The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1906-08-17
SIM BARKER'S RIVAL.


" an don't see what right ye
hev to make SIGH fuss. Can't
I, like whoever want TOT"
Il spect SO; but I've knowed ye
since We 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 1
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 quarter, 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-defiant, half-laughing,
stood, tall and upright, before her long
time lover, her small, shapely, but
work-roughened hands resting on the
back of chair.
Clothes don't make a man, Lorena,
nor soft, white hands, NEITHER" retort-
ed Sim; IAN 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, 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 a man as you be. "
There is no KNOWN which boss kin
run the fastest till you try 'em in a
race" returned Sim, dryly.i 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 him?" 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 bigger'n
| wv I'LL JOu get
Sim laughed.
Eyes, Lorena, might; but guess l
won't, though he is bigger'n me. You
kin stand an be tidge If you like
There'll be some rare fun, reckon"
But, sim," and the girls face paled
she'll kill you-he's SO big an strong
an he has licked SO many better fight
srs than you be-"
"Brag is a good-lookin' hoss," re
piled Sim, with knowing twinkle II
his eyes; "but ye can't ride far OF
him."
Sim was a slender, rather under
sized man, but he had spent his whole
life In the mountains, and his muscle.
rubber. Job Allen, On the contrary
the town-bred, was fully six feet
road-shouldered and neavy-limbed
Aruly, 1t looked like a daring act To-
Sim to risk trial of strength witt
him, and no wonder Lorena, who, II
her heart Of hearts, unconsciously t
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 to-
much, Lorena. l amt a prize fighter
but 1 don't think Job Allen kin licl
me, If he can Fitzsimmons. A ma
can't allus be measured by his size
The biggest fellers are often the big
gest towards. If ye want to see tn
fun, come down to the big pine-tre
this evenin' at shutdown. I'll be thai
. an 80 will Job, If he cares more fer y
. than he does fer his own self"
That evening, just as the sun wa
= sinking behind the western mountai
a peaks, Lorena reached the great pin,
I where she waited, with a mixture q
vague emotions, for the coming Of til
!. duellers, as Sim had expressed 1t. A
: she stood looking anxiously along th
path leading up from the valley, 20
might have thought her a young pril
cess In disguise. She was a lovel
e creature, with the beauty Of the del
cate wild roses growing in such prof
SION on the mountain sides. HI
t dress, Of some dark blue materia
l. though coarse. was tastefully mad
and fitted her slender form to perfe
tioA Lorena had inherited nothir
from her father except his brave fea
u lessness and sturdy honesty. For Il
rest, she was purely her mothers chill
10 with an added beauty, grace, Al
q witching coquetry, inherited from son
unknown ancestors. With little ed
cation, and with uncultivated speec
10 Jet possessed the instincts tn