Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-04
CURLY
TALE OF THE ARIZONA DESERT
BY ROGER POCOCK.
Authco Of Frontier ETC.
Copyright by Browne Co
BY ROGER POCOCK,

Author OF "A FrOnt1ersman," etc.
Copyright, 1908, by Little, Brown & Col

cows. but if l proceed TO unfold all 1 don't
know I'll be apt to get plumb talkative.
Wien l came up against Balshannon
castle | found 1t sure enough palace,
which, was no place for me, so ! paved
around outside inquiring Her ladyship
was to home, and l found her setting in a
fold-up chair on the terrace. 1t made me
feel uplifted to see her there nursing q
small baby, grooming fool talk to the same,
which she patted and smacked and nuzzled
all at once.
Wall" says she, a. / came looming up
accidental, ''ef it amt ole Chalkeye. Didn't
| tell you awdehs to come long ago? Now
don't you talk, or you'll spoil my kid 6
morals, cause he amt broke to hawss
thieves. Yes, you may set on that STOOL
Curly" says l, feeling scared, lis that
yo' kid?''
Sort OF. I traded for him. He's sec
ond-hand angel Now jest amt he cute?
He was sure cunning little person, and
thought me great medicine 10 play with.
"Whar is his lawdship?" says /.
Jim's down to the pasture, breaking a
fool colt and Chalkeye-oh you ole felon,
| good news. Fathers alive, yes, IN New
| York. He writes 20 say he's got a job at a
| theater, giving shows OF roping and shoot
| ing. He's the Cowboy Champion, and
| her voice dropped to q whisper-'planninG
| enormous robberies. He'll steal New York
! / reckon" ..
| Curly" says l. "spose 1 give you good
news. May hold that kid just to try?''
Now you tame yo'self, and don't get
ra'ring up too proud. Then maybe you
shall-tomorrow. Tell me yo news"
! handed her the documents which the
| governor of Arizona had made for me
| himself. Curly was pardoned. the charge
| against Jim was withdrawn, and / was
| to come up for trial when called upon. l
| shall not be called upon so long as l stay
| good.
/ saw the tears in Curly's eyes as she
read, and her lips went twisty as If she
| were due to cry.
our prayers to God. So Jim and me is free
| to go back to Holy Crawss?'
You're free"
! "Old friend" she whispered you must
| be first to tell Jim. Leave me awhile"
7 walked away into the house as II to look
| for Jim, then crept back behind a curtain
watching her. She looked away to the
| west. and I knew she was longing for the
desert. Then she kissed her baby the
nose. and once again, In the old days, ]
| heard her singing:
''wEa- y'u from little stranger-Ittle boy?
Y'u was riding cloud on that star-s.rewn plain.
| But y'u fell from the skies. like drop of rcin
/ viii va care 70 70 motheS. lille b5 ~"
| Far off I could hear the football of a
! horse.
| Y'u'u be ridiu a hswss at yo fatheh's side
! with 20 gun and 20 spurs and yo' haidstroni
VIII y,u think OF 80 home when the world rolli
Wili yu wish TO 20 lnotheh lille boy?'
| The horse was coming nearer up the
| drive.
r When y,u love iu 20 manhood, little boy,
| When y'u dream OF girl who Is anger fair
| When the stars her eyes and the winds he
| hair,
| When the sun Is her smile and yo heayen's there
| VIII y'u care 70 yo' motheh. lille boyf''
| The horseman, brought up lialf-rearing.
| stepped from the saddle then threw his
| rein in the old range way, and Balshannon
| hurried to his wife.
| THE END.