Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1902-03-06
THE TANNING OF SATAN.



The boys of the Carlisle ranch In
Southern Utah will never forget
their Introduction 10 Bugssskin. or.
rather. Buckskin Ike's introduction
Of himself, along In the early nine
ties. The writer was present when
Ike strolled up 70 a cabin Of the Bar
x ranch with . gunny sack on his
shoulder and woebegone express
sion on his face. and sought admis.
sion He told = hard-lnck story
about sick horse that died down
In the hills yonder," and he wanted
70 stay q few days until he found
out where he was ut. I" Hospitality
is one Of the most pronounced fea-
lures OF cowboys and cattlemen in
that part Of the world, and as no
wanderers plea for shelter was ever
IN vain. therefore the invitation 10
come In was hearty and unqualified.
The man was about as long and
loose iointed q specimen of humani-
~ as is generally given mortal eyes
70 behold. Six feet and four inches
tall and weighing but about I30
pounds, he appeared, as he stood
leaning against the doorway, to be
much taller and simmer than he
really was. His hair was of a col
orless, mildewed hue, rather long,
and his sleepy blue eyes and gener-
al listless appearance indicated that
be was not a character of much force.
His long, thin neck and large ears
gave one the impression that he had
been carried around by the ears
when a child and stood mp in the
corner out OF the way to grow. His
actions as he moved to the centre Of
The room and cast a gunny sack he
was carrying over his shoulder on
he floor, were slow and uncertain
md he wore an apologetic air as
though he felt there was some ex-
:use necessary to offer for being
alive. He was dressed i'm a faded
md worn suit Of overall goods aud
! soft gray hat, not Of the style us
aaily worn by cowboys. The only
article Of apparel which was in keep
ng with his location and the com
pany he was in, were his high heel
ID boots. WHICH were the regulation
article OF the range.
Gosh, I'm glad to get somewhere,
was his exclamation, as he let his
pack slide to the floor and looked
lround with q bewildered air.
'Where'd ye come from and where
ire ye going?' asked the boss of the
ranch, Billy Madden.
I come from Bluff City and was
soin to the mines down on the riv-
sr, but my horse took sick and died
iown yonder about twenty miles,
M hoofed IL all the way up here
With the saddle and blanket ON my
back, replied the stranger, as he
slowly looked around the crowd OF
,owboys gathered In the cabin
for supper. An I'm all
ired hungry, he added, with an
air, looking toward the
cook, who stood, kettle in hand, lis
tening to his story.
Well. fall in; chuck's ready, said
he csok. It's q pretty big con
Iracs 20 ill you up. but you re wei
serns 10 all you can hold.
Where are you from?' inquired
he foreman, after he had watched
or q time evidence OF the truth of
he strangers assertion that he was
From Missouri, youchsafed the
busy guest, between Urrcs' s'a--
names Ike Ike Jarvis.
Been out here long?' continued
Madden.
Bout as long as they make 'em,
| guess. replied the lengthy Ike,
as he glanced down at his toes.
I guess that's q fact replied
with o grin, but how does
it come you re short?'
oh, that's long story, said Ike,
as he bolted o biscuit whole and
reached for another chunk Of beef
Say. you'd make pretty tie rope
II you're tough enough, remarked
one chap down at the other end of
the table
Yes, I've held good many mules
down in Missouri. assented Ike, in
nowise perturbed by the intended
ridiculs.
After supper was over, the gang
gathered around the newcomer TO
quiz him.
What are you going TO do now.
since your horse is deadg You can't
travel on them legs. said Jud Smith.
o cross-eyed cowpuncher. as he shot
Q stream Of liquid tobacco perilously
near Ike's foot.
Say, partner, just spit the way
you look, won't you? Needn't try
70 drown me. Too much strain on
On your splitter. III stand on my