The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-30

sorry, MI. BOWles, answered
Mr.. Lee. knocking the ashes out OF
his pipe, 'but I'm not taking on
any hands at present"
Perhaps there will be an open
ing for me later?"
mo; | generally take on the
same boys every year. Turn your
horse into the pasture and git
some supper at the wagon" added
the old man, with friendly
gesture; but supper was not what
Bowles had come for.
Now, really, Mr.. Lee" he pro-
tested, 81 don't think you are
quite fair to me nithis. AS un-
derstand it, your roundup is just
beginning, and / am sure / could
be of some service-for a few
days, at least"
The old man glanced at his
fancy new outfit, and thought he
saw another way out.
Can you rider" he inquired.
Eyes, SIR" answered Bowles.
ANY horse you have"
Hmm" observed Mr.. Lee, re-
garding his man with interest.
Did you ever ride any bad
horses"
Yes, SIR" lied Bowles; "sev-
eral of them"
And you think you can ride
any horse I've got, eh?" unused
Lee. well, I'll tell you, Mr..
Bowles," he continued, I've got
a horse that killed a man last
fall-if you'll ride him I'll take
you on for a puncher."
Very we'll, sir" responded
Bowles. And thank you"
He turned to go, but the cattle
man stopped him In his second
stride. His bluff had been called.
Here! Wait a minute!" he
cried impatiently. II don't want
to get you killed, so I'll give you
a job as flunky at twenty a month
and found, and II you make good
I'll put you on for horse wrangler.
How does that strike your"
"Ah-what are the duties of a
flunky?" inquired Bowles, "You
know, I'm quite content with your
first proposal"
Very likely" answered Mr.. Lee
dryly. But wait till you see the
horse. All a flunky has to do is to
help the cook, wash the dishes,
drag up a little wood, and drive
the bed-wagon."
"Why-really-" Mr.. Bowles
hesitated moment. perhaps it's
only in the name, but I'd rather
not accept such a mental position.
OF course, it's very kind of you
to offer me the alternative, but"
Now, here!" cried the cattle
man fiercely. "I'll make you as
sistant horse wrangler, at thirty
dollars a month"
Bowles stared at him for a mo-
ment. and then he drew himself
up proudly.
''lf the choice lies between a
mental position" he began; and
old Henry brought his teeth to-
gether with a click.
You poor, ignorant tender
FOOT" he raved. you don't know
when you're being treated white!
You amt worth cent to me. And
now I'm going to learn you some
thing! I'll ask my twister to put
the saddle on old Dunbar in the
morning, and you'll have to ride
him, sir. or own yourself a cow
! ard!"
Very we'll, SIR" answered
Bowles, with military stiffness. 81
will see you in the morning, then"
He strobe off down the path, his
new chaps Tapping ponderously as
lie walked.
If his victory over Henry Lee
lad given Bowles any swelled-up
ideas about taking the Bat Wing
outfit by storm, he was promptly
undeceived when he went up
against Groomy Gus, the cook.
When Bowtes came dragging up
to the chuck-wagon, Gus was re-
clining beside his fire In converse
with a red-headed cowboy.
"Ah, pardon me-" began Mr.
Bowles, "can you tell me where
will find the cook?"
The red-headed cowboy at the
wagon stood like craven image
but finally the cook replied:
you'll find him right here
Mister" he said, from foul
o'clock in the mornin' till sun
down--and then, by grab, hi
quits!"
The injured emphasis will
which this last was enunciatet
left no doubt as to the identity Of
the speaker, and Bowles murmur
ed polite regrets.
Excuse me-" he said, "but Il
there any other place nearb!