The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-08-30
= OUR DAILY SHORT STORY

 Joe's jealousy made it. although when asked what rights he had he could not define them. He hinted that he would bring back no more lost cattle and was told not to put himself out in future. and he called Miss Rose a heartless flirt and rode away with his broncho's heels in the air.
 It is just as easy for a man l1 make a fool of himself on the plains of the West as al Newport or Saratoga. When Joe had cooled down he admitted that he was in the wrong. but it required more moral courage than he possessed to ride over and make a confession. In this emergency he haunted the spring until he found out from Martha, the colored woman, that on a certain day and date Miss Rosa and the sergeant were to take a two-mile walk to q cer- tain limestone cave the banks of the river.
 i Every man has friend somewhere. l if he only will hunt him up. After 1 thinking things over Joe decided to go to old man Barnes. who kept a saloon. eating house and a sort of menagerie in town, and when his case had been stated the old man replied;
 Easiest think in The world. my boy. You want to run that sergeant off the ranch and make a hero of yourself at the same time"
 But he don't look like felier who could be run" was protested. Make no mistake my boy. You can run his coat tails out straight if only you go about it right"
 But how can I make a hero of my self9"
 That s a part of the game. Now listen to me-"
 Three days later the sergeant rode up to the ranch with his chest puffed out and a complacent look on his face. He felt that he was a winner. He was going to honor the ranchman's daugh- ter by taking her into Uncle Sam's service
 His welcome wasn't quite as genial as it might have been. as Miss Rose was beginning to reel conscience stricken about Joe Whitman. She had found on mature consideration that she liked Joe very much, and when girl will admit that and be sorry that she flirted with another man at the same time, she is very near the point of loving.
 The horse was left at the stables and the pair started for the cave on foot. On the way the sergeant got ready to propose. but a rattlesnake created diversion. He made ready a second time, but a stray steer had to be clubbed away. and so the river was reached without a recruit being added to the army
 The cave contained three rooms and was accounted a wonder. A torch that had been prepared was lighted and the couple entered the dark mouth, but had hardly reached the center of the first room when they were saluted by such growing and clawing and roar i'm 1 hold them SnAlThnnnd for n- men. Then as a monster bear came rushing a them from one of the inner rooms the doughty sergeant broke fol daylight and fled at his best pace. The calls of the girl were unhecded. He hadn't served twelve years in the army to become bears meat. He wanted a wife and Company e" wanted a sect | ond laundress, but he would try to | find the woman in town. He covered the mile to the house without a break, and then mounted his gallant steed and | set off for the fort. He even forgot | to leave best wishes behind Meanwhile, Miss Rosa had stumbled and fallen and tainted away. It was as l good a chance as a bear ever had, but l this particular animal failed to take | advantage of the occasion. In the first plce. he was muzzled and | In the next Joe Whitman was hanging on To the enQ or loHB IOpe to his collar, When he had fulfilled his infusion he was tied up and Joe went out and shouldered the still un- conscious girl and had borne her nearly home when she revived. As she opened her eyes and wonder | ed how she had tasted to the bear. Joe pointed out the sergeant riding away. He also displayed his bloody hunting knife.
 l 'Oh, Joe. but the bear-the bear"' | gasped the girl on his arm 'I came along just in time to kill il. | Thank Heaven. you are not hurt. Here YOU are at home I am glad was of service to you, but [ can't come in. | After what was said the other day"
 You will come in, of course, There may be another bear around" 1 There wasn't, but during the next | hour Joe had talk with the Colonei | and both oi ther1 shook hands at the | end of 1t and said they were glad That night when Joe led the bear back to | the town and his cake the owner gruf- l fly queried:
 Well did 1t work?' l "Reautifully.'' | Then hand over the ten. When you
 want second wife come to me and we l will put up some other job to get her. ] Copyright, 1906, by P. c. Eastment. Have Seen Everything Else. DO you think you and I will evel | (hiC) see flying machines"
 "Yes--if the saloons hold out"