Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-05-03
The Argus Daily Short Story
A Red Heifer-By Clarissa Mache.
Copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Press

'Tt certainly has our brand" persist
ed Gabriel, referring to the solitary red
spot IN the landscape.
"As well as three other brands" add
ed Jim Lewis.
"'Then why does the Widow Clancy
lay claim to the critter" demanded
Jim Lewis scornfully.
"She says it's a stray" explained
Harry Barry. Seems her foreman told
her that critter that had as many as
four different brands could rightly be
claimed by anybody that found it."
who's the foreman?" asked Gabriel
incredulously.
peter Kenny"
"I'm wondering how he managed to
fasten his thieving claws on the wild
der's money bags"
"She come out pore in health with
snug little sum that had been left to
her by Clancy, who was in the building
line somewheres east. I don't think
she's Hunger exactly, but Mrs. Clin-
took said she'd wore herself out over
taking care Of Clancy. who fell from
the ninth story of a building he was
putting up and lived ten weeks after
ward! You can imagine what a tough
specimen Clancy must have been, and
you might know 'twould wear the bux-
omest kind of a woman to skin and
bones to take care OF him." The Crane
pulled sOlemnly at his CT ette after
this long explanation.
How'd you come to know so much
about the Widow Clancy" demanded
Harry Barry suspiciously.
"I talked with Mrs. CliDtock about
her. Seems Mrs. Boss she'd been over
to call on the wilder" said the Crane
innocently.
Anybody seen the widow YETI" In
quired Jim.
There was silence for several sec
onds. and all eyes turned toward the
Crane, who was staring out across the
range.
For the Lords sake" he broke out
irrelevantly, "the COMPOUNDED critters
making of for Satan's gulch! Whoo-
peer
His horse swung around to q quick
touch, and before the others could
draw breath he was dashing after the
red spot, which was gradually becom-
ing smaller. In another instant they
were all after him.
The red heifer switched her tail
saucily and capered joyously ahead of
the pursuing cattlenen.
Crane" painted Jim Lewis In that
gent1eman,s ear when he had come
abreast OF him, you're running the red
heller or the widder's range"
I'm not. The critters running
away, and I'm trying to catch her be-
fore she breaks her neck In the guleh,"
Crane tossed back over his shoulder.
The red ,heifer gamboled in the van.
occasionally pausing to below back an
impudent defiance to her pursuers. Ga
briek explained In breathIess shouts the
different brands borne by the heifer as
II all the Lone Bull men were not &C
Quainted with the ittnerant creatures
marks Of identity.
The red heifer had been the pet |
of all the cattlemen IA Pu- |
lardo county for six months past. |
Lately her sudden appearance among |
a herd was the signal for a stampede |
for the branding iron that would mark |
her for the time being ~ the posses
don OF the ranch whose latest brand /
she bore As these brands merely |
singed the thick hair on her body. they
were obltterztsd as rapidly as her coat
enlightened Where she came from no
body coutd positively say. but It was
believed that she was d wild COW
which had Joined some herd on the
,anses unknown 10 the tenders.
Ever since the Three Star ranch,
which adjOdned the Lone Bull on the
vest. had been purchased By the wild
Nv OF one Daniel Clancy, late OF New
York city. the red heller had appar-
nifty staked claim en- the widows
property. for 1t mingled with her herds
md seemed content to remain among
he rather scrubby lot of cattle which