Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-11-12

I
him years ago down in Texas"
He'll be back by noon"
Thank you. madam. Fact is. we
were very much surprised to see your
chimney smoke. We thought this ex-
! quisite place was quite unoccupied.
Indeed"
Who's 'we'?"
"oh. we're the outfit riding for Cen
eral Schmidt. We've come in search
of the spring feed We were informed
I that Ponder's place was unoccupied,
open to all Am | mistaken in sup
posing that this is Ponder's placer"
"It is"
"Er-may l venture to ash II your
husband holds squatter's rights, OF
has the homestead and presumption ?"
You may ask my husband"
Thank you, madam. Our foreman
instructed me to say that If the place
proved TO be occupied. was to ask
terms for pasturage. We've only two
hundred head"
Mr. Smith will consider the mat
ter"
We're camped in a little cave at
! the south end OF the bench, deuced
comfortable"
OF course / know I'm fool, and
expect to be treated as such But
this man claimed to have camped at
the South Cave without passing this
house, which was impossible.
"Camped at South Cave?" said l.
In that event | need not detain you
! Mr. Smith no doubt will call on you
after dinner. Good morning, sir"
But this was not TO his mind, and
! gathered vaguely that my husband
was not really wanted at the Bay Y
camp. | even suspected that this Wis
| itor would rather deal with me than
see my husband. II required more
than a hint TO secure his departure.
Jesse returned at noon. He re-
ceived the story OF our caller with
the noises of one dispieased THAT
visitor Kate" he summed up, would
make tirstclass stranger. Knew me-
you say, in Texas"
Hearing from her kitchen Mrs
oFlynn's sharp grunt of dissent,
closed the door
You've left the key-hole open, said
Jesse, rising from the table. come
for walk"
Now, Kate. dear" Jesse sat down
beside me on the Apex Rock, this
morn you got your first lesson In rob
bers. How would you like a visit To-
old Cap Taylor at Hundred Mle?"
My voice may have quivered just
a little. Danger" | asked.
Il dunno as there's actual danger.
but II jest knowed you was safe. I'd
be free to act prompt"
Tell me everything, Jesse"
up at the north end OF the bench,
there's maybe two hundred head of
strange cattle One pedigree short
horn bull is worth all of twenty-five
hundred dollars. and there's Here
ford stud Id take of my hat to any
where's There's Aberdeens or Angus
Il get them poll breeds mixed-and a
bunch OF Jerseys grazing apart, purity
as deer. Anyways, that herds worth
maybe two hundred thousand dollars.
every hoof OF 'em stolen. and II you
|
California l doubt you'd get that
value"
mo stock owner needs that amount
OF stud cattle. We don't raise such
In the north. so they've been drtfted
In here from the States. They're
gaunt with famine and driving. and 1t
beats me to think how many more's
1 laF 10
country. The Bar brands has been
faxed The parties herding EN- waits
till I'm away. and tries 10 make a
deal with you for pasturage. The
gent with the sad eyes is sent dressed
up to fool woman.
Nov, Kate" his great strong arm
closed round me Ike a wise THE
hun country knows you're clear grit.
SO there's no Shame In leaving For
nay sake, dear"
"Do you think ia leave you in dan
ger?"
He sighed Il knew it. / cayn't
help Il. and. Kate, it's the truth. I'd
rather see you dead than scared.
There's Madam Grizzly, and Sonora
Cougar. there's Lady Elk. and even
Mrs, Polecat. brave as lions. I'd hate
TO have my mate the only one to run
like " scalded cat"
The program. Jesse?"
DO you remember Kate. how we
lost five dollars finding out that Dale
and me is signalers 2"
And Captain Taylor gave us the
signals to yise the district; one fire
for feasts. two for help. three foi
Varl"
That's it. little woman. BY dusk
I'll be on top OF the cliffs. and make