usual course Of
nature.
what is your manner"
"Loo-eye-za."
Mrs Elliott gasped. but her necessi
ties were great
"Loo-eye-za." she said with a gulp,
you may come tomorrow"
Early the next morning the shack
and shackhold effects appeared In
charge of a lazy. shiftless looking and
unkempt Texan ranger. smelling vilely
of tobacco and whisky. Looeyeza fol
lowed with smiling deliberation.
who Is that manY' asked Mrs. Ell
lott
III says his name Is Mack Taylor"
In New Mexico it Is the part of wis
dom to take a mans word for his
name and TO make no further inquiries
rs he a friend Of yoursY'
FL lives of yondeh. an l got him to
move m shack feb me. never saw
him befoh."
When the full New Mexican moor
hung overhead that night, flooding the
plains with silver sheen for q hundred
miles. unwonted voices reached Mrs
EIliott's ear She made an errand into
the back yard On a bench In the tent
IGOR sat Looeyeza and Taylor. His
feet were on another bench. and be
had shed his coat He had the air Of q
man perfectly at home
4 jes' come web { see eff I'd got
Mrs RENDERS shack fixed all right"
be exclaimed. thrusting his pipe behind
him and trying to appear unconcerned
Looeyeza's smile vas conscious and