The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-08-10
"Big Pete" Finds Himself
BY BESS VAN BOSKIRK.

quicscence was too much for Binks' peace
of mind.
"Say, Pete! anything loose ?" he asked
Flows the Kid a-comin'? Coin ter be
Santa Clause this yere? I'll lay my spurs
to yore ole hat We done fergit it plumb
Big Pete flashed tolerant smile at the
questioner. 1t never angered him to be
teased about the kid" waif that had
been left at the N Bar sidetrack, and that
Big Pete had carried home on his saddle
He had let the child be the pet of the
bunch" until. on one memorable day, an
energetic little missionary held a Sunday
school in the big mess room. The Kid
was there. and the cowboys. too, inter
estedly watching the Circus" as one
after the other the few small folk were
catechised When it came the Kids turn
the question was startling.
What is Sunday for, Tommy p
Tommy looked puzzled. then sorry,
then hopeless. At last inspiration came
lnlO Ills Iol unu
"Ill tell yer; Iknow-it's the day when
the men shave Northumberland calves, %
he added, explosively."
That was more than Big Pete could
stand. He left suddenly, and Binks
found him later sitting on the gate of the
corral, whiting desperately.
4 - - 1 IL l..
Kid can't help it, he amt had no chance
Pore little Kid"
This was somewhat enigmatic to
Binks, who considered that the Kid had
been treated like the boss of the ranch
but next day, when the missionary left,
ardent and happy. he took the reluctant
Kid with him, and Big Pete's wallet as
we'll. The boy was to be put in IRE
spectacle family. and learned to grow
up like kid ort ter"
Thereafter. at various times, Big Pete
disappeared for a few DAYS, and after
each return would whittle furiouslv for q
week, until he had settled into the old
monotonous routine. Each disappear
ance was foretold by two or three nights
of most oppressive calm, and long hour:
of silent gazing int the fire. Each period
of absence was becoming longer and
longer, and he always came back with
out cent left in his long, limp pockets
The Yankee swore there must be an or
phanage by this time, but Binks only
spat more vociferously, and smoked
harder.
But now Big Pete picked up his stick
and looked over at his pards across the
fire, then waved his hands comprehen
sively out towards the wind and TIE
night.
This yere's a &c cemetery, amt it ? How
long since you began to plant in here"
'Oh, bout five year, more or less
Why? Feared they'll walk ?"
Nav" Pete responded CURLY. "DiC
We ever hev sarmon said over EN- ~
Binks stared.
"Wal, that's blamed-fool question
Whar 'ud we git the white-tie, do "
reckon"
81 dunno, only" Big Pete cleared
his throat and spoke half apologetically
only they amt responsible afte
they're dead. An mebbe their souls ain
easy now. going off without any-well
preachings, like, or words, to sorte
smooth the way"
Bings vainly tried to blow ring o
smoke up into the air, before he said:
Putty late now. Reckon they've got
ten their baking by this time"
But Big Pete was persistent.
THE Kids missionary says as it ain
never too late to mend a bad thing, o
do deed yer left undid. An | say it's
rum Job to leave their sperrits a wan
d'ring round wearing out boots an pas
sage way, when they might be stretched
out quiet an peaceful, like be afore thl
fire. I'm going to hev preacher com
out and read the lines an say EN- proper
an I'm a.going to do it right blamc'
quick"
Binks was silent, listening to the inter
mittent tread of the ponies and tn
steady "cheep, cheep." as they bit off tn
dry prairie grass. near the camp. Pet
shut his knife with snap, and threw hi
stick into the fire.
I'm goin' to the ole sidetrack in tn
mornin' an send Telegram ter Chey
enne. We raight jest as we'll hey ban
up man, seems there's SO many of thes
we're departed brethren. Well meet hir
with all the fellers. You kin go over t
the N Bar and stir up the bunch. Will
I'm a-gettin' news to the preacher"
Next day, Binks galloped off to the
Bar through the early twilight, and Pet
set out for the sidetrack. The agen
was not a tenderfoot, SO he sent the me!
sage as it was given him.
To any big preacher in Cheyenne
You are sent for to come out to the
bar to preach roundup funeral sermon
Come as soon as yer kin.
PETE ARMSTRONG.
The agent at Cheyenne handed tn
transcribed message to his superior wit
an amused laugh. The superior told til
messenger to take it to that tall, whit
haired DR.. Gray"
Dr. Gray read the yellow slip standin
bareheaded in his halldoor, with cur
Gus girl looking over his shoulder.
"Yes, there's all answer. Here" an
he started to write on the back of II
telegram. Then he stopped and ran h
pencil through his hair.
"Where is this N Barr"
"Sidetrack up the road apiece" 7
sponded the omniscient messenger boy.
But what's roundup funeral Sc
mon, father? Cows" questioned II
girl.
II don't know" the doctor said slov
". This looks interesting. I'll go L
tomorrow" and he scrubbed an answ
to that effect,
II Pete hung around the box-car th'