Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-03-29


oned II would last month or tive
I anyhow
The two men looked into each 9th.
er's eyes. and the taller said as he
pushed back his chair: Wouldn't be
surprisln' II that was why Santa
Claus didn't come this way. He's n
! great feeder. you know. But II we
come up with him crossln' the range
wen tell him what good cooks you
! are" lie was pulling on his gloves
now. but he stopped and thrust n hand
into his pocket. Herr; give this ter
your mother an tell her we're sorry
fer the mess we left. but we amt got
time ter clear up
Then they were gone. and Freddy
and Teddy were studying over the
round yellow dollar the tall man had
thrown ON the table.
The two horsemcn had pushed four
miles In the teeth of the storm before
they spoke OF the twins. They had
stopped under shelter Of an overhang.
Ing rock 20 tighten up girths and 10
gather fresh strength from the tasks
which they drew from their hip peck
cts. The shorter man leaned YEARLY
against his faithful horse.
Seems n good many years. Jim.
sence the ole lady filled our stockin's
an told us stun about Santa Claus.
What was 1.-THE night before Christ.
masT Great stun we thought a."
Come on" said his companion anx-
iously. You'll be or your nut direct.
ly cf you don't get some quinlne or
somethln'."
1--WE got an idee when we strike
Golden wen buy somethin' sides qui-
nine" He groaned slightly and clutch.
ed nt his side.
"Itn be a box o by ef voc don't get
a move on" growled the tall man.
His companion looked up with n
smile that almost TRANSPORTED his face.
Don't get grouchy. Jim. We're goin
ter meet Santa Claus down ter Browns
store an drop his pack by that cabin
on the Fort Kane trail. It's resk, |
know"-thls as he noted the angry
light In the others eyes-"but, Lord.
them two youngsters has about cried
their eyes out. an'-well. you remem-
Der when the ole lady filled our stock
ms. jim"
The tall man threw himself into his
saddle. but he did not answer even
with an oath,
II was nearly morning In mar
row room az the Golden hotel A
smoky lamp gave forth a sIckly beam
Of light. which In turn fell upon a
CHASTITY bearded face. The short man
was breathing fast now and with an
ugly gurgle In his throat. suddenly
he turned toward the grim watcher by
his bedside. and IN bis eyes was the
pathetic yearnlng OF child.
1t aln't no use ter send Ter the doc
tor Jim IL only means bein' hauled
OF ter Jail ter die. ! know Il all right
It's pncumony. An the first marshal
ms claps eyes on you will clap some
thin else on your wrisss." a grin ~
humor shone even through the dying
mans agony. Fer the sake ~ tho ole
lady. Jim. don't forget them Kids. Drop
OF nj that cabin. sure, an then make
tracks. fer when they fin me they'll be
on your trail. Slong. Jimmy"
The tall man Strengthened up as n
the name hc had not beard In years.
Jimmy" hurt him. He picked up the
other mans coat and took from It's
pockets some odd shaped. knobby bun.
dies. Then he came back 20 the bed
side and gripped the hand that lay out.
side the gray blanket
Il can't do II, George; by heavens. ]
can't"
Slowly the sick man opened his eyes.
Fer Gods sake. man. It's bad enough
fer me ter die. but ter see you took by
the deputies A shudder ran over
the dying mans frame. Go on. Jim
my. an'-an'-don't forget them kids"
The Cheyenne papers two days later
announced In glarlng headlines that
the body OF Jim Cosgrove. one Of the
most notorious stage robbers Of the
Little Basin district. had been found In
n hotel room NJ Golden. Deserted In
His Dying Hour by His Comrade," ran
one OF the subheads.
And I'm the little cabin on the Fort
Kane trail two small boys were max
Ing merry with the gaudlest toys 20 be
purchased at Browns General Store
and eating more candy than they had