The Irish standard., 1908-04-25
D. would not be there Tor refuge ana

OoH~FNAs
dinin' room gal in Placer county. shen
Vic II run the eatin' end o. K. All
you got ter do, Stella, is to boss the
whole consarn." Sally B. whisked of
to make her preparations, which began
with telegraphed order for goods
that kept several. clerks in Sacramento
busy all that afternoon.
Toward supper time the three won.
en- were in the Corral" where Sally
B. had put through" tremendous
cleaning. The room was long and
bare. with rows of neat beds, an oc.
casional chair, several rough tables
and forest Of nails uphanging various
pieces Of mems apparel
Nov you'n Viola amt to touch
them beds, but just ha'nt that Chiny
limb O. Satan, Wing, an see t he does
EN- right. I'm goin' to make Shack
Newbegin boss Of the corral, an he'll
look out for any cuss that gifts on a
bender. He'll make him take leg bail
too quick!"
shackelford Newbegin had taken
Gideon's place at the bar and had
proved exceptionally trustworthy.
"Doggone 'em! Some of 'em sleeps
In their boots, drunk or SOBER" Sally
B. continued. her mind still on the
beds. She scowled refectively, her
neat soul outraged by memories of
back aching seasons Of blanket-wash-
ing, Of ceaseless strife to keep the cor.
raj from "smellin' wuss'n a pig-pen!"
when strangers wants beds, you
two gals come together to show 'em
up, an have Wing bring up the car.
pet bags"
"Why, ma: You always bring 'em
up yourself"
That's all right; but you mind. I
amt goin' to have you an your teach.
er totin' baggage Just cause 1 hain't
got no style.''
Only the stage took the road ahead
Of Sally B. the next day. Do you
think I'm goin' ter git mixed with Gid
1ngram's OUTFIT" she asked when
some one questioned her intention to
lead. IF one O. them teams stalls, the
whole procession is hoored. No. sir
rec! got good wagons an a good
team; an I'm goin' through on time,
ami"
The tarpaulin-covered wagons were
drawn up in front of the hotel. Sally
B. inspected everything with the eye
OF an old teamster-harness, coup.
lings, the adjustment of the load.
why, ma, you looked it all over be-
FORE" Viola said, tagging her mother
like shadow.
Il know that; but accidents hap
pens in busy times. Then them pesky
hostlers might think it was funny ter
fergit something cause I'm a woman.
Men think themselves so smart! That
Shack lowed I didn't need any back.
action with my load"
well, do you, MAJ" Viola only
asked to hear her mother vindicate
herself before the admiring bystand.
ers.
well, don't I? s'pose I'm goin' to
use up yo' paws fine stock a-puttin'
all my load on one wagon? What did
he send two wagons fur If wasn't ter
use EN-? I'll work that back-action
on all the heavy spots, an git the load
an yo' paws team inter Virginia
ahead of Gid's teams, an in good
order. See If don't!"
"You bet you will, MAJ" Viola ex.
claimed with ardor and unusual slang.
The moment for starting came, and
Sally B. turned to her lately arrived
helper. Jimmy Dart, you do yo' pref.
tiest fur the shebang an I'll make ye
glad" she said, and wheeled quickly to
hug her dear women folks" Viola
she held in her arms for q silent mo-
ment.
Take keer Of her, Stella" she said
softly, placing Viola's hand in her
teachers. "She's the hull world to
me-"
Il will, Mrs. Sally" Stella saw
tear on the dark cheek as Sally B.
wrung her hand.
She was picture as she climbed
to the high seat and took up the lines,
aptly as Uncle Billy himself Driver?
What do I need Of driver? I've driv
six Golly! wish had doller fur
every mile I've driv six, the swing
team a-buckin' sometimes like fresh
converted sinner agin Ole Nick"
She wore short, dark woolen skirt,
q calico waist, white kerchief around
her neck and mans felt hat It'll
last better'n a woman's," she told the
girls. Huge-wristed gauntlets made
her hands look ridiculously small, as
did the high-booted foot that swung
out on the brake.
The sun had chased the mercury far
above the hundred mark in shady
hooks. On the porch the heat was in.
tolerable. Yet the hotel people and
town folk were gathered there to see
Sally B. of, and Vic Wah had donned
four satin coats in her honor.
Sally B. loosed the brake q trife.
called to her leaders, waved q last
goodbye and was of down the hill.
The load shook a little and settled to
its long haul, skyward as we'll as east
ward. The horses, rested and fresh,
annpfaH o~I <4ce4A <hoS. hool, -o$<IoA