Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-24

not so weak and soft as look But what chance have
sdre hen When ep the big Department stores crowded
and we had to close, and Mother died-well, [
had do something. And all Aunty would let try
There! Hang the old notebook" And bang it goes,
clear across the ROOM "Drat the beasty Pencils!'
Agy sends shower of eI against the safe Darn the
old typewriter, too With which he lands kick
the tin of the machine.
"Fine." says l. But what next?'
why says Algy, NOW I'm going home and tell
Aunt Hattie that | start tomorrow to be a cowboy"
"A1gy," says |, don't
"But WILL" says he. Algy has his chin up too, and
his shoulders back, and there's businessike look to
the way he holds his jaw.
@Just as you say" says 1; "but femme give you this
tip: You won't be out among them flannel shirts two
days before they'll have you skinned alive Why,
Algy, don't you know you'd be as welcome on some
ranch pussycat roomful of fox terriers Go on,
Algy; but you're jumpin across the prairie some
night with your eyes plugged and bunch of frolcsome
beef producers behind tyin to shoot the heels off your
shoes, Just remember that you was warned .s
thing nowadays, you know. Besides, If it comes to
that, l could do a little shooting too
"What WITH says |, IAN air rife?"
And that the first time I'd ever fetched pout
out of Agy. "See here!' says he "You come up to
Henrys with now and I'll show you whether can
shoot or not"
WELL, just for the fun of it, let Algy tow up
to agallery on Eighth-ave stood one side while
the boss dug special gun that he seemed to keep
reserved for him. 1t wa 1t any .22short affair, but
real blue steel baby with life sized bullets. And
rung the bell and blew up the clay pipes that he was
some crack.
@Good work." says I. ~You must have burned some
ASK Henry" says he. at nearly five years ago
that he began to teach me to shoot.
"What about ridin' them buckin broncos, thought
says l. "You know they don't herd steers in taxcabs.
@But can ride some too says Algy. "You shall
see: Come on up to Morland's;
"Morland's, eh?" says l. "Say, Agy, why the dis
guise? Why didn't you tell us you was pute sport!
"Im of the evening instructors there, that's all,
says he. "0 course, had to pay at hrst but got
them to give lessons at odd times for half price
And say, they've just brought in mustang that's
rather lively If you don't mind waiting few minutes
too, III get into my cowboy costume and bring out my
lariat."
Say there was no hot air about Algys talk He pro-
duced the goods. couldn't hardly believe it was him.
either with them frnged things his legs, and the
spurs and the wide brimmed hat: Honest, he looked
the part and the he did that wicked eyed little
mustang you wouldn't believe. Then when it to
the asso business he had with my tongue out for
fair You've 'em twirl the rope in them gunpowder
shows they used to have at the Garden maxim loop
and jumpin through it, and all that? Well, what does
Algy do but jump the blamed pony through his loop,
and him in the saddle all the time
"And you mean to say you've always lived in New
York, toO?" says |.
@I've never been west of Paterson" says Algy "But
you see this is the sort of thing I've lived for. I've
spent all my spare time and money on it. as to be
ready when my chance came. Now, take throwing the
rope; an ex-cowboy whom found working in livery
stable taught to do that. But l had to practise
hours and hours week in and week out. was bound to
get it, though
"Guess you have" says l. "Agy, you're wonder!
Still, when it comes to mixn' with one of them ranch
crowds, | can your finish
"Oh guess can take of myself" says he am
going to try, anyhow"
EXPECT too if it hadn't been for this little session
with Algy, I'd noticed the argument pair of
gents havn in the seat from me, ridn down
in the subway One was tall, fashy dressed party,
and the other short, thckset duck that
the of Mandelbaum and converses mostly with
his hands: