Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-03-31
SIM BARKER'S RIVAL.
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u an l don't see what right We
hev to make SIGH a fuss. Can't
l like whoever l want to?"
Il s'pect so; but I've knowed We
since ye were as little an pert as a
gray squirrel, an I've toted you on
my sled, an brought ye poses an nuts,
an rabbits an 'possums, so long as
can member"
An Job has only knowed me three
months, an driv me In his stylish
buggy, an give me ring that cost as
much as a quarter, reckon. You amt
nothln' 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-def1ant, 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 q man, Lorena.
nor SOFT white hands, neither" retort-
ed 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 a
tender little romance in her life before
she married Nathan Grant, the rough
mountaineer, lad named her Lorena,
hac2use 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 a 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 a chance to prove who
Is the best man. If he don't show his
mettle, he's a coward, and no man at
all"
you goin' to fight him2" asked
Lorena, anxiously.
I'm goin' to give him chance to
lick me-" answered Sim, quietly.
though he saw, with inward satisfac-
ton, that the girl was troubled for his
safety in trial of strength with Job.
You better not Sim. He's blgger'n
you; an you might get hurt"
Sim laughed.
Yes, Lorena, l might; but l guess l
won't though he Is bigger'n me. You
kin stand an be jidge II you like.
There'll be some rare fun, l reckon"
But Sim," and the girls face paled,
hell Kill you-he's so big an strong.
an he has licked so many better fight
ers than you be-"
"Brag Is a good-lookin' boss" re-
piled Sim, with 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
life In the mountains, and his muscles
were as strong as Iron, and elastic as
rubber. Job Allen, on the contrary.
the town-bred, was fully six feet.
broad-shouldered and neayy-limbed.
Aruly, 1t looked like daring act for
Sim to risk a trial of strength with
him, and no wonder Lorena, who. In
her heart of hearts, unconsclously to
herself, loved the 1.-THE mountaineer-
no wonder she trembled for his safety.
HE says he's even thrown Fitzsim-
MONS said Lorena, III an awed tone.
Sim laughed again, long and loudly.
Don't ye go to frettin' yerself too
much, Lorena. amt a prize fighter.
but l don't think Job Allen kin lick
me, II he can Fitzsimmons. 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 pine-tree
this evenin' at shutdown. I'll be thar,
an so will Job, II he cares more fer We
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 1t. As
she stood looking anxiously along the
path leading up from the valley, you
might have thought her young prin-
cess In disguise. She was a lovely
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-
tton Lorena had Inherited nothing
from 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
witching coquetry, Inherited from some
unknown ancestors. With little edu-
eation. and with uncultlvated speech.
IL Jet possessed the instincts that