The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1913-07-18

&&E2 ger. but my valet had for
got to pack my pajamas. so | craWled
into that wagon in the wagon yard
see: never told you to bring me out
to this bloomin' farm-see:'
What is it. Mustang?' asked Foky
Rodgers. almost forgetting to smoke in
his ecstasy. What do it live on"
ITS a galliwampus. Poky," said
Mustang. Its the thing that hollers
'willi-walloo' up in ellum trees in the
low grounds Of nights. l don't know
if it bites"
Not it amt, Mustang.' volunteered
Long Collins. Them galliwampuses
has fms on their backs and eighteen
toes This here is a hicklesnifter. 1t
lives under the ground and eats cher
ries. Don't stand 81 close to It."
Sam, the cOsmOpolite, who called
bartenders in San Antoine by their
first name, stood in the door.
We'll. amt that a Willie for your
~whiskers?' he commented. "Whered
you dig up the hobo, Ranse:'
Say" said Curly. from whose pano-
piled breast all shafts of wit fell
blunted. amy of you kiddin' guys got
a drink on you: Have your fun"
He turned to Ranse. Say, YOU
shanghaied me on your id old prairie
schooner-did'I tell you to drive me to
a farm? / want a drink. I'm goin'
all to pieces. What's doin'?'
Ranse saw that the tramp's nerves
were racking him. He dispatched n
of the Mexican boys to the ranch house
for a glass Of whisky. Curly gulped it
down. and into his eyes came a brief
grateful glow-as human as the ex-
preston in the eye of a faithful setter
dog.
"Thanky. boss he said, quietly.
you're thirty miles from a railroad,
and forty miles from a %saloon,' said
Ranse.
Curly fell back weakly against the
steps.
Since you are here continued the
ranchman. come along with me-"
He conducted Curly to a large shed
where the ranch vehicles We're kept.
II don't suppose you can sleep said
Ranse, ''since you've been pounding
YOUR ear for twenty-four hours. But
YOU can camp here till morning. I'll
have Pedro fetch you up some grub"
Old "Kiowa' Truesdell sat in his
great wicker chair reading by the light
of an immense oil lamp. Ranse laid a
bundle of newspapers fresh from town
at his elbow.
Back, Ranse?' said the old man,
looking up.
son." old "Kiowa'' continued, 1--WE
been thinking all day about a certain
matter that we have talked about. !
want you to tell me again. I've lived
for YOU. I've fought wolves and In
dams and, worse, white men to pro
tect you. You never had any mother
that you can remember. I've taught
you to shoot straight, ride hard an6
live clean. Later on I've worked tC
pile up dollars thatll be yours. You'll
be a rich man, Ranse, when my chunk
goes out. I've made you. I've licked
you into shape like a leopard cat lick!
its cubs. You don't belong to your
self-you've got to be a Truesdell first
Now, is there to be any more nonsense
about this Curtis girl:'
"Ill tell you once more said RAMS
slowly. LAS l am a Truesdell and a
YOU are my father, "1ll never marry
Curtis
Good boy" said old "Kiowa."
Ranse walked out toward the jacals
A boy came running.
Manuel, can you catch Eaminos i.
the little pasture for me-"
why not, senior? | saw him nea
the puerta but two hours past. H
bears a drag rope
Get him and saddle him as quic
as you can"
"Prontito. senor.'
Soon mounted on Naminos. Rams
leaned in the saddle, pressed with h
knees and galloped eastward past til
store. where sat Sam with his guitar,
Eight miles east Of the Cibolo rancl
house Ranse lOosened the pressure {
his knees, and Vaminos stopped ind
a big ratama tree. The yellow rattan
blossoms showered fragrance til;
would have undone the. roses {
France. The moon made the earth
great concave bowl with a crystal sk
for a lid. In a glade five jack rabbi
leaped and played together like kitten
Eight miles farther east shone a fai
star that appeared to have dropped b