New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-19

was his world and the slow creek his river Hs
wondered how much bigger the Mississippi Vas.
FOR his mother, now in the cemetery az ths
city toward whici the old pinto was going.
had come from Memphis.
I'D like TO 10 Sis in old Virginny. said
JEFF. he took his mouth organ out OF his
shirt and went 10 look at the sheep II reckon
they don't care much for boregas IN Vfrglnny
I dew wonder some why paw hdnkers alter
sheep when he has cattle sheep Is sheer
He sat by the bank Of the 'crick'' and played
his poor bits of tunes and presently. as the sun
westered and the thin shadows of the Inesqultes
stretched two hours journey on the grass the
sheep rose from their camp and started oroVs-
ing JEFF whistled for his dog. lean mOngrei
with a big head and wistful eyes. and started
to loaf the way the herd OF sheep went He
played as he walked once more Young faH
piped. and the haze AT least danced But his
heart was heavy
Il can't play worth a darn" said JET N
mighty anxious about paw"
He put away his instrument and played NO
more He spoke TO his dog
Bob. old son. II that Walker puts lead into
the old man. Tu-IH blow hole threw him a
rat ked crawl threw"
Now. though he piped no more, the Waoi7
world danced through his tears
I'm darned sorry for the old man" whfrn-
pered his son, he amt had no circus OF a lie
Things was tough back East, so nav used 70
let on. and here they was tough and then sns
died. he amt bin the same sence. but more
fierce and contrary, and ne gets ruH tnrse 70
one 10 what he done when NAV vas alive
dew wish I'd he'd the savvy 70 go IN with him
But he'd never ha' let me
AT shutdown he cOrralled the sheep and their
lambs in struggling mesquite corral against
the raids OF coyotes and went back 70 the
shanty. He cooked a mess OF -four and btr
OF bacon and ate his supper. washing II down
with a drink from the creek Then he sat out
side on upturned key which had once held
nails, and played little more as the ctght
came on. The stars broke out IN the east, and
then they shone over him. and the west was
blue at last as the moon rose in the east rhs
solace Of the time was upon him. and tcr q
little while his heart was easier
The boys. won't let Walker shoot him I'D
any, he said, hopefully. They're hne lot
OF boys to the city. and I reckon some day
they'll make Walker like sieve But when
he went into the house he took down bis
fathers old shotgun and looked az IT,
-I'u be the only one left said JEFF. as hs PUT
Il back IN it's place. the only but Sis.-
Buzz nevertheless he slept soundly whan 10
was once in the blankets. and he never woks
made the prairie almost light as day. When
be woke be sat up suddenly.
Paw" he called; paw. e that your
But there was no answer. and he cana %
himself
coming across the prairie at a IoDe. He spranx
out OF bed and ran to the door.
That amt paw, unless he's let The wagon
70 the city" he said There's times he VIII.
when he amt sober and amt rightly full"
Yet he knew how unlikely It was that The
time that poor old Dexrer wasn't rightly
full" when he came hack home. And the sound
horseman pulled I'D outside the shack
"Ez that you, JeR?' he asked
a sinking heart What's brot you this wayr
Hev you come from the city and hsv you sean
BIZ Davies got or his pony and. leaving It
with the bride reins on thu ground came ID
20 JEFF. He was cowboy from Ennis Creek
and was not often that way.
I've rode out TO tel about him." SAID Bill
quietly
Oh said Jerr- Y know. Hes dead. BIZ
He's gone. JEFF"
And Walker shot him.
He's the third Windy Walker has shot and
killed IN two years" said Davies. And twill
be seIf-defence. JEFF. Your old man started to
pull on him and was slow getting out hts
gun as mud turtle on dry land And Walker
pulled down on him and shot him through three
times before he teched the ground Tha poor old
man Is dead. JET Don't grieve, Lefr-''
But JEFF swallowed his tears
II amt grievin' now. Bill Davies. III find
time when Walkers dead" he SAID in choking
voice.
BIZ Davies shook his head
Twas self-defsnce. JEFF; II was. sure For
las night they had a sort OF difficulty. and
Walker sight And Walker IaTed. And we
got your dad out o town dghtin' someIhin.
awful And he pulled his gun first. There's
four TO take the stand and say so. There won't
be no trouble for Walker. He says he'll do the
thing handsome and bury the old man u style"
JEFF threw up his head
You amt defendin' waiksr now. .7s you.
Bill Davies?"
The cowboy shrugged his shoulders
Me defend him. jeff? He's the nealest sort
OF murderer He don't take chances with any
but old men and tenderfeet- He amt the man
seIf-defence. and IS greedy for IT. I'd ike 20
see him laid OUT cold, and before buried him
IN style I'd see the dogs eat him"
TN Kill him said JEFF. ''Niu you sleep here
Bill. and lend your pony. SOS can 20 into
town and see paw III send the pony back
early"
You can ride" said Bill I'll stay h.-e Do
you mean what you say. Jefr?'
'SUre's DEATH said JEFF; amt he killed paw
Who else is there
Bill Davies took him by the hand
You're man. JEFF and III be proud OF you
But reklec' he's quick on the trigger. Don't taks
chance HE won't give none"
TN give him none" said JEFF
You're a boy after all unused the cowoov
"aud If you Kill him the-e'u be those thatsn
sympathize with you BUT perhaps you'd bette
go back 10 Virginia your sister"
To say so was TO ease his mind OF hz-d trryl
Bill Davies felt much easier after II
I'm going back soon said JeE-
And he rode through the moonlight 20 tns
town He sent the pony back soon as h
found his fathers body, which lay IN the back
store OF the man they usually dealt with And
the funeral was next day. Walker id rot pay
for IL. for JEFF sent him message
He looked JOlerable wicked" said he r-ar
who took II 10 the slayer
Did he?' sneered Walker. You can t-I hir,
TO keep out OF my way. SesS-'
Walker felt injured man
Good Cod" said Walker: shall have 20 XII
a bov?-'
TO be contfar-t-S