Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-08-04

RideI l couldn't sidestep jab from
a fveyear-old kid That's what your
ranch has done for me"
II was Chad Murchison. a COW.
puncher from the Circle Bar outfit,
who first suggested that McGuire's Ill
ness was fraudulent
His arm" said Chad, "is harder'n
a diamond. He interduced me TO what
be called shore perplexus punch, and
twas like bein' kicked twice by
mustang He's playin' 1t low down on
you, Curt. He amt no sicker'n am"
One day about noon two men drove
up to the ranch. alighted. hitched and
came in to dinner. standing and gen.
eral invitations being the custom Of
the country. One of them was a great
San Antonio doctor, whose costly serv-
Ices had been engaged by a wealthy
cowman who had been laid low by an
accidental bullet. He was now being
driven to the station to take the train
back to town. After dinner Raider
took him aside, pushed twenty dollar
bill against his hand and said:
Doc. there's a young chap in that
room l guess has got bad case Of
consumption. I'd like for you to look
him over and see Just how bad he is"
"How much was that dinner I just
ate, Mr. Raidler?" said the doctor
bluffly, looking over his spectacles.
Raider returned the money to his
pocket. The doctor entered McGuire's
room, and the cattleman waited. ready
to reproach himself in the event the
verdict should be unfavorable.
In ten minutes the doctor came brisk
ly out. Your man." he said promptly,
SIS as sound as a new dollar. His
lungs are better than mine. Respira'
tion, temperature and pulse normal
Chest expansion four inches. Not a
sign Of weakness anywhere. OF course
didn't examine for the bacillus, but
1t isn't there. You can put my name
to the diagnosis"
The branding season was at hand,
and the next morning Ross Hargfs,
foreman Of the outfit, was mastering
his force of some twenty-five men at
the ranch ready to start for the San
Carlos range, where the work was to
begin. BY G O'Clock the horses were
all saddled, the grub wagon ready and
the cowpunchers were swinging them
selves upon their mounts, when Raid
Ter bade them wait. He walked to Nc
CURES room and threw open the door
Mcclure was smoking.
"Get up" said the cattleman, and his
voice was clear and brassy.
"Hows that?" asked Mcclure, lit
tie startled.
"Get up and dress. can stand Q
rattlesnake, but l hate liar" HI
caught Mcclure by the neck and stoot
him on the floor.
"Say, friend" cried Mcclure wildly
"are you bughouse? I'm sick-see
I'll croak If l got to hustle. Whatv'
| done to yer?"-he began his chroni
whine. "I never asked yer to-
"Put on your Clothes" called Raider
Mcclure tumbled into his clothes.
"Take this man." said Raider t
Ross Hargis, land put him to work
Make him work hard, sleep hard an
eat hard. You boys know done wha
/ could for him, and he was welcome
Yesterday the best doctor IN San Ar
tone examined him and says he's &c
the lungs of a burro and the constitr
ton of steer"
saw" said Mcclure, looking intentl
at Raider with peculiar expression
"the croaker said l was all right, di
he? Said was fakin', did he? Yo
put him on to me. You fought
wasn't sick. You said l was liza
Say, friend, talked rough, l know
but didn't mean most Of it. II yo
felt like l did-aw! forgot-I ain
sick, the croaker says. Well, frien'
now I'll go work for yer. Here
where you play even"
He sprang into the saddle easily
a bird, got the quirt from the hor
and gave his pony slash with
Cricket" who once brought In Goo
Boy by a neck at Hawthorne-and
10 to ! shot-had his foot in the sti
rups again. Mcclure led the cavalcat
as they dashed away for San Carlo
and the cowpunchers gave yell {
applause as they closed In behind hin
But in less than mile he had la
ged to the rear and was last ma
! when they struck the patch Of big
chaparral below the horse pens. B
hind a clump Of this he drew rein an
held a handkerchief to his mouth. e
took 1t away drenched with brigl
arterial blood and threw 1t CAREFUL
into a clump Of prickly pear. The
he slashed with his Quirt again, gas
ed "G'wan" to his astonished pony ar
. galloped after the gang.
That night Raider received a me
sage from his old home in Alabam
There had been death In the far
lily. An estate was to divide, and the
called for him to come. 1t was tv
months before he returned. When
arrived at the ranch house he four
it we'll nigh deserted save for Ylario.
"By the way" said Raider, sudde
ly remembering, that fellow Sc
:, along with them-McGuire-is
, working YETI"
II do not know" said Ylario, "b'
theenk that fellow Mcclure he de,
-, much time age"
"Deadp' said Raider. What "
n talking aboutT
a "Verree sick fellow. MCGUIRE" I
II piled Ylario, with shrug Of his shot
!. der. II theenk he no live one. tv
o month when he 60 away"
q "Shucksv said Raider. HE hui
bugged you. too, did he? The doct
" ayamipad him and said no waH HOlYI