Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-02-02

would die OF fright, declares
Meta Fafbes. Il am sire would
Why. just think Of it Beauty way Of
on the very edge Of civilization, vile
animals. savages and mountain out
lRwsi No, thank You. not for me!T !.
"But David win be there, explainet
Beatrice Merrill, the bride OF a week
and she spoke in a simple contideni
way that Indicated her brave brigh'
husband to be power Of valor ant
strength in her estimation
.'Well, that IS good deal, ! vii
confess admitted Netta. eBut Davit
can't be with you all Of the time, car
he? II he's going to be the great cat
tie king he thinks he is, he must have
a lot Of work to do, I'm sure you will
faint at the first sight Of a fierce COW,
boy, and us to those Indians. think Of
seeing them creeping creeping
creeping through the grass, with their
hideous tomahawks and scalpine
knives ughIn and the imaginative
miss shivered in inclpient Mysteries.
4 Beatrice only smiled sweetly, Opt.
mistically. 4
And when the eventelIl departure
came, every stage Of the journey ac-
complished seemed to carry Beatrice
into new realm Of delight. Then
when cavalcade Of renuine cowboys
came at Last Limit to accompany
them to the ranch their honest loyal
admiration charmed the pretty bride
and she felt that she was going among
true friends.
''There are no bears,s she wrote ex-
ultingly to Meta two weeks later.
"The Indians are poor harmless crea-
lures who come to the door begging
only once in awhile, and make you
glad to be able to be charitable. And
the boys dear, rough. honest fellows.
who come around bashful and proud
of their little sister as they call me,
and who would die for me, If I asked
them, And David-oh, so grand and
splendid when he goes off on a horse
that would scare you!
''As to the mountain outlaws--booh
Once there was q few Of them, but
they have been driven off the trail.
Come out and see me, and see what
real men look likei"
David the day before had made a
famous sale and had gone off to a
distance to negotiate for new herd.
Most of the men had accompanied
him. The others had been given a
. holiday and had gone to Last Limit,
where a circus had come along.
Beatrice went about her pleasant
/. home tasks happy as a sprite, singing
merrily, planning with delight IA
nous strawberry pie Of gigantic proper
tions for her formidable horde when
they should return. rayenous and de.
lighted, at supper time. She had gath
cred a great apron full Of the rich,
luscious fruit in the ravine about q
quarter of mile from the house,
when She heard shots and shouts In
the distance.
Then suddenly Beatrice uttered q
sharp cry. There burst from copse
great, shaggy bear.
Il won't faiRtm determined Beatrice
Although I hardly know what to
do. Oh 1earr'
Seeking refuge or eatables, the
bear tore through the little house gar
den, aimed for the open cellar doors,
darted down Tho steps, and then
Beatrice ran fast as she could. reached
the house, slammed down the cellar
doors.
What an exploit to write to Meta
about What grand thing to narrate
to her husbandI
Beatrice valiantIy took down the
house rife from the antlers over the
dining room clock and placed It on
the table. Then she got the axe from
the yard. Next she added tas poker
to this warlike equipment.
About an hour later Beatrice heard
the tramp of horses and the sound OF
human voices along the trail. Six
mounted men came into view. Their
leader doffed his hat as he drove up
to the doorway where Beatrice stood
"We are looking for stray bear
he began.
"0h, yes!' announced Beatrice Gag
erly, "a great ferocious monster"
"N'ot at all harmless, toothless old
animal escaped from the circus but
valuable as a trick bear, and $100
offered for its capture"
"Why, what is this?' inquired David
Merrill, as he and his hearty crowd
sat down to the smoking supper that
evening, and he found d little heap Of
bank notes under his plate.
Then Beatrice told her story, with
dancing eyes. And David swung hei
up in the air and kissed her at its
termination, while the enthusiastic
cowboys gave "Huzza!" with an ad
smiring echo for their brave "little
sister,
az J +