The Clay City times. [volume] (Clay City, Ky.) 1901-current, 1915-01-14

But at last got rid OF the obnoxious
Dunk by turning him over to my
brother.
While Dunk and my brother were
having their business talk, found that
Chip and the boys had gone on some
GRAND out on the range. In sheer
curiosity, determined now to have
look at the place where Chip lived. /
boldly entered the clubhouse and
found the foremans section. There
were no end Of surprisingly good
books.-Tennyson, Kipling. Bacon, Vol
taire and Shakespeare. And while
idly handled Shakespeare, found
drawing. 1t was captioned: THE Old
Maids Credential." And the face of
the old maid was-myself. 1t was a
caricature. pure and simple. And
should have been indignant. But l
could not be indignant, in the light OF
the fact that the drawing was surpris-
ingly good. / remembered, then, all
that Mrs. Bennett had told me OF her
sons artistic abilities. And now this
excellent drawing. though 1t ridiculed
me, corroborated Mrs. BENEFITS
praises.
OF course had not let my brother
know who Chip was. had not told
him that Chip was Mr. Claude Bennett.
the millionaire bankers son. Nor had
ever for a moment given Chip the
least reason even to suspect that I
knew who he was.
And now. as I viewed this excellent
drawing, this csricature OF the old
maid DOCTOR" who should enter. with
out warning, but Chip himself
was at first inclined to be abashed
at his finding me there in his den"
But the opportunity TO chide him for
the drawing was not to be overlooked
even to apologize for intruding III ri'
home. So, ignoring the fact that
should not have been discovered there
and should at least try to make some
lame explanation, instead said:
so excellent an artist as you, Chip,
should not be devoting his time to cow
boyiug. He should be in the art cen
ters of the world, improving the tai.
ents that God gave him" said all
this with biting sarcasm. as ] showed
him the caricature.
He looked scared. He had never
meant me to see that drawing.
It's ON me-" he blurted, abjectly.
What can / do to be saved?"
Draw some more-but choose sub
jects more worthy and subjects whom
you esteem more highly" l said.
He looked sheepish enough, and to
hide his embarrassment he now an.
nounced that he was looking for his
gun. -.
where's my six.shooter?" he muir
INJURED.
Going to shoot some one?" / asked.
I'm going TO shoot my best friend!"
he replied.
Good heavens!" protested. Your
best friend. Who, may ask, do you
deem TO be your best friend?"
| think that somehow | experienced
a little tiny feeling OF jealousy. Best
friend" seemed to me 10 be some one
in his life OF whom had never heard.
Its my horse, Silver" he said. sill
yer has broken his leg. And now I've
cot 10 kill him to put him out OF his
misery"
Nothing of the sort!" cried. now
with all nay professional aplomb
aroused. IN save your best friend.
I'll set his leg"
Impossible! cried Chip.
Nothing is impossible TO those who
will,' | retorted. by way OF reprimand.
"Noa get the boys ready To help me.
l. come right away"
Aud | ran TO the house. got my sur
gical kit and-before the shades OF
night settled on the Flying u. had set
the leg OF Silver. The animal was safe
In his stall. And the best friend Of
Chip OF the Flying 4 was saved from
untimely death.
And that night. at supper, Chip, for
the first time since my arrival at the
ranch, spoke words that we're akin to
what afterward learned he really felt.
lie said:
"Della-Miss WhitmOre-up to to-
night my best friend was Silver. But
now-Weary, you chump pass the
hash!"