The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1914-06-11

Him.
Slower bowed again ana
something about the honor of this
meeting. and Miss Blake cast her
eyes over the other members of the
group, saying, graciously: I'm afraid
l can't introduce your friends; l
haven't met them"
The %loQuacious foreman came
promptly to the rescue, rejoicing in an
opportunity of displaying his oratori-
cal gifts.
"Then I'll make you acquainted
with the best brandin' outfit in these
parts" He waved a long, bony arm
at the Mexican, who flashed his white
teeth. "This Greaser is Aurelio Maria
Carara. Need I say he's Mex, and a
premier roper?" Carara bowed, and
swept the ground with his high-peaked
head-piece. "The Maduro gent yonder
Is Mr.. Cloudy. His mother being a
Navajo squaw, named him accordin' to
the rights and customs of her tribe,
selecting the title of Cloudy-but-the-
Sun-Shines, which same has proved a
misnomer, him bein' a pessimist for
fair" :
Miss Blake and her companion smil-
ed and nodded, at which Slower, en-,
,couraged beyond measure, elaborated.
Hes had a hist'ry, too. When he
reaches mans real-estate the Injun
agent ropes, throws, and hog-ties him.
then sends him east to be cultivated,
He spends four years kickin' a foot,
ball" Speed interrupted, with an
exclamation of genuine interest.
"Oh, It's true as gospel" the foret
man averred. when he goes lame
in his off leg they ship him back. and
in spite of them handicaps he has be-
come one rustlin' savage at q round
up"
What college did you attend?" in
quired Speed, politely. The question
fell upon unresponsive ears. Cloudy
did not stir nor alter the direction Of
his sombre glance.
HE dom talk none," Slower explain,
ed. Conversation, which I esteem as
"a gift devine, Is a lost art with him.
I reckon he don't average a word a
week. What language he did know he
has forgot, and what he amt forgot
he d%istrusts."
Turning to the near-sighted man
who had been staring at the college
youth meanwhile, the spokesman
took a deep breath, and said, simply
yet proudly, as if describing the piece
de resistance of this exhibition:
"The four-eyed gent Is Willie, plain
Willie, a born range rider, and the
best hip shot this side of the Santa Fe
trail!"
Speed beheld an understood man of
indeterminate age, hollow-chested,;
thin-faced. gravely benignant. 1t was
not alone his glasses that lent him a;
scholarly appearances; he had the
stopped shoulders, the thoughtful in
tensity Of gaze, the gentle, hesitating
bac~kWardness of a book-raised man.
Speed acknowledged the introduction
pleasantly. while the benevolent little
man blinked back of his lenses.
Slower addressed himself to Miss
Blake.
." told the boys what you said,
miss, and we four has come as a dele,
cation to find out If it goes"
"Mr. Speed and l were just talking
about it when you came" said Helen.
I'm sure he will consent If you add
your e%ntreaties to NINE"
1T would sur be a favor" said the
cow-man, at which the others drew
nearer, as If hanging on Speeds an,
swer. Even Cloudy turned his black
eyes upon the young man.
The object of their cooperate gaze
shifted his feet uncomfortably and felt
minded to flee, but the situation would
not permit of it. Besides. the affair
! interested him.. His mind was work,