Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-04-27
NUMBER II.

materials that could not be packed on
horse.
"They amt usin' any wagon" he
fairly shouted They're goin' away
in the leather"
The idea of carrying out the tradi.
tIons Of the horse in Pinal county even
to wedding journey tickled the boys
immensely.
Slapping one another on the back
and nodding their heads in approba-
ton, they shouted: THAT'S the ticket!
Hoorayw
"This amt no New York idea, where
the bride an groom hits the life trail
in iiired hack!' cried Fresno
| Mems feelings apparently were not
yet fully soothed. Turning to Sage
brush he said: "Whecls don't 90 I'm my
family. Why. her ma an me were
married on hocsback. The preacher
had to make hurry job Of it, but 1t
took"
flush. now" was Parenthesis' awed
comment.
For her pop was a-chasin' US an
kept It up fer twenty miles after the
parson said Amen"
"Did he ketch you" asked Fresno,
with great seriousness.
"He sure did" answered Allen, with
twinkle in his eye, "an thanked me
for takin' Josephine off his hands"
The boys laughed. The joke was
upon themselves, as they had expect
ed to hear a romantic story Of earlier
days.
When the laughter had subsidized
Show Low suggested, III We can't dec.
crate the wagon. let's put some fixin's
on the ponies"
The proposal was received with more
whoops, shouting and yipping. They
waltzed about the smiling rancher.
That's whatw cried Sagebrush en-
Enthusiastically.
Allen grew sarcastic, remarking, II
reckon you all must have stopped some
time at the water tank"
Renewed laughter greeted this sally.
"This is my first weddin'," explained
Sagebrush rather apologetically.
81 want to knoww exclaimed Allen
in surprise.
"Tm tellln' you. never seed we'd
din in all my life," replied Sageorush,
as seriously as If he was denying
80 %
"Mother used to tell me about her'n,
an often wisht had been there"
Fresno shouted with amusement He
had Sagcbrush ratified. The coolest
man on the range was fiustered by the
mere thought Of attending Il wedding
ceremony.
"He's plum lococd over this one.
Amt you, Sagebrush?" he drawled
tauntingly.
Sagebrush took his gliding in the best
of humOr. 1t was n holiday, and they
were with people Of their own kind.
Had stranger been present the re-
marks would have been resented Bit
terly. On this point cowboys are par
ticularly sensitive. In the presence OF
outsiders they are silent, answering
only in monosyllables, never leading
In any conversation, and If any COM
ment is necessary they make 1t indi-
rectly.
"Well. amt no society bud like you
are" laughed Sagebrush. The others
Joined with him in his merriment over
Fresno's discontinue. "Weddin's amt
so frequent where come from as they
Is in Californy."
cts the climate" answered Fresno,
with broad grin.
$50 you amt never been at we'd
din'?" asked Allen, who was looking
for another opening TO have more fun
with Sagebrush.
Again the cowboy became serious
and confessed: "Nope; I've oficiated
at several plain killin's an been chief
usher at lynchin', but this here's my
first weddin', an I'm goln' to turn
loose some an enjoy It,"
Sagebrush grinned I'm anticipation
Of the good times that he knew lay in
store for him at the dance.
You're fixed up as IL you was the
main attraction at this event." said
Allen, looking Sagebrush over care
fully and spinning him around on his
heel.
"Aln't I mussed up fneY answered
Sagebrush.
you're the sure big turkey" inter.
rupted Parenthesis.
Served up fine, with all the TRIM
MINIS" laughed Fresno, taking another
jab Mt his friend.
Their sport was broken up for the
time being by the appearance Of Polly
at the door Of the ranch house. Hello,
b0ysw she shouted, with the fascinat-
Ing cordiality of the western girl
wherein the breath of the plains. the
rurity Of the air and the wholesome.
ness Of life are embraced in a simple
greeting ard the clasp of a hand.
The cowboys took off their hats and
made elaborate bows to the young wo-
man. "Howdy, Miss PollyT they
cried.
You sure do look pert" added
Sagebrush with what he considered
his most winning smile. fresno s"lek-
cred and hastily brushed back the hair
from his forehead.
"Where's jack" she asked the two
men, who at once ranged themselves
one on each side Of her
"He did not start with the boys
explained Allen. Hell be along soon,
Polly"
"Well, now, when it comes to look
ers, what's the matter with Polly
HopeT exclaimed Sagebrush s!yly.
Chances Of admiration were cast at
the girl who was dressed simply and
plainly in little white gown which
Mrs. Allen had made for her for the
wedding Polly's youth, good nature
and ability to take care Of herself
made her favorite on the ranch.
She had no need Of defenders. but II
an occasion should arise that Polly
required knight there were score
Of guns at her service at an hours
notice.