The Dolores star., 1909-09-03

steaming vat. From the yards below q
narrow chute led towards him. up
which a steady stream OF sheen was
forced by the willy collies. Jim
dropped the frightened creatures one
by one into the hot sulphur dip with
the nonchalance of housewife she'll
ing peas. and shouted orders to the
Mexicans armed with throat hooks
who guided the houndering sheep
through the long, narrow vat towards
the dripping pens.
From his elevation Jim saw a vast
hock of lambs draw near outside the
dipping-station, surrounded by snap
ping collies and dark-skinned herders.
A dusty horseman plunged into view.
burly westerner. whose name was
known to every sheepman on the
range, and asked for the owner Of the
station. The owner was absent from
the valley and there was no one to
represent him. Jim called old Gomez.
who came forth with glowering face
and angry mien. The stranger demand.
ed immediate possession. He made the
startling statement that he had con.
tracted for the station for the entire
week, and drew forth written docu.
ment to substantiate his claim. He
explained his haste, and insisted that
the Mexican should give way to his
fiocks. He was under contract with
a score Of ranchmen In Colorado. A
special train was to meet him at the
nearest station. and the law required
that the lambs should be dipped be-
fore crossing the state line.
With mellifuent flow. Of Spanish
vowels. in striking contrast to his vol
canic manner. old Gomez called upon
the residents of heaven to witness his
intention, and the fires OF hell to
eternaily consume him II he budged
an inch for luridly modified Yankee.
The stockman coaxed. threatened. and
finally turned his pony's head towards
the village for legal assistance.
Jim hurried home to change his
clothes. and was quietly seated In his
office when the stranger sputtered In.
Jim explained the futility Of the usual
legal process when the ugly Mexicans
were aroused and suggested COM
promise. to which the stockman glad
ly consented. All day Jim camped on
Gomez's trail. His native instinct, H.
lumined by his Yankee wit. won the
day. With smooth words and $40 the
corrals were cleared. The delighted
stockman slapped Jim on the back
and told him to come to the hotel
that evening for his fee.
Jim hurried home to consult with
his mother. and stopped on the way
to tell Mercreda. II ought to have
$50" he insisted, for 1t was worth
that to him."
Mercreda squeezed his hand, and
his mother gazed proudly upon the
man who could earn $50 in a single
day.
Arrayed in his bravest apparel. Jim
sailed forth, walking on air. but be-
fore he reached the little 'dobe hotel
he gradually neared the earth again.
He was obliged to stop and recall
Mercreda's proud look and his moth
er's wonderment to keep his courage
at the proper pitch. What II the
stockman should offer me S5?" Jim
asked himself. A cold chill pierced
his spine at the thought.
The stockman met him with cheer
full greeting. well. SIR" he began.
when they were comfortably seated.
what do l owe you? Let's get the
matter settled"
Jim hesitated and cleared his throat.
ut saved you considerable. sir" he
ventured
Il know It did, and am willing to
pay for It," was the reply.
But Jim was loath to cast the die.
"I'll tell you what I'll do" said the
stockman; "I'll just spread out here
on my knee what I think the job IL
worth, and you can tell me II 1t is
satisfactory"
All hope of $50 vanished. and Jim
was mastering up his courage to face
Mercreda.
The stockman drew huge wallet
from an inside pocket and carefully
united 1t. Jim watched him moodily.
and saw him draw out a bill and
smooth 1t carefully upon his knee;
another one was added and another.
until five one-hundred.dollaf bills lay
clinging together. "How's that?"
|
Jim could not reply at once. By q
sudden metamorphosis the timid
sheep-dipper was transformed into the
successful young attorney. His head
was held erect, bright spot burned
In either cheek. a blaze OF triumph
shone in his eyes. His palms pressed
hard against his rigid knees in a des-
perate effort to appear calm and un-
concerned. Presently his power of
speech returned. Better make 1t an
other fifty" he said, and there was q
ring in his voice as II New Mexico
were his.
'I'll do 1t Just for luck" replied the
stockman.
Next morning when Jim went out to
food hfa fnck ho fOund N had heeu