The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-07-12

weeks AT time when he was possess
ed by what was known as his sullei
fits. and during those periods il was al
much as n mans life was worth [,
speak TO him and certainly to eros,
him. When he came out OF them. b,
was as loquacious as he had previous
~ been taciturn, as kindly as he hat
formerly been ugly. as gentle as he ha,
been rough. as tender as he had beer
hard and cruel and murderous. He
was strange mixture of saint anC
devil. of kindness and brutality, OF
generosity and merciless cruelty-a
paradox and that which begets NOR,
outside interest than any other human
attitude, a mystery.
"Why amt you ever been here be
fore, sonny he asked presently. "OI
maybe that amt any of my business
either
My father would not permit me to
come"
"Oh, that's 1t. Ell? And he gave in
this time, did hep
mo
! Craig Thompson cnucKled again.
Don't you seq. Lisle, that you have
answered t'other question? That's why
you're ahead of the bunch. Just jump
ed the stockade, flew the corral lit out.
stampeded all by yourself same's that
steer you rOpedin such good style, and
Dick thinks you're rounded up safe and
sound at home, ell? Is that the ticket?'
THAT is exactly the situation, Mr..
Thompson replied Lisle slowly. when
| first saw You swinging after the steer,
was wondering whether | had better
keep down the valley or turn back and
meet my father. Rut you have answer
ed the question for me. for now I've
got to help you in with this steer"
"IIumph. Look here. Isle. Just
consider that we've shook hands, will
you? That makes us friends. Now
I'm going 10 give you some advice, and
it strikes me that for a kid who has
passed all his life, if IL amt only IS
years, punching cattle. roping steers,
shooting stars ont of the sky and occa-
sionally pinhing an Indian or a MAYER
lex man-fOr that's what I've heard
y / al
Teller | know. In the first place, don't
mister any Of the boys up here on
this mesa, or they'll make a curiosity
out of YOU before you're n hours your
present senior. In the second place,
when YOU have once started out TO do
a thing don't turn back on any account.
DO it or drop in your tracks facing it.
RS n U-hnla 1pt l, I
tween the eyes than it is to be kicked
behind. That amt elegant, but it's
Gods truth. In the third place, tie uD
TO Craig Thompson for anything that
you can fOresee at this writing. and if
he happens TO have one of his fits on
don't YOU mind 'em. They amt for
everybody, and they won't be for you
Here comes two Of my boys They'll
take this critter, and we can ride in
more socially"
They were soon relieved Of the care
of the steer, and then they rode on ST.
lently side by side for some distance.
why wouldn't Dick ever let you
come here before" asked Thompson
presently.
Il don't know. He would never tell
me-" replied Isle.
We'll, can tell you"
"You can! Why is IT"
I'll tell YOU by asking a question or
two. Didn't you wing one Of my cow
boys, fellow named Cummings. about
a year ago when he was over at your
place after a bunch Of steers that had
strayed away|
Yes"
What did you do it for?'
Because he was impertinent."
Exactly. What did he saw"
He said that was cut out for wo-
man and spoiled in the making | con-
WINGED him that | was quicker with
my gun than he was, anyway"
Correct. He amt forgot it, and he
won't very soon. He's gone back east,
but he left piece of one of his ribs
out here TO remember you by. How
ever, that is why Dick don't want you
to come here. See?"
NO"
Hes afraid somebody else will say
the same thing; that's all"
Isle brought his horse to a sudden
stand. His face darkened and his |
black eyes flashed ominously.
DO you say the same thingW he .
asked quietly, but in a tone which con-
veyed much more than did the words
hat were uttered.
Lord, what fire eater you are! No!
don't say the same thing, but it would
be compliment if l did, for women
ire a hanged sight better than men.
But that amt here nor there. Some
If the boys will say it, or something
7ery much like it, and if you are going
o shoot every one that does you had
better lose no time in selecting a good
'lace to start your graveyard. You
won't be long in filling it,"
why should they say such a thing
Is that?"
well, there are a good many rea-
ons. Are you going to take what 1
ay friendly or are Won poinp to oot