Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-08-12

nearest station. and the Inv required
that the lambs should be dipped b.
fore crossing the state line.
With meIlihuent how. Of Spanish
novels. IN striking contrast TO hia vol
canic manner. old Gomez called upon
the residents Of heaven to witness hia
intention, and the fires Of he'll 70
eternalIy consume him II he budged
an inch for q luridly modified Yankee.
The stockman coaxed. threatened. and
finally turned his pcny's head towards
the village for legal assistance.
Jim hurried home to change his
clothes, and was quietly seated In his
ONCE 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
~ consented. All day Jim camped on
Gomez's trail. His native instinct, IL
lumined by his Yankee wit, won the
day. With smooth words and $40 the
corrals were cleared. The delighted
stcckman 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. Il ought to have
$50" he insisted, for It 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 If the
stockman should offer me $5?" 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.
at saved you considerable, sir" he
ventured.
II know 1t did, and / am willing to
pay for it," vas the reply.
But Jim was loath to cast the die
It'll tell you what I'll do" said the
stockman; "Ill just spread out here
on my knee what l think the Job IL
worth, and you can tell me If It 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 It. Jim watched him moodily,
and saw him draw out bill and
smooth 1t carefully upon his knee;
another one was added and another,
until i've one.hundred-dollar bills lay
clinging together. "How's thatg"
asked the stockman laconically.
Jim could not reply at once. BY .
sudden metamorphosis the timid
sheep-dipper was transformed into the
successful young attorney. His head
was held erect d bright spot burned
in either cheek, blaze of triumph
shone in his eyes. His palms pressed
hard against his rigid knees In des-
perate effort to appear calm and un-
concerned. Presently his power OF
speech returned. "Better make it an
other fifty" he said. and there was a
ring in his voice as If New Mexico
were his.
"Tll do 1t Just for luck" replied the
stockman.
Next morning when Jim went out to
feed his flock he found 1t had been
augmented by 900 ewes, each bearing
on Its left ear old Pedro's brand, A
trim mustang was tethered near the
gate. A scrap Of paper chung to the
hridle on which was scrawled In
Pedro's writing, II mex prezent to my
son Jeem."
Jim swung himself into the saddle.
Twice round the little flock be raced
and disappeared down the road In .
cloud Of dust. The mustang seemed
to know its riders mind, for when
they reached the hedge in front OF
pedro's cottage he leaped 1t like q
rabbit. A moment more and jim
stood on the tiny porch with his arms
rr..o~aHa