Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-03-09

and show him the trail. l didn't in
tend to get mixed up with a game
warden. I've had all the confinement
I need"
"Well, it's a closed incident now"
interposed Ross. "We won't reopen it.
Make yourself at home"
The stranger, hungry as he was, ate
with unexpected gentility. and as the
hot coffee sent its cheerful glow
through his body he asked, with liven-
ing interest, a good many questions
about the ranger and the forest service.
"You fellers have to be all round men.
The cowboys think you have a snap,
but l guess you carr your money"
"a a that builds trails, lays
bridges. burns brush, fights fire, rides
the roundup and covers s~eventy-ive
miles Of trail every week on $50 per
month and feeds himself and his
horses isn't what | would call enjoy
ing a soft snap"
what do you do it for?"
God knows. I've been asking my
self that question all day today"
"This playing game warden has some
outs too. That was a wild crowd last
night. The town is the same old hole
it was when ! knew it years ago. Fine
girl of Lie Wetherford's. Lie has
changed terribly. | didn't expect to
see her have such a skein of silk as
that Oirf Shn c11uA lnOi-c tho 1, %o
me-"
Cavanagh did not greatly relish this
line of conversation. but the pause en-
abled him to say: Miss Wetherford
is not much western; she got her train
ing in the east. She's been with an
aunt ever since her fathers DEATH"
Hes dead, is hep"
$50 far as anybody knows. he is"
"Well he's no loss. l knew him too.
He was all kinds Of a fool. He got
on the wrong side Of the rustler line
up. Them Wetherford women think
a whole lot of you. Pears like they'd
both fight for you. Are you sweet on
the girl?"
ANo", oCC Z. III Lldu, 1kOSS IT,
torted sharply, you want to do a lot
of thinking before you comment on
Miss Wetherford. l won't stand for
any nasty clack."
Edwards meekly answered: II wasn't
going to say anything out Of the way.
I was fixing for to praise her"
"All the same, l don't intend to dis
cuss her with you," was Cavanagh's
curt answer.
The herder fell back into silence
while the ranger prepared his bunk
for the night. The fact that he trans
ferred some of the blankets from his
own bed to that Of his visitor did not
escape Edwards keen eyes, and with
grateful intent he said:
81 can give you a tip, Mr.. Ranger"
said he, breaking out of a silence.
"The triangle outfit is holding more
cattle on the forest than their permits
call for"
How do you know?"
II heard one of the boys Dragging
about it."
Much obliged" responded Ross.
'Tll look into it."
Edwards went Furthermore,
they're fixing for another sheep kill
over there 90. All the sheepmen are
armed. That's why l left the coun-
try. | don't want to run any more
chances of being shot up. I've had
enough Of trouble. l can't afford to
be hobnobbing with judges and juries.
I'm just a broken down old cowpunch-
er herding sheep in order to keep clear
of the liquor belt"
This seemed reasonable, and the
ranger remarked by way Of dropping
the subject: I've nothing to say fur
Their than this-obey the rules of the
forest and you won't get into any fur
Their trouble with me. And as for
being shot up by the cowmen, you'll
not be disturbed on any national for
est, There never has been a single
herder shot nor a sheep destroyed on
this forest"
I'm mighty glad to hear that" re-
piled Edwards, with sincere relief.
I've had my share Of shooting up
and shooting down. All | ask now is
quiet and the society Of sheep. | take
a kind Of pleasure in protecting the
fool brutes. It's about all Pm good
for"
He did indeed look like a man in the
final year Of life as he spoke. Better
turn in" Cavanagh said in kindlier
tone. I'm an early riser"
The old fellow rose sti1Iiy and, lay
ing aside his boots and trousers, rolled
into his bunk and was asleep in three
minutes.
C%avanagh himself was very tired
and went to bed soon after to sleep
dreamlessly till daylight. He sprang
from his bed and after a plunge in the
stream set about breakfast, while Ed
wards rose from his bunk grooming
and signing and went forth to wran-
gle the horses. rubbing his hands and
shivering as he met the keen edge of
the mountain wind. When he returned
breakfast was ready, and again he ex-
pressed his gratitude.
G1Havap,t Won onu cJ;ol-orS, ool-o1