The daily Alaskan., 1904-03-03
A GIRL COWBOY
IOrlrlnaLl

A0AAeA AAAA a NNNAAN sAH-i 0-NN -H-N-Na to take her to the cattle grounds, start cd out in search of health.
 One morning she appeared at ranch and asked lf a cowboy was wanted. The superintendent looked her over from hcnd to foot and said:
 "Whats your name|
 "Tom Dorkins'
 "Tenderfo0t, ] reckon"
 "Yes; I'm not very we'll. Doctor rec E commended outdoor life
 "Itu cure you. sure. But you'll die from anoAer cause. The boys will grind you to powder However, if you want to try It. 60 ahead"
 1T Tom Dorkins hadn't been some thing of an invalid he would have had a hard time of It. As 1t was, the cow boys were disposed to take no cogni. zance of him whatever. One of them set up a faro bank in the barn, and Mary invested @ few dollars she had in her pocket in tue game. She struck an astonishing run of luck and without Knowing any more about faro than she knew about quateru.ans broke the bark Nothing succeeds like success. and as Bob Hathaway. the faro banker, was not popular the boys all declared in favor of the tenderfoot Mary in. vested her winnings in a spree for the boys, which. while it clinched her pop ularlty with them, brought down upon her the wrath Of Hathaway, who ex. pected to win back his money at the next sitting
 Then commenced number of petty Insults and annoyances from the faro dealers which had Mary been a man would have been unbearable. As it was, she was placed In position where she would have to light She was made aware of this. for her patient en- durance of Hathaway's Insults induced coldnosS on the part of the other boys.
 At Hathaway's next insult Mary went to one Of the boys, Henderson by name. whom she admired for certain coolness and dignity there were about him. and asked him to bear a message for her.
 Can you shoot TommyT asked Henderson.
 Don't know
 "See # you can hit that" He held his hat at arms length Mary drew her revolver from her hip pocket and standing a dozen paces from tue hat fired. Hearing a howl and seeing Hen derson's hand covered with blood shc burst into tears.
 You little fool You cry baby. Why didn't you bit the hatt How do you expect to fight a cowboy with such shooting as that|
 "Are you Hued| cried Mary.
 "Kiuedf No. But I've lost a part of my thumb"
 A little later Henderson and the ten derfoot were observed standing very close together, the latter binding up the formers thumb with a handkerchief
 From that day Henderson gave out that Dorkins. being in bad health, must not be interfered with. All save Hath away were disposed to let the boy alone. and he seemed ayerse to inter fering further with one whom Tender son had taken up as protege. Mary grew stronger every day, and when the bloom came to her cheek one of the boys remarked that the tenderfoot was pretty enough for a girl.' Then one day Hathaway recommended his taunts.
 or thought l told you" said Hen derson. "that the boy was to be let alone
 "That was because he was sick. He's well enough now"
 CT want you to understand replied Henderson, that ! consider Tom Dor ldns a sick man.
 "Sick. bosb." cried the crowd. Hes well enough
 Hathaway. you let him alone. If you are spelling for a fight you can have it with me"
 "Au right" said Hathaway. You send your baby boy 10 me with the message be asked you to bring
 And SO it was arranged that Tender son and Hathaway should fight But this did not serve in Che ease of Dor kins who received Che dead cut from the crowd Mary accepted the position Of second when she should have been hrst. and they deep.scd her.
 Mary further incurred the contempt Of the crowd hy displaying a trembling ] hand when she handed her principal bis revolver
 What's the matter with yOui' re- marked the opposing second, you're in DO danger you utue"- He broke or suddenly at a glance from Henderson.
 Dorkins was to give the first signal by dropping a hat It is questionable if the signal would have been given hnd not the seconds hand trembled 90 she couldn't hold It At the first Are Hathaway was mhuri; Henderson had the top of his ear taken off. He con trived to keep his second from seeing 1t by turning it from her. The two prin- eipals stood ready for the second signal when. suddenly. Mary saw blood on ! Hendersou's collar This was more than she could bear Rushing to him she threw herself on his chest, placing herself between him and bis adversary. Henderson turned red as the comb of a cock
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