Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-12-14
CAPTURES JIM CORSON
Cowboy Then Turned tho Tables and
Captured the Pretty Little
Teacher.
BY 1. w. D. PETERS.

good-looking face as he tried In vain
to hide his six feet of Drawn and
muscle.
Here she comes now" shouted one
Of the group surrounding him, as
pretty girl, about twenty years old.
was seen approaching from the direc-
ton OF the schoolhouse.
She was followed by troop OF
children, and her brown eyes were
alight with the JOY of life. Jim got
up hurriediy and entered the saloon
"oh. Mr.. Perkins," cried she In
clear, sweet voice. "is Mr.. Corson
theref wish to speak to him"
Nom. He just stepped down the
street"
Jim stood back from the window
ut the Highspire counter. There was
n glass of whisky before him, but his
hand trembled 80 that he could not
lift 1t to his lips.
II am so sorry. When he returns
will you tell him there is a meeting
in the schoolhouse tonight We hope
he will come and bring his friends"
Her soft tones reached place in
Jim's consciousness never touched be-
fore.
"Yes'm. I'll tell him; but why don't
you invite meT
"Oh, you'll be there" she answered
merrily.
For moment an unreasoning ha-
tired of Perkins suffused Corson's
being. He felt as II his friend were
poaching on his preserves. He turned
and strobe out of the back door OF
the Highspire saloon. leaving his
whisky untouched.
But that night at the boarding
house, when he heard her voice out.
side the dining room door, he left his
half-eaten supper and slipped out
through the kitchen. From that day
when not occupied with the bust
ness of the ranch--he spent most OF
his time lodging the young teacher
yet he longed to meet her face to
face.
His business in Tytown was to ship
the cattle sent in from the ranch to
the packers to whom they we're con
signed. One morning. hours before
1t was necessary. he started out tc
meet herd OF young steers. He
reached the meeting place tired out
and. dismounting. he stretched him
self under a tree and was soon sleep
ing soundly
Suddenly he felt q soft touch on
his brow, and. opening his sleep-be
unused eyes, he looked into twinkling
brown orbs set In pretty girl face
framed in curls that the September
sun turned into purest gold.
Am / In heaven?" he whispered
reverently to the vision.
No, but hope we shall start you
in the right direction to reach there,
answered a masculine voice, and Cor
son frowned when he realized that
the voice came from Preacher Manly
who was holding the horses In the
road few feet away.
Jim jumped up and stood hat in
hand gazing ut the teacher.
II am the school teacher In Ty
town. Miss Bremen" she explained
What fool have BEEN" muir
INJURED Jim.
MIR. Corson," began the preacher
I'VE have been trying for some time
to see you"
80 have heard" interrupted jim
grimly.
I'VE have concluded from careful
observation that you are the counter
influence in this community. judge
Il best" went on Manly oratorically
ito come to you, the fountain head
OF the saloon group, to beg that you
come to our side for the good OF Ty
town"
You mean to go to church ?" an
swered Jim, who was only vaguely
aware that the good man was speak
ing.
THAT is a step in the right direc
ton"
Well" promised Jim. his eyes still
on the confused girl, I'll be there
sure; yes. every time the doors are
open"
And that moment began the re.
versal of the order that had hitherto
prevailed. Jim attended church at
all times in the wake of the young
teacher. Once he was started In her
direction he would go in no other.
He sighed soulfully every time the
memory of her soft touch came back
to him.
One day, after Miss Bremen had
been more than usually Indifferent
to his attentions, he was sitting In his
favorlte spot outside the Highspire
deep in thought.
'Nothin' but seein' teacher is any
pleasure any MORE" he unused. after
n prolonged scrutiny of the small
building at the end of Tytowns one
street, from which came the sing-sons
voices OF children reciting lessons
Even liquor has lost its SAVIOR, and
here sit day after day lilW bumr
on log waitin' for school to let out
Just two weeks ago was a carefree
man, and II | wasn't happy was toe
much OF durn fool to know it."
Here Mr.. Corson's meditations were
broken on by the eruption of the chill
dren from the schoolhouse. The
teacher followed few minutes later
and. after locking the door hurriedly
she ran down the street as II shs
were trying to escape some one.
Before she had gone far, Jim over
took her. When he reached her side
she turned upon him.
"Mr. Corson. this amounts to per
sscution. cannot stand It. You mus,
stop following me" She pauset
k~no kAlao. har Fare auuhad har ava.