Arizona republican., 1909-03-19

rvSULD Bill lived with his wife and daughter
kNCAN on a feeder OF Double Mountain Creek,
ESh NlHs in the northwestern part OF Texas.
EEWSNJHl He dressed in antique black frock
ENSNllkIS coat and a Panama hat. Both
EZSSS dated from "beo' the wah. subj there
mistake about that Herode about
tle ranges and the prairies ancient bronco,
qte antique his clothes, but antique that the
cowboys said the pinto had been in the Ark.
His family daughter, and II he ''cussed'
p -th her, there many young who would have
light themselves blessed ii Amandy Higginson had
huch smiled on them. She plump and fair
Id very engaging, and called her mother Nav and
her father Paw. And girls were scarce around Dou-
bic Mountain while at that time cowboys were plenti
full, and Texas was not yet fenced in and sheep
not ousting cattle.
When old Bill was happy he said "Amandy" was
the apple OF his eye. He said she the finest girl
between the fory-ninth parallel and the Mexican Dor
der, and was going TO marry rich man. When any
cowboy round with counting look in his eyes
and necktie Bill developed madness,
III stand this hyer crowd of with shotgun, Mary
he said his wife. "Amandy Is the girl TO wed mil
IONS There's no girl like Amandy. Cowboys is p'isin
TO me, and I'll make EN- food for cayoots if they KEN
ianguishn araound this raynch You tell EN- So dye
hear? III feed EN- the beasts OF the field"
He snOrted and his white eyes looked very fierce.
The young men in chappareros and guns fought shy OF
him. Il Is hOrrid to be confronted with gun when
one comes courtng for It IS OF course almost mpos-
sble TO kin ones prospective father-in-law, without
discouragi1g the lady.
when Nor-hers over and the prairie flowers were
out and al things heavenly and the cattle were
h lively and the wind sweet Aa4dy Put on and hf took SUN
little walk OF Tie prairie away from the creek
Good day An1ardy,7 sid Billy.
"Oh, its you" said the ungracious An1andy. Pears
Texas free and without guards. Whar did you spring
FROM
y wuz Jest a-ridin' by" began Billy.
you alters Is jest a-ridn' by said An1andy. An
If you amt Jest aridin by its Nj Gapin IS, or Mr..
Gaylord or Morgan Harris"
'Waal knowed as your Paw wuz away Painted
Rock, Anlandy, and I tho't II wuz' good time to
hev little talk with you and clear things up For
I'm gettin' fair desprit, Am1ndy, and owns II.
'eThats what Morgan says. and Merrick and Tom
u all says il, and what I've got to dew with you
5ein desprit beats me, Billy Prentiss. Caynt girl
go a-wakin the perairie owned by her own father
without ben confronted with cowboys sayin they re
desprt, and dom nothn' but sayin they despTit!
"Tis your fault I'm desprit,' urged Billy: You
know l loves you morn loves my own life. I've
said it repeated to you an SEE it agin
Amandy tossed her pretty head and replied
SOS Joyce and Merrick and Morgan and the lot of
YOU an il payssed word 10 you the others would
be desprit. And l don't love one, and il did t
would be good. for Paw allows ez you knows Mr.
Prentss, that he'll blow hole threw any cowboy as
be ketches sight OF within hundred rods OF me. And
to-day he's very mad about everything and was out
rageous in denouncin you and Joyce before ne pulled
out for the Rock. So It amt my fault, tharP
81 don't the snap OF my finger for your Paw
and his gun said Billy III you says you'll love me
law 'thout bein reckoned mean man An he caynt
neither, for kin take care o myself and he kn0"se
It"
Amandy fred up
q suppose you reckon If he came after you, then.
you'd lust Up and shoot him frst?" she asked.
"rd hev to, maybe declared Billy apOlogeticaly-
"Whati shoot my old Paw"
Not less he pulled on me, Amandy
"The idea o my merryin man that allows he'd
shoot nv Paw" said Amandy The idees redickuus.
EXPOSE NV Paw to danger Not but that the danger I'D
be OF ben' tried for KILN you for he's deadly with
weapons"
"'Deadl, be consarnodl" said Prentiss. "The ole
Vaoot caynr shoot for sour apples he only gun hes
any good with IS bis mouth.
That lets me out" said Arandy furiously; "don't
you speak disTssPeeful OF my Paw You and me e he
she tossed her head as I knows Of You caynt be
nsultin' 10 Paw and stay in with me-
Billy in distress, all allowed wuz as he caynt Shoot
any and tibet he's gay and free with his tongue, IS
everyone round these parts knows as well as me-
But Amandy wouldn't listen. -
III you amt civil Paw you caynt get me TO talk
she declared and I'll be thankful if, when we meets.
you'll payss BY, Mr. Prentiss I'm fair sick OF des-
p-rstion mixed with oncivity my parents, Tor you
never even much as pays the time OF day with my
pore Nav
Billy exploded.
WHY Amandvl Lords sakel how kin !, when your
Paw sets outside with his hair a-bristing and gun
ready to shoot if We Aems within hayf a mile: Its
fair ridcklus 10 speak So"
But at that Amandy turned short and walked towards
the house.
"Oh, Arnandyw said Billy
She paid TO attention.
"Oh, Amandy. Arandy Amandyl" he repeated.
Miss Hggnson il you please" said Amandy codly
Miss Higginson, then" implored Billy, leading his
horse after her.
Nor Miss Hgginson don't work neither" said
Ainandy triumphanti.
And then Billy stayed in his tracks and said
When he had recovered himself little, Amandy was
ing her Paws house without a look in his direc-
N air desprit," said Billy Prentss
l. then aware OF horsernan coming up behind
: - an easy walk As he mounted. thes met face
s1ace and though Billy did not know who the man
son.
The stranger started and said hastily that he want
lookin' for anything but Bill Higginson's place.
"Waal thets it and you're welcome it." said Billy,
as lie put spurs to his bronco, and loped off. The
stranger pulled his horse round and stared after him.