The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1913-09-18

coast, while Speed on the day previous
had wrested from him the champion.
ship of the Mississippi valley.
But Mariedetta is dark" said the
college man, as he cut the cards. "She
Is almost a mulatto."
Nav! She's no dinge. She's an
Aztec. an them Aztec's is swell peo-
pie. Say, she can play guitar like
barber!"
Miss Blake told me she was in love
with Carara."
Glass grunted CONTEMPORARY. i've
got 1t on that insurrecto four ways.
Why, I'm learning to talk Spanish my.
self. If he gets lossy, I'll cross one
over his bow" The trainer made a
vicious jab at an imaginary Mexican.
He amt got q good wallop in him.
Il thought cowboys was tough guys"
continued Glass, "but it's mistake.
That little Willie, for instance, is a
lamb. He packs that Mauser for pro.
lection. He's afraid some farmer will
walk up and poke his eye out with
corn-cob. One copper with q night
stick could stampede the whole out.
ut. But they're all right, at that"
he acknowledged. magnanimously.
They're a nice bunch of fellers when
you know how to take EN-"
"The flies are awful today" Speed
complained. "They bite my legs"
I'LL bring out bath robe tomor.
row, and we'll hide 1t in the bushes.
wish there was some place to keep
this beer COOL" Glass shifted some
bottles to g point where the sunlight
did not strike them.
I'm getting tired Of training, Lar
~" acknowledged the young man,
with yawn. 1T takes 30 much time"
Glass shook his head in sympathy.
Seems like we'd ought to hear from
Covington," said he.
Hes On his way. no doubt. Isn't 1t
time to go back to the ranch?"
Glass consulted his watch mo, we
amt done but three miles. Here goes
for the rubber"
1t was Berkeley Fresno who retreat
ed cautiously from the shelter of q
thicket hundred yards up the arroyo
and started briskly homeward, con.
graduating himself upon the impulse
that had decided him to follow the
training partpers upon. their daily rou-
tine. He made directly for the corral.
(Which don't consider there's no
consideration comm to him what.
ever" said Willie that evening. HE
amt acted on the level"
Nov, see here" objected Slower,
"he may be Just what he claims he is.
Simply because he don't go skally-
sign he can't rum"
What about them empty beer
bottles?" demanded Willie. mo fel.
Ter can train on that stuff. went out
there myself and seen 'em. There was
a Dozen"
"Mebbe Glass drank It. What l
claim is this: We amt got no proof
Fresno is stuck on Miss Blake, and
he's knocker"
Then let's git some proof, and
dam quick"
Isl, Senores," agreed Carara, who
had been an interested listener.
Il agree with you. but We got to be
careful"
Willie grunted with disgust.
we can't 60 at 1t like we was Kill
lin snakes. Mr.. Speed is a guest here"
Again the little gun man expressed
his opinion. this time in violet-tinted
profanity, and the other cowboys
Joined in.
"All the same he Is a guest, and no
rough work goes. I'm in charge while
Mr.. Chaplin is away, and I'm RESPONSE
ble."
"senor BILL" Carara ventured. <"the
fat vaQuero. he is no guest. He is one
Of u.s."
That's right seconded Willie.
Hes told us all along that Mr.. Speed
was a Merc-ry-footed wonder, and If
the young Teller can't run he had
ought to have told u.s."
Mr.. Cloudy showed his understand.
ing OF the discussion by nodding 81.
lently.
We'll put It up to him in the morn.
ing" said Slower.
IT Mr.. Speed cannot r-r-run, wat
you do. eh?" questioned the Mexican.
Nobody answered. Still Bill seemed
at lossae'r words, Mr.. Cloudy stared
gloomily into space. and Willie ground
his teeth.
On the following morning Speed
sought a secluded nook with Helen,
but no sooner had he launched himself
fairly upon the subject uppermost in
his mind than he was disturbed by a
delegation Of cowboys, consisting Of
the original four who had waited upon
him that first morning after his ar.
rival. They came forward with grave
and serious mien. requesting a mo-
ments interview. It was plain there
was something Of more than ordinary
importance upon their minds from the
manner in which Slower spoke, but
when Helen quickly volunteered to
withdraw. Speed checked her.
Stay where you are: I have no 60
crets from you." said he. Then noting
the troubled face Of the foreman.