The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-06-13
lie BOSS OF lIaERTY RANCH

he DoSs was very alex. The men who
oisliked him snd hts systematic ways and
straight. honest dealing and the men who
/ had learned TO respect and obey him, ap-
preciating his goodness and unselfish-
ness, were alike worried ard dishearten-
ed over his case. They had sent thirty
miles for doctor, who came and went
and was not doing him bit Of good A
low fever was sapping his life. and the
men knew that the doctor did not under
stand his illness and was not helping him
Then the youngest one OF the gang,
known only By his soubriquet OF Tender
foot suggested getting new doctor, one
who had a great reputation for skill but
before they could decide the boss heard
OF 1t and sent for him.
"Tenderfoot." he said. holding out a
lean, feverish hand. its Of no use I'm
booked for a long journey: I'm going far
and / m going alone. I'm not afraid but
L want you TO help and not hinder me
You must stay by me TO the last, for,
Ienderfoot. 1 sadly need g friend.
Perhaps the boss did not feel the tear
that fell on his face or hear the stifled
sob in Tenderfoot's throat, but the two
clasped hands. and so a solemn compact
Vas silently made And the noisy ranch
became as quiet in the vicinity of the
boss as if It had been the aRte-chambsr
of a sick room. Not one of the men took
fought and rioted until one day this
smooth-faced chap walked in among
them, said: "Gen, I'm your master.
made a contract with them for their fe-
atty, and saw that they kept il. too. One
look from under his level brOws brought
the toughest man there TO terms. Ten
derfoOt became his shadow and adorer.
The boss had conquered by kindness and
strategy. He wrote their letters home
for fba NOR, road n fbap1 nd trar,f fhaua
out Of rough mischief. They did not
wholly accept him at first. They were
keen readers Of human nature, and his
constant watchfulness did not escape
their vigilant attention. They were sus-
picious that he had committed some
crime ana was a fugitive from justice
always on the alert for surprise. He
fastened the door OF his cabin at night
ike a barricade and had TO be approach
ed like an army general in his tent. And
he never got over way he had of look
ing of to the east. listening and start
ing as stays Go when they smell the sea.
The men were apprehenslVe that some
day he would stampede just as the stays
do, and they would never see him again.
And he debut in a different way
One day couple of tourists rode out TO
the ranch and asked TO rest and have din
ner there. The boss had been up and
around. but when Tenderfoot sought him
he could NOT be found where he had been
a moment before the advent of the stran-
gers. The boy went TO the cabin and
found the door locked. He called and
was admitted.
Company, sir" he said when he was
inside
The boss turned a white drawn face TO
hun. yes. yes" he said petulantly 4
wish people would let US alone. But.
Tenderfoot. give them the best we have
and dont-don't let them in here
Are you worse. sir?"
Yes. I am feeling wretchedly i'll. Ten
derfoot. notice what they talk about. what
he says, but keep them away-keep them
away"
The boss could not have had better
lieutenant than Tenderfoot, who showed
the para man and his wife-everything
Of interest on the ranch. and when they
would have approached the picturesque
cabin built against the mountain side,
wheedled them off in a contrary direc-
ton with consummate tact And they !
did not see the wan and weary face
pressed against the lattice pane. To one |
at least it would have been a distinct
shock.
When they were gone late in the after |
noon. Tenderfoot hurried to the cabin and |
found the boss lying face down in his /
bunk. the curtain closely drawn.
They are gone. sir.
who are they?'' The boss drew the /
curtain aside and looked out, white and |
rigid.
''oh, sir. just "a man and his wife. I
reckon. but they were still sweetheart /
ng. Anyway. he was, but the woman /
iIdg't seem to care for him.
"Ah. What did, they say to each other2 /
He must have ssid something worth re-
peating-he looked so noble-and good
'I beg pardon, sir. but he was just |
spooney and she was cross and spoiled. /
6ut she was handsome. and the men just !
stared at her and admired her
Did you hear what he called herr"
Eyes, sir. He called her dear, and dar-
ing.
No no. boy. Her name"
"Once he called her Clara
"Ah. And she called him?
Sweetheart"
Every word the boy said must have
)een crueler than a sword thrust in the
leart of that unhappy man Tenderfoot
Iyno means deficient in critical sight. i'm
lgined a romance in the life Of the boss
\ hieh involved the woman who had vis-
ted there. and he hated her If she had
nted the boss. He was right, and-he
vas wrong.
From that hour the boss was under the
AN Of mortal illness and Tenderfoot was
lis nurse The boy Of 10 became mar
ell of gentle assiduity, a tender and visi-
ant watcher. He was with him when
leath cane for II did. The boss had seen /
N the men one By one and given them
.ood-hy. Then he asked to be left alone
eth Tenderfoot until the chi came. 50
he two were together, hand in hand.
saitlng for the supreme moment Of part
ng.
Then the boss told his story. It was
TRANCE. romantic. sad. but as Tenderfeet
lstened q great tide OF joy ran through
he boy s heart. Only para Of his theory
I the situation was true.
When the story was all told the era
anne Exile OF life he was HOW an exile
i death. Tenderfoot closed the unseeing
YES and salcmniy kissed she HaTespon-
I've Hps. while his tears fen hot and
asst. Then he wrapped that wasted form
-hich no hand hut his had toecued, r.
be draperies If death. and bore It ~ bis
trong. young arms 70 the grave Nalch
he men had dug at the foot Of great
Cottonwood tree, there TO sleep Until the
esurrset!on morn.
Pnt 1nlv Teaderfoot knew that the boss
Z Liberty Ranch was a woman.-Ars. NJ
.. Rayne-
The Country Is Progressing.
CFrofn the Philadelphia RecpTdf
From Easton. Md. town Of 10 little
nterprise. comes this bit q news. when
hovs that the community sim keeiis
.6u 20 the frort II progress iotr cor
sso,rdaEt vas today shown z sinai Ply
louth Rock chicken which possesses t~o
erfacilv formed hills which are joined
scsthe4. II is ONLY 3 few days cd. and
ss 70 dinlcuihT whatever n eatlne-i1
80 g has rfe ADVANTAGE over is con-