The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-05-12

boiled shirt. She seemed On the point
Of addressing her admirers. but low
word from Jonsey induced her TO re-
main silent
II Is doubtful IL an explanation had
ever been given had It not been for
the presence Of mind Of Stink Bill
tngs- The conductor had repeatedly
shouted "ah-h-o-o-ad," and was in the
act Of giving an exaggerated signal 10
the engineer when Skink seized him.
The conductor was a husky gent. hay-
ing twisted brakes by way of educa-
ton before they knew anything about
hot air in railway matters. He gave
battle vigorously, and with prospects
OF success. until Skink turned the
tide by dragging out a big gun hither-
to used On refractory STEERS.
Then the conductor arbitrated, and
decided it was more healthy to wait .
few minutes. He wanted 10 accommo-
date both the train-dispatcher and
5kink. but the latter was closer. The
conductor accompanied Skink back TO
the rear platform, and Skink was so
companionable that he held tightly To
the conductors ccat-co2ar as the lat
ter advanced in front Of him.
Seeing this turn Of events, Jones
showed himself forward and made a
speech.
You fellows are set Of suckers
ne said What do you care where
Mary Brown goes?"
Turkey Bits chest expanded as he
broke in with an answer. Care?
Care? You un-Marcelled Piute.
may as well tell you this here Miss
Brown"-with the emphasis on the
Miss-'is ingsged ter marry me. I'm
the bully boy that cares some"
Every man on the platform turned
a fiery gaze on Turkey. Some fnstfnc-
lively dropped hands on their holsters.
some were amazed II looked tricky,
and like an undertake deal.
The voice Of Jones, in loud. full
lunged, derisive laughter, broke the 81
Ience.
Engaged to marry you, EN-? Wen,
that's good! That's one reason why
she's going back east with me. She's
under arrest She ran a matrimonial
bureau before she came here, has one
husband living, and is engaged to
IA other gents back there, from all Of
whom she's got money. And all the
backwoods counties aren't heard from
yet; but I'm closing the polls right
now. I'm an officer, and reckon I'm
due to get about s.. 900 reward for this
trip. and, by the way, I'm much obliged
20 you for the pass. II helped some!"
Jones opened the Pullman door and
pushed Mary inside. politely bowling
and lifting his hat to the Socorroans
as he disappeared. The conductor. be-
ing forgotten. waved his hand high in
he air, with two fingers closed in true
conductortan Delsartisn, and the
wheels revolved while socorro stood
stunned and speeches. in utter be-
wildermenL
They stood and watched the last
vestige Of smoke and dust as the train
pulled out Of sight Then Skink Bill.
tngs planted himself in front of Tur-
key Bill and said very gently: 'Pard,
was ye lyin' about that bein' in
gaged?"
Not by helIufasight." came the
sturdy response. An, what's more,
although We was keepin it a close Sc
cret, being under promise, l give Der
$500 to buy Engagement ring with"
More blank amazement, and then
loud voices in speech. 4 close tally
disclosed the fact that Of 81 men pres
emit 1s had furnished various sums for
the same purpose: I9 had promised
absolute secrecy, and the eight others
outside the engagement guild had
oaned sweet Mary Brown money with
which to bring out her little brothers
and sisters from the east
Turkey Bill silently stepped to the
EDGE OF the platform, drew from a
pocket in his shirt q three-by-four
OF Mary Brown, which he
.ore TO tatrers and scattered to the
winds. Twenty-stx other men lined
themselves up and followed his ex.
ample
Twenty-seven men fled-Indian
ashton to the 'Cowman's Rest, and
prepared for the night which was TO
De the most memorable in Socorro's
history, while g wise s{ider began
Weaving Cobwebs over the window
canes through which Mary Brown had
been wont to smile. And in the dawn
Is he started for the ranch, Tennyson
George, with q piece Of charcoal
wrote upon her door:
Mary was q little lam,
And great upon the borrow:
She gathered all the fleece We had.
And dam near broke Socorro-"
There have been but two other ex.
'tting events in the history Of SOcorro.
The first was when man was hanged
% a telegraph pole for attempting te
ell new and wonderful hair-restor-
r; the second was when & newly
rrtved teuderfoot accidentally dis.
'layed a month-o,d paper containing
he following: