Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-07-03
ALICIA'S COWBOY
BY f. =. WINTHRoPE.

"oeueu ho iurio posters, spread
with bucking bronchos aud rough
riders of the world, to announce that
Buffalo Bill was coming to town. The
small boys betrayed an almost ps-
thetic eageFness to render small ser.
vices to the heads of the household.
The family clothesline disappeared
under the barn, to emerge later as "A
larlat aud to violently choke the
youngest hopeful employed AS tar,
get in default of real wild horses in
the family backyard.
The older folk were not above be.
Ing interested in the matter. Pster.
familias told how in his younger DAYS
he had known man who could
shoot all around Col. Cody. The
mother recOunted, with faint blush
on her faded cheek, how she had
crossed the plains in '73, and during
blizzard had been saved from an
untimely death by the ministrations
of young lieutenant. In fact, the
very blue blanket under which her
husband now took his Sunday after
noon nap in the library was SOU
venir of her narrow escape.
Between the two extremes, the
show was at once bait and reward.
1t was the peace Offering when Sire
Phon fought with Phyllis. 1t was q
merit badge when Phyllis would not
quarrel.
Even Edward Thurston and Alicia
Peyton were interested in the gaudv
pictures. AS they strolled silently
along in the mild spring air.
Yet Thurston had just asked Ger
tain fateful question. and Miss Pew
tons NO had been very decided.
IL like you better, perhaps, than
any mat | know" she had said
'Still, liking isn't love, and the man
| love must be some one | can respect.
You are nice boy, a good talker.
aud have all advantages of birth and
position. That is not enough. |
want to marrya mana real man.
strong, reliant-lke that man there"
And she pointed to the photographic
reproduction of the Rosa Bonheur's
painting of Cody.
"But Alicia" he urged, "this is so
foolish, you know. A chap can't ride
brOncho and wear chaps and spurs
when street car or a cab is the
proper thing, aud patent feathers and
black cloth are preferred. Let me
show YOU"
She raised her hand in protest.
"Please," she SAID, don't argue. 1t
hurts me to say this. Don't make it
worse by continuing y conversation
that is painful"
So he held his peace, but as they
walked slowly back to the house
from the park, each fresh "stand" of
bills, and Alicia's evident interest in
them increased the twinkle which had
come in ThurstOn's eye, despite the
blow to his hopes.
When they reached her door he
would not enter, but as he took her
hand he asked: "Msy send you
seats for the Wild West? / have
friends with the organization, and
while shall not be able to be with
you, it would give me pleasure to
know you were admiring the real
man."
Don't" she urged. "You are not
kind! didn't mean that wanted
to marry cowboy, merely that was
tired of the effeminate men of the Oh
ties; men who never do things; who
are content simply to exist. 1t is not
your own fault that you are not other
than you are. 1t is the fault of our
modern training"
He laughed. 81 didn't mean to
question your judgment" he said. al
will send a box over for the matinee.
Then you can take the little ones.
Good night"
He held her cool, slender hand for
n moment longer than was strictly
good form, then turned and went