Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-02-27


and less frequently. In revenge she
made advances TO another man who
had long "loved her from afar."
This was Williail Henry Harrison
Hoover. sheriff OF the county. known
as "Slim" Hoover by the humorous
propensity of men on the range TO give
nicknames on the principle of contra
ries. for he was the latest man IN
Pinal county. Slim was one of those
neshy men who have nerves OF steel
and muscles OF iron. round. boyish
face. twinkling blue eyes and flaming
red hair gave him an appearance of in
nocence entirely at variance with his
personality. A vein OF sentiment made
him all tie more lcvable. His asso-
eiates-rarc1e-s, men Of the plains
soldiers and the owners and frequent
ers of the frontier ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
him greatly.
He's square as Slim" was the best
recommendation ever given Of a man
In that region.
Pinal county settlers had made Slim
sheriff term after term because he was
the one citizen supremacy fitted for
the place. He had ridden the range
and busted bronchos before election
After IL be hunted wrongdoers. Right
was right and wrong was wrong 20
him. There was no shading I'm the
meaning. All he asked of men was 10
ride fast, shoot straight and deal
squarely in any game. He admitted
that murder, horse stealing and brand
ing another mans calves were sub
oNfc 10
his code this law meant death only
after fair trial. with neighbors for a
jury He was not scrupulous that
judge should be present His duties
were ended when he brought in his
prisoner
Hoovers rule had been marked by
the tanning OF bad men in Florence
and truce declared IN the guerrilla
warfare between the catslemen and
the sheepmen on the range.
Sims seemingly superluous flesh
was really Of great advantage TO him.
1t served as a mask for his remarka-
BILE athletic abilities and so lulled the
outlaws with whom he had TO deal
into false sense OF superiority and
security.
Slow and lethargic I'm his ordinary
movements, in an emergency he was
quick as panther. never failing to get
the drop on his man.
Furthermore, his fat exerted a ben
eticial influence on bis character ar
keeping him humble minded. Reinr
the most popular man in the county.
he would probably have been swollen
with vanity had there been any space
F, Il - Hrrr-
He WAS especially admired by the
women. but was at ease only in the
company OF those who were mar
ried. IL was his fate TO sec the few
girls OF the region. with every one OF
whom by turns he was n love. grow
up 10 marry each some less dihident
woocr.
"Dangnation take itr' he used 60
say. Il don't git up enough spunk Co
cut heifer out o. the herd until some
body else. has roped her an slapped
his brand on 10 her. Talk about too
many irons I'm the fire, Why. I've only
got one, an It's hct up red all the
time waitin' fer the right chanct TO
use Il, but somehow never git Il out
O. the Goals. What's the use. anyhow
Nobody loves a fat man"
Slim was i1ordinately pulled up by
Polly's preference for him, which she
showed by all sorts Of feminine tyran-
MES, and he was forced continually
TO slap his huge paunch TO remind him
self OF what he considered his dis
Aiding deformity. Miss Polly" lac
would apostrophize the absent lady
'you don't know what volcano OF
seethin' fiery love this here mountain
OF flesh IS that you're walkin' over
Some day I'll erupt an Jest eternally
calcsfy you IL you don't look outr'
The sheriff took no stock I'm Buck
McKee's prOfessed reformation and
was greatly worried over the influence
he had acquired over Bud Lane, who
had before this been Sims protege.
Accordingly be readily conspired with
her TO break off the relations between
the former outlaw and he young
horse wrangler. but thus far had met
with no success.
Payson. feeling himself absolved by
the death of Dick Lane from all obliga-
lions TO his friend, began openly TO
WOO Echo Allen, but without Presum-
ing upon the revelation OF her love for
him which she had made az HIS propO-
sition to &c into the desert tc Lanes
rescue. She responded TO his courteous
advances as frankly and naturally as
a bud opens 20 the gentle wooIng of
the April sun. Softened by her grief
for Dick as for a departed brother as
the flower is by the morning dew, the
petals OF her affection opened and laid
bare her heart of purest gold. The
gentle, dinident girl expanded into a
glorious woman, conscious OF her pow
ers and proud and happy that she was
fulfilling the highest function OF wo-
manhoOd-that OF loving and aiding
with her love a noble man.
Jack Payson, however. failed to get
the proper credit for this sudden fow-
ering Of Echo's beauty and charm.
These were ascribed TO her years
schooling In the east and her proud
mother was offended by the way IN
which she accepted the young ranch
mans advances You hold voflrSelf