The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-15
BRUTALITY OF A COWARD
Story of Lucy La Baum and
Her Sweetheart.

The cloud grew fast, and as it spread
out over the prairie and boiled towards
the heavens in great ocean like waves
vast sheets OF flames flashed about il
making picture of block and red above
the landscape that would have charmed
z nartist. The wind grew more violent
tsnd the cloud assumed an appalling ap-
pearance.
The experienced ranger realized that the
prairie was on fire. and a gust Of wind
lifted the great cloud there was revealed
TO the Texan a large herd of cattle and
drove OF horses in terrorized stampede.
Recalling that the only houses in that
section were located beyond running
> stream, he concluded to get upon his horse
and watch the sublime and destructive
spectacle.
Suddenly Carlin inclined his head and
gazed towards a part Of the wild scene
where the flames appeared the most vio-
s.snt and the panic the greatest. A NOV
ing object was partially concealed by the
cloud of smoke and the sound of a hui
man voice reached his ears.
The wind swept the cloud away for a
few moments and he saw wagon which
contained three persons moving at fright
full speed parallel with the line of fire.
The driver stoo in the front part of the
vehicle, flashing the flying horses. while
a boy was on his knees by the side of a
little girl. The horses We're frantic with
terror and probably beyond the control
OF the man who sought to guide them
The ranger dashed across the plain to1
a. h. 10 ~,
he wondered why the driver did not guide
bis horses in a different direction. but
'oncluded that the man was confused by
the cloud of Smoke or unable to force the
frightened animals TO quit a road they
were following. To Carlin il looked as
II the red flames were scorching the Ger
rorized horses. and to add to the horror
of the situation the staampeded animals
were crowding about the wagon.
Realizing that the wagon was liable to
be overturned at any moment and the oc-
cupants trampled to fragments or torn to
pieces by the wolves. the ranger urged
his horse 10 the top of his speed. He was
nearing the distressed people when he
saw the wagon bounce into the air. and
the little girl roll out on the prairie
Instantly there was a struggle between
he boy and the driver The boy tried to
Stop the horses. but the man held the
lines. Shaking his head, he continued 10
lash the animals with the fury of a mad
man. The boy. vaulting from the wagon.
ran to the little girls side. Swinging her
upon his shoulders. the boy bravely faced
the rapidly approaching triple danger. !
The child chung to his neck and ne braced.
- III
hands
He had struck an OK with his fist and
had broken VOLTS jaw with a kick
when painting horse pressed between
him and his foes. He heard pistol shots.
and he saw cattle falling TO their knees.
The little girl was lifted from his
shoulders and he heard the words: Your
foot in my stirrup and jump behind me
quick.
ma few moments the boy and the little
rirl were resting on the same eminence
occupied by the ranger when he set out
TO rescue them. Their story was soon /
told
The little girls name was Lucy La
Baum, and she was the daughter Of a
wealthy rancher who lived on the north /
side of the prairie only few miles away.
She had been visiting relatives who rel I
sided in the belt timber on the south side /
of the prairie John Luce. who was a
renter on the La Baum ranch, happened .
20 pass the house where little Lucy was 1
visiting The child recognized the man. 1
and. being homesick. prevailed on her I
relatives to let her ride home with him.
Luce was accompanied by Eugene Har- I
Ian. an orphant boy of fourteen years. .
The youth was known to Lucys friends /
as good boy and this fact serve dto in /
fiuence the child's relatives TO grant the .
request. Gene. you must take care of /
little Lucy and don't let her fall out Of
the wagon said the motherly soul when
the child had been placed in the vehicle
Theb oy promised He had often seen
little Lucy at her home and he felt proud
Of the honor of being her protector during
the short journey.
When they saw the cloud Of smoke ris-
Ing above the prairie the boy called Luces
attention to il and begged him TO turn (
around and go back 70 the timber. The
obstinate man dashed his horses into a
gallop. 1.-The boy tried TO induce him to
drive towards the hills. but he continued
the little girl was thrown out on the
prairie Eugene WAS not strong enough 70
take the lines from the inhBmaR coward.
but. remembering his promise, he instant
y leaped 10 the child's side
When the IRE passed and the smoke
feared away. John Carlin found Luce's
-emssns in the debris Of his wrecked
wagon. He then took the rescued children
o Colonel La Baum ranch, where he
old the story of their narrow escape.
The childs parents were deeply moved
nd sincerely conscious of their indebted
,ess to :he heroic youth Finding that
eugene positively refused TO accept any ,
hing for what he had done. and that he
llrea6y had a good home. Colonel La ,
Baum Offered &c send him TO the best coli ,
When the boy was about 10 leave the :
iouse little Lucy followed him &c the {
ate. Il won't ever forget YOU. Gene, ,
he said. and you must not forget me. :
lou must come 10 see mme. I am nearly
line now. but after awhile ! viii be a +
rown woman. and you must be sure to I
ONE to see me then. The boy bent /
yer and kissed the child's cheek. and {
her walked down the road whistling 4
When he Spanish war broke out s
,ugene Harlin was one of the first TO en- g
ST. He caught a bullet on San Juan hin !
nd a fever in the marshes Of Santiago, &
Ut these misfortunes did not cool his ar 5
or Stin burning 10 win distinction in 4
he service for his country. he Joined c
,efment that was soon after sent to the
hilippines. Il
After this event Lucy La Baum lost C
efsf Of her hero for long time. She be- Z
lzne an orphan and inherited a fortune II