The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-08-22

SlQe sat LldI! La, "'o '>1-'
who seemed to be his friend. They had The aP-
pearance OF men to whom LIE had appeared as
reversible coat-seamy both sides.
Amt seen you in about four years, Ham,, said
the seedy man. (which way you been traveling:
Texas" said the red-faeed 1T was too
cold in Alaska for And l found 1t warm In
Texas. I'll tell you about hot spell went
through there.
One morning 1 steps off the International at
waterfank and lets it go without me. Twas
ranch country, and fuller of spitehouses than
New York City. Only out there they build EN-
twenty miles away so you can't smell what they've
got for dinner instead OF running 'em up two
inches from their neighbors' windows.
There wasn't any roads in sight so l footed
il cross country. The grass was shoe-top deep,
and the mesquite timber looked just like a peach
orchard. 1t much like gentletnans pr-
vate estate that every minute you expected Ken
neliul OF bulldogs to out and bite you But
must have walked twenty miles before l came IN
sight OF ranch-house 1t little one, about
as big as an eevated-rairoad station.
There was little man in a white shirt and
brown overalls and a pink handkerchief around
his neck rolling cigarettes under tree in front OF
the door.
".Greetings' says I. Any refreshment' well
come. emoluments, even work for conpar-
ltve stranger"
..Oh. come in says he, in a refined tone. Sit
Iown on that stool, please. l didn't hear your
lorse coming
He isn't near enough yet, says I. I walked
don't want to be a burden, but wonder II you
ave three or four gallons of water handy
..You do look pretty dusty says he; but out
bathing Arrangements
Its drink want says l. Never mind the
dust that's on the outside
He gets me a dipper OF water out OF red jar
hanging up. and then goes on:
do YOU want work:
For time says I. This is rather quiet sec
ION OF the country isn't it,
1T is says he 'Sometmes-so l have been
told-one sees human being pass Tor weeks
At time I've been here only month bought
the ranch from an old settler who wanted to move
farther west
at suits me says I. Quiet and retirement
ire good for man sometimes: And l need
SNo-
lob, can tend bar, salt mines lecture, float stock
do 4 little rniddlc-weight smuggling, and play the
piano
"'Can YOU herd Sheep asked the little ranch
man
DO YOU mean have I heard Sheep says l.
".Can YOU herd 'en-take charge of flock OF
en- says he.
oh saws l. now I understand. You mean
,hase EN- around and bark at EN- like collie dogs
Well | might says l. I've never exactly done
arv sheep-hcrding but I've often seen EN- from
car windows masticating daisies. and they don't
look dangerous
I'm short herder' says the ranchman. You
never can depend on the Mexcans. I've only got
two focks. You may take out my bunch OF NUT
tons-there are only eight hundred OF en-in the
morning if you like. The pay is twelve dollars
month and your rations furnished. You camp in
a tent on the prairie with your sheep. You do
vour own cooking, hut wood and water are brought
to your camp It's easy Job
I'm on says |. Ill take the job even If l
have TO garland my brow and hold on to crook
and wear loose-effeot and play on pipe like the
shephcrds do in pictures.
$50 the next morning the little ranchnan helps
me drive the flock OF muttons from the corral to
about two miles out and let 'em Craze on a little
hillside on the prairie. He gives me lot OF in
structions about not letting punches OF them stray
of from the herd, and driving EN- down to a
water-hole drink at
"'ITl bring out your tent and camping outfit
and rations in the blackboard before night, he.
Fine says I. And don't forget the rations.
Nor the camping outfit And be sure to bring the
tent Your names Zollicofer. amt it,
My name says he, is Henry Ogden
"Ar right, Mr.. Ogden says l. Mine is Mr..
Percival Saint Clair
81 herded sheep for FIVE days the Rancho
Chquito; and then the wool entered my soul. That
getting next to Nature certainly got next to
l was lonesomer than Crusoes goat I've