Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-08-18
SIM BARKER'S RIVAL.

S~~~O~~-~~~~@~
W ES, Sim, l do like Job Allen,
i an l don't see what right We
hev to make SIGH a fuss. Can't
L like whoever | want TOT"
Il s'pect so; but I've knowed We
since ye were as little an pert as
gray squirrel, an I've toted you on
my sled, an brought We posies an nuts,
an rabbits an 'possums, so long as l
can member"
An Job has only knowed me three
months, an driv me in his stylish
buggy, an give me a ring that cost as
much as quarter, l reckon. You amt
nothin' so good-lookin or as stylish as
Job, Sim Barker; an your hands are
big an rough, an your clothes amt
only homespun."
The girl, half-defant, half-laughing,
stood, tall and upright, before her long
time lover, her small, shapely, but
work-roughened hands resting on the
back Of a chair.
| Clothes don't make a man, Lorena,
nor soft, white hands, neither" retort-
cd Sim; AN there amt nothin' Of the
man about Job sides his clothes"
Lorena's big gray eyes flashed with
anger. Her mother, who had had
tender little romance In her life before
she married Nathan Grant, the rough
! mountaineer, had named her Lorena.
because she fancied her own early love
and sorrow like that so pathetically re-
Vealed In the tender old song, "Lorena."
You are only jealous, Sim Barker.
Job Allen Is as much man as you be-"
There is no KNOWN which boss kin
run the fastest till you try em in
race" returned Sim, dryly. I'm will
In to give Job chance to prove who
Is the best man. II he don't show his
mettle, he's a coward, and no man at
all"
You goln' to fight him?" asked
Lorena, anxiously
I'm goin' to give him a chance to
lick me-" answered Sim, quietly,
though he saw, with inward satisfac-
ton, that the girl was troubled for his
safety in a trial Of strength with Job.
You better not, Sim. He's bigger'n
yeu; an you might get hurt"
SIN laughed.
Eyes, Lorena, l might but guess l
won't, though he is bigger'n me- You
kin stand an be 1idge If you like.
Therell be some rare fun, l reckon"
But, Sim." and the girls face paled,
he'll kill you-he's so big an strong,
an he has licked so many better fight
srs than you be-"
Drag Is a good-lookin' hoss," re-
piled Sim, with q knowing twinkle In
his eyes; "but ye can't ride far on
him"
Sim was a slender, rather under
sized man, but he had spent his whole
were as strong as iron, and elastic as
rubber. Job Allen, On the contrary
the town-bred, was fully six feet,
broad-shouldered and neavy-limbed
Aruly, II looked like a daring act for
Sim to risk a trial Of strength with
him, and no wonder Lorena, who. In
her heart of hearts, unconsciously to
herself, loved the 1.-THE mountaineer-
no wonder she trembled for his safety.
He says he's even thrown Fitzsim-
MONS" said Lorena, In an awed tone
Sim laughed again. long and loudly.
Don't We go to frettin' yerself too
much, Lorena. l ain't a prize fighter
but l don't think Job Allen kin lick
me, II he can Fitzsimmona A man
can't allus be measured by his size
The biggest fellers are often the big
gest towards. II ye want to see the
fun, come down to the big plne-tree
this eyenin' at shutdown. III be thar.
an so will job IL he cares more fer ye
than he does fer his own self"
That evening, just as the sun was
sinking behind the western mountain
peaks, Lorena reached the great pine,
; where she waited, with a mixture of
vague emotions, for the coming of the
duellers, as Sim had expressed It. AS
she stood looking anxlously along the
path leading up from the valley. YOU
might have thought her a young prin-
cess In disguise. She was a lovely
3 creature. with the beauty of the deli
cate wild roses growing In such profu-
sion on the mountain sides. Her
{ dress. Of some dark blue material.
: though coarse. was tastefully made.
and fitted her slender form to perfec-
don Lorena had inherited nothing
fren her father except his brave fear
lessness and sturdy honesty. For the
rest. she was purely her mothers child,
with an added beauty. grace, and
9 witching coquetry. inherited from some
unknown ancestors. With little edu-
eaton. and with uncultivated speech.
lie Jet possessed the instincts that