Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-02-10
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FROM OUT
TIE WEST
BY MARY WOOD
Copyright, 1905, bp 4. c. Mcclure
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Missoula Ann gazed across the fro
zen stretches of the park with a de
lightful sense of ownership. The chill
wind which had deferred all other way
farers was as the breath OF her own
prairies.
jest the sky for norther. Teddy"
she said exultanfly. Seems like old
tines 1t does"
Teddy was not looking at the sky.
Around bend in the road came
horse. jet black. well groomed. head
high, while the delicate nostrils shifted
the wind, and saddle invitingly empty;
not ownerless, for policeman walked
close beside. But Teddy had eyes only
for the horse. In a moment possession
would be his and Missoula far behind
He set Off down the walk as fast as his
chubby legs would carry him.
Too late Missoula awoke to the real
tiles of her position. She broke into a
frightened run. and her voice rang out
in commando Teddy Barker, come
back! DO you hear? Come back,
sayr'
II Teddy heard he gave no sign, ex-
cept TO redouble his efforts. But verify
the way of the transgressor is hartiI
There was an innocent appearing strip
of ice cleaning In the pallid glow of
the wintry sun. Teddy's foot encoun,
tered 1t. He threw out both hands and
slid forward on his nose 1t is a tender
member, and Teddy complained loudly.
The irate Missoula was now on the
scene. Even the policeman offered his
services TO restore peace. Together they
picked up the fallen. whose cries re-
doubled under the effect of Missoula's
vigorous sbakings. The policeman in
terfered.
''.See here, now" he said good ma
turedly. "I'll have to arrest you II you
make such noise. Come and see Jim
Grow. You can have ride on him II
you aren't scarf"
Teddy stiffened at the implied insult.
That's all wanted to do" he protest
ed stoutly. only Missouly. she wouldn't
let mer
The man looked at the girl eagerly,
"Be you from Montana. miss" he ask.
ed.
Missoula nodded.
~ hail from west Texas myself" the
policeman FASTENED to explain. "but !
reckon there's much of a sameness
about them both"
Missoula Ann seized his hand joyful
iy. "T been watching you other days.
I jest knowed you was from the west
the way you sat your horse"
BY this time Teddy was safely en-
sconced on top of Jim Crow. at does
seem as If most of the folks here made
riding hard matter" the policeman
said refiectively. "And it's worse for
the horse than 1t is for them. Why. the
ladies have the poor beasts cinched up
so tight they can't draw a full breath
Wish they'd just try it on broncho.
There'd be some tall bucking." And he
laughed.
Missouia joined in. II believe could
show them thing or two myself" she
said proudly, ''even II amt got one
of them swell riding skirts. But | jest
better not be saying too much about
it." she added sadly. Il might hev
forgot. It's so long since l was on
horse. Mr.. Barker. he got one of those
automobiles, but can't abide the
creature"
The tall policeman agreed. Just give
me good horse" he declared, 'and a
clear road. and I'd ride and ride to-
'Crar out to the west" the girl in
terrupted eagerly. There was a wist-
full look in her eyes.
BE You long from there, missf' he
asked respectfully.
''only since last fall. but 1t seems an
age" Mlssoula Ann said, with sigh.
"You see Mr.. Barker, he's the biggest
man out our way. He rules jest about
everything but his wife. and she rules
him. So when she took it into her
head to cum TO New York fer the win
ter we all had to cum. | cum on count
of Teddy. Seems as il he can't get
along without me. I've he'd the care OF
him ever since he was born" She
smiled up at the child affectionately.
"Tm not saying but what / was tickled
over the idea. They'd been telling me
All sOfts Oh YOURSELVES duout tHt tity.
But it's not bit like what | expected.
Perhaps the fault lies in me, but feel
sort of smothered all the time. It's bad
enough ON the street with people push
ing of you out Of Their way, but indoors
it's worse. Things are so awful deaf
here that Mr.. Barker, for all he owns
bout whole section out our way.
can't hev a whole house to hisself. It's
worse than the boys quarters at a
roundup the way folks crowd togeth.
er. But you must excuse me fer saying
so much" she broke off in conclusion
as she looked up and met his dark eyes
fixed admiringly upon her. "Only it's
SO long since | had the chance TO free
my mind. You're mighty good to listen.
But come, Teddy, it's time we were
making fer home"
Teddy did not agree, but the tall po-
liceman cut short his remarks by lift
ing him down in Deremptory fash