Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1913-07-18

ing less than 100 pounds. was seer
walking up from the station, wher,
the %stagecoach had Just stopped.
Can you direct me to the cabin Of
Joe Wheeler she asked when she
reached the group.
The ONE looked 1t one another
inqulringly. None Of them appeared
30 have heard Of Mr. Wheeler.
"He came here some time ago from
Ohio"
"Ohiog' exclaimed a chorus Of voices.
'Oh. he's gone to Denver. But he's
coming back to develop his mine. He's
been getting capital for IT,"
"Yes. I've heard about that" re-
marked the stranger in a quiet voice.
(Which is JOe's cabinT'
They pointed to Ohio's abiding place.
and the woman went on. directing her
steps toward IL. One Of the others
called after her:
YOU'D better not interfere with any
thing that belongs to Ohio. He's just
awful"
us he?" said the other in the same
modulated voice, and proceeded on hel
way.
Goodness graciousF' exclaimed the
woman who had warned her. IF she
touches anything there, when he comes
home he'll kill her"
"Don't you believe It." said Mrs.
Mullignn. ITS my opinion that there's
somethin' In the comm o. this Teddy.
II a man hasn't got anything there's
nobody to take an interest in i'm. but
Just as soon as prosperity comes to I'm
a woman appears, and it's likely TINT
she's got a string tied to i'm. I'm
thinkin' that the leddy's goin' to clip
his wings, so he won't be fyin' so high
as be was"
The stranger. finding Ohio's door Sc
cured with n paddock. left 1t to return
with a bit Of iron. with which she re-
moved the staple; then went in and de-
iberately took OF her hat and wraps.
Women 10 the surrounding cabins
were cycling her with wonder. while
groups OF citizens were gathering to
see what next would happen. But
the stranger went about making her
self comfortable. apparently uncon.
scious Of the awful doom hanging over
her.
'0There'l be a MURDER" exclaimed
Mrs. Walker.
Don't y believe It," said Mrs. Null
ligan. "She's his wife"
"How do you know that2"
II can tell II. because she's not
a-feared Of i'm. She's got a cinch on
I'm, you may be sure. Mebbe it's un
paid alimony; mebbe it's bigamy; any
way. she's got the whip hand Of i'm
and like enough without either the ali.
mony or the blgamy either. Wait and
see."
The stranger was seen to be hunting
In Ohio's larder. She got out a can Of
tea and other articles and proceeded
to prepare q meal. When she brought
forth a ham that had not been cut and
began to silver savory slices a shiver
passed over the lookers-on. Ohio had
secured the ham at a great price be
fore leaving and had warned the camp
that II he found on his return that It
had been mOlested he would break "
cry bone in the body Of the mOlester.
The next day when the stage arrived
Ohio was aboard. Several persons who
remarked him hurried up the gulch to
spread the news and see the fun when
he found his cabin had been jumped.
The consequence was that every man.
woman and child turned put and gath
cred about the Ohio homestead. When
the proprietor came up and saw the
crowd he asked what was the matter
Being told that his cabin had been
opened. his supplies used and his bed
slept In, his anger rose, but when in
formed that his ham had been cut and
partly eaten he roared like a bull
Rushing to his cabin. he opened the
door. which the lady within immediate
~ shut behind him. Since the calico
curtain to the window had beer drawn
tho audience were cut of from wit
Messing what was going on inside.
Most of them listened for shrieks, but
no shrieks were heard. Ohio and the
jumper remained unseen for some ten
minutes; then the two came out to
gether. The change In the former was
marvellous. He had entered the cabin
like a lion and had come out like a
lamb.
Scents and ladies." he said. ''allow
me to Introduce to you all my wife"
Loving wife," the stranger sug
MY loving wife," Ohio went on
"For several months I've enjoyed"-at
a look from the wife he changed the
word enjoyed to ~surered-"a period Of
bi~essedness."
"Cursedness," the lady suggested.
"Cursedness. 1 am happy to say that
I shall have her assistance In work
Ing and developing my mine, which
has thus far made a fine showing.
hope you'll all come and pay your re-
spects to Mrs. Ohio-I mean Wheeler"
That was the last Of til domination
the people OF Lucky Gulch by Ohio.
In Mrs. Wheeler he found a tanner
that made him very tractable. 1t turn
ed out that she held over him no such
as unpaid alimony or bigamy.
but ruled him Just rs other wives rule