Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-07-11
ALICIA'S COWBOY.

1t needed no lurid posters, spread
with bucking bronchos and rough RI
ders of the world, to announce that
Buffalo Bill was coming to town. The
small boys betrayed an almost pathetic
eagerness to render small services
to the heads of the household. The
family clothesline disappeared under
the barn, to emerge later as lariat
and to violently choke the youngest
hopeful employed as targetin default
Of real wild horses in the family back
yard.
The older folk were not above being
interested in the matter. Pater-famil-
las told bow in his younger days he
had known a man who could shoot all
around Col. Cody. The mother re-
counted, with faint blush on her
faded cheek, how she had crossed the
plains in '73, and during a blizzard
mad been saved from an untimely death
by the ministration Of a young lieu
tenant. In fact, the very blue blanket
under which her husband now took
his Sunday afternoon nap in the Ii
brary was a souvenir Of her narrow
escape.
Between the two extremes,the show
was at once bait and a reward. 1t
was the peace offering when Strephon
fought with Phyllis. 1t was a merit
badge when Phyllis would not quarrel.
Even Edward Thurston and Alicia
Peyton were interested in the gaudy
pictures, as they strolled silently along
in the mild spring air, Yet Thurston
had just asked a certain fateful ques-
ton, and Miss Peyton's "No" had been
very decided.
u like you better, perhaps, than
any man know, she had said. "Stilh
liking isn't love, and the man I love
must be some one l can respect. You
are nice boy, good talker and have
all advantages of birth and position.
That is not enough. l want to marry
a mana real man, strong, reliant -
like that man there" And she pointed
to the lithographic reproduction of the
Rosa Bonheur's painting of Cody.
"But Alicia" he urged, "this is so
foolish, you know, A chap can't ride
a broncho and wear chaps and spurs
when street car or cab is the prop
er thing, and 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 a 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 MAY send you seats
for the Wild West? have friends
with the organization, and while l
shall not be able 70 be with you, it
would give me great pleasure to know
you were admiring the real man.
Don't" she urged. "You are not
kind l didn't mean that wanted to
marry a cowboy, merely that l was
tired ofthe efeminate men ofthe cities;
men who never do things; who are
content simply to exist. III not your
own fault that you are not other than
you are. 1t is the fault OF our mod
ern training"
He laughed. a. didn't mean to
question your judgment" he said. 81
will send box over for the matinee.
Then you can take the little ones.
Goodnight"
He held her cool, slender hand for
a moment longer than was strictly good
form, then turned and went down the
street with a springy stride thatargued
more strength than was made apPa-
o4 - Az rooJar, failor'a orts