The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-02-13

was that he had been badly treated.
And they, being a people Of extremes.
were as prone to favor him as they
had been before to condemn him I'M
heard
The next winter was a hard one.
An ealay blizzard occasioned the loss
Of a great many animals. 1t came sud-
denly and caught the stock grazing at
distance from shelter, and, unprotect-
ed, they were frozen by hundreds At
the first sign of danger Tucker sum-
moned his herders for the purpose OF
getting his animals under shelter. But
Madge was In his mind. He knew that
she had few assistants and would be
liable to a severe loss. Sending his
men out to drive In his stock. he rode
toward Madge's ranch.
Reaching her house, he learned that
she had ridden forth with but two
herders, all there were in her employ,
to save her property. Following the
tracks in the snow over the bleak,
rolling ground-he could see nothing
distant through the dense fiakes-he at
last reached point where he heard
voices. Riding on, he presently came
upon a man driving flock Of sheep to
shelter.
where's your mistressT" asked
Tucker
"Oyer there" replied the man, point
ing, and Tucker, following the tracks,
soon came upon the other herder with
another flock OF sheep. Tucker re
peated the question as to Madge's
whereabouts and was told that she
had gone of after some stray ewes
and lambs. Fixing his eyes upon the
tracks, Tucker started anew.
Meanwhile the mercury had been
rapidly sinking and now stood far be-
low zero, while the wind was blow
ing a gale. Troubled as to Madge's
safety, Tucker hurried on. He could
not see fifty yards ahead Of him for
the snow, but the tracks were an In
fallible guide.
Suddenly he came upon Madge's
horse standing shivering In the biz
gard fuckers heart sank within him.
He believed Madge was near and fear
ed the worst. Not far distant he came
upon a heap Of something covered
with snow. Throwing himself from
his horse, he brushed the white cover
ing from the pile and came upon
Madge and half dozen lambs all "
ing In a heap. Most of the lambs were
frozen stiff. Madge was asleep beside
them.
Tucker grasped her and, shaking her,
raised her. She opened her eyes. BE
had taken the precaution to bring a
flask with him and poured liquor Into
her mouth. Then, forcing her to walk
the few steps to his horse, he placed
her In the saddle, wrapped his over
coat about her for additional protec
ton against the wind and started for
the ranch house. But he had not gone
far before she showed signs Of drowsi
ness, and, climbing up behind her, he
rode in that fashion, both supporting
her and guiding the horse.
The snow was by this time deep, and
the tracks had been obliterated. Tuck
er had no guide except the contour Of
the country Fortunately he struck a
creek, and this gave him his direction.
The whirling fakes were confusing,
but he pushed on, and at last, seeing
through the snow barn that he knew
was near the ranch house, he cried for
help. In another moment rescue
party came to his assistance.
When the blizzard had passed and
the ranchers took account of losses it
was found that the most esteemed one
among them had been saved by the
one who had at one time been the most
condemned. Furthermore, the prin-
cipal part Of her stock had been saved.
From this time Tucker became the
most popular man among his neigh
bors, and 1t soon became known that
the breach between him and Madge
Hardesty had been healed.
The wedding was unique There
were ranchers present, md herders,
and horsemen, few gamblers indeed,
all persons who pass current In a Wild
west community For bridal trip
Tucker took his wife to his home in
the east. His relatives and friends ex-
pected to see something very crude.
They were surprised to find fair
amount Of refinement, which was re-
enforced with plenty Of character and
feminine strength.