Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-19

th, sale of the pinto was |
Ec,S1f oil nently successful as a
Nsiat.a@ fin. ncial operation but there
are those in Swan Creek country who |
have never been able to fathom the |
mystery attaching to the affair. 1t was
at the fall round up, the beef round up.
ms It is called which this year ended
at the Ashley ranch. There We're rep
rosentatives from all the ranches and
some cattle men from across the line.
The hospitality of the Ashley ranch
was up TO its own lofty standard, and
after supper the men were in state of
high eNhilaration. The Hon. Fred and
his wife. Lady Charlotte. gave them
selves to the duties OF their position
as hosts for the day with q heartiness
and grace BEYOND praise.
After supper the men gathered round
the biz fire which was piled up before
the long low shed. which stood open in
front. II was Il scene of such wild and
picturesque interest as can only be
Witnessed in the western ranching
country.
Bill. MS King of the bronco busters.
moved about with the slow, careless
Indifference of man sure Of his posi-
ton and sure of his ability to maintain
ii.
He spoke seldom and slowly. was not
as ready wittcd as his partner, Hi Ken
dial. bur in act he was swift and sure.
and in trouble" he could be counted
on He was. as they said. "a white
man white to the back" which was
understood to sum up the true cattle
mans virtues.
Hello. Hll.' said a friend where's
Hi: IIain't seen him aroundw
We'll, don't Jest know. He was CO.
Ing to bring up my pinto
Your pinto: What pinto's that?
You hain't got no pinto"
"Mebbe not" said Bill slowly, "but I
had the idee before you spoke that l
had"
THAT so: Whar d We git him? Good
for cattle;"
The crowd began to gather.
Bill grew mysterious, and even more
than usually reserved.
Good fer cattle. Well, amt much
on gamhlin. but I've got leetle IN my
pants that says that there pinto kin
outwork any blanked bronco in this
outfit, giyin' him fair show after the
cattle"
The mon became interested.
| "Whar was he raisedY'
! Dunno"
"Whar d ye git him? Across the
| line?"
"No,' said Bill stoutly. fright in this
here country. The Dock there knows
him"
This at once raised the pinto several
points. To be known, and. as Bills
tone indicated. favorably known by
the Duke was a testimonial to which
any horse ght aspire.
"Whar d We git him, Bill? Don't he
so BANKED oncommunicatin'" said an
impatient voice.
Bill hesitated; then, with an apparent
burst OF confidence, he assumed his
frankest manner and voice and told
his tale.
"Well," ne said taking fresh chew
and offering his plug to his neighbor,
who passed it on after helping himself,
''ye see. it was like this, Ye know
that little Meredith gel?"
Chorus of answers: yes The red
headed one. | know. She's a daisy!
Regular BLIZZARD Lightnin' CONDUCTOR"
Bill paused stiffencd himself a lit
tie, dropped his frank air and drawled
out in cool, hard tones: II might re.
mark that that young lady is, light
persoom to say. friend of mine, which
I'm prepared to back up in my best
style, and il any BANKED BANKED son
of street sweeper has any remark TO
make. here's his time now
in the pause that followed mnrmurs
were heard extolling the many excel
lences of the young Lady in question,
and Bill appeased, yielded to the re.
quests for the continuance of his story.
and az he described Gwen and her pin
to and her work on the ranch the men
many Of whom had had glmpses of
her gave emphatic approval in theH
own way But as he told of her rescue
of Joe and of the sudden calamity that
had befallen her n great stiffness fell
upon the simple, tender hearted Eel
lows, and they listened with their eyes
shining in the freight with growing
intentness. Then Bill spoke OF the
Pilot and how he stood by her and
helped her and cheered her till they
began to swear he was "all right
And now" concluded Bill, when the
Pilot is in hole she wants to help him
out"
"Of course" said one. Right
enough. How's she going TO work it,
said another
"Well. he's dead set on to buildin' Il
} mectin house, aud them fellows down
AT the Creek that does the prayin' and
such don't seem to back him up"'
"Whar's the kick, BillT'
"Oh, they don't want to go down
into their clothes and put up for it,"
"ilow muchi"
WHY, he only asked 'em for seven
hundred the hull outfit, and would Civ
EN- two years, but they bucked-
wouldn't look at IT,"
Were you there, Bill7 What did
you do?'
"Oh," said Bill mOdestly, ~ didn't
! do much. Gave EN- little bluff"