West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-03-11

spurs preparatory to saddllng up. as he
goes on the FIRST relief.
Wake up Texas an the other BOYS.
Fresno" ordered Sagebrush. The Cal
forn!an threw away the butt OF his
cigarette and shook each man by the
shoulder. With much yawning and
rubbing OF eyes the men crawled from
their sleeping bags. Dashing cold wa
ter into their faces from basin beside
the water barrel. they drank coplously
OF the coffee which Parenthesis poured
out for them.
Mostly all the boys are I'm now, amt
theyr asked Parenthesis. looking
about the group.
Yep" answered Sagebrush. wen
finish brandin' the calves today. I
reckon Fresno will have to take charge
of the drive. can't leave the ranch
until Jack gets back"
Show Low was the only sleeper who
had not responded to Parenthesls' call.
That worthy walked over and gave
him kick which brought forth a grunt.
but no other sign OF an awakening
Returning TO the fire, Parenthesls took
tin cup and poured himself out n cup
OF coffee.
Heard any word from him yetT' he
asked as he gulped the beverage.
"Nothin'," replied Sagebrush grimly
"Slim wrote from Fort Grant he was
on the trail, but the 'Paches were out.
an they wouldn't let him leave the fort
till the soldiers went with him."
"Slim hadn't oughter gone an left
things the way he did. Buck Mckee
is gettln' n lot OF bad men together an
lows he is goin' TO run fer sheriff him
SELF" growled Fresno. 81 got my eye
on that Peruna."
"Perunal Who's heI" asked Texas.
zone OF Bucks outfit" answered
Fresno. HE is mighty slick with the
runnin' iron an brandin' other folks
calves"
1--WE can't be too careful" warned
Sagebrush. Things is strained 10 the
Dustin point. an any promise OF gun
play is goin' TO set of whole lot OF
fireworks"
Show Low was on the verge OF wax
ing up. This he did by gradually in
creasing the volume of each snore and
breaking It OFF with whistle.
At the very moment Sagebrush sug-
gested gun play Show Low snorted his
loudest.
Whats thatr' asked Sagebrush.
grabbing his revolver.
SHOW Low. He's regular brass
band when he gets started-from the
big trombone down TO the tin whistle" E"
laughed Fresno.
It's n wonder he can sleep alongside
OF that noise"
HE can't" Fresno volunteered.
Hell wake himself up in n minute.
He's Off now"
The snores OF Show Low grew more
frequent until he climaxed his accom-
paniment Of sleep with one awful
snort, which awakened him. "Eh.
what's thatr' he yelled as he bounded
to sitting posture
Didn't tell you" queried Fresno.
Sagebrush grinned and slowly arose.
gathering up his saddle and rope.
Swinging one over each arm, he
started toward the corral, saying:
"Come on, boys; we got lot to do to-
day. Git your hosses"
The night riders were coming into
camp, meeting their comrades with
grunts or In a few words telling them
what TO guard against in some par
ucular part Of the grazing herd.
The sun had risen. The cattle were
on their feet browsing the short, sweet
grass, moving slowly toward the river.
Work.! growled Show Low. Darn
me II amt commenced TO hate itp'
Fresno picked up his saddle to fol-
low his foreman. but paused long
enough 10 fire this parting shot at the
cook: Say, ParenthesIs, IL them bis
cults you're maxim is as hard as the
last bunch, save four OF 'em for me.
want to shoe that pony Of mine"
Parenthesis threw a tin cup at Fres-
no, who lodged It. Punching the
dough viciously. he said: Darn this
housekeepin'! Gets n feller's hands ali
rough. It's enough TO spile the dispo-
sition Of a saint"
His soliloquy was interrupted by
Buck Mckee riding up to the wagon
from the Lazy X outfit, which was
camping mile below them.
Hello, cookiel How goes itT' was
his greeting.
You wind It up, an 1t goes eight
days" Parenthesis beloved, his tenn
per fast reaching the breaking point
Jack Payson amt back YETI" Buck
asked, paying no attention TO the bad
humor Of Parenthesis.
mot that I knows on"
The cook rolled the dough with elab-
crate care.
Nor HooverT
Amt seen him." he replied curtly.