Evening star., 1933-04-02
A roMckine story
OF a western Romeo

puzzled, too. hadn't seen nothing that would
fetch Gabe's spirits up this way. But I was
kind of enjoying myself, at that. was pretty
sure he'd discovered the way to keep Kota till
after train time. Seen 1t in the Tie Sidin'
paper decided.
arrived at the ranch to get supper and ride to
the dance with Kota. And to detain him much
as possible. Gabe, he lit out early to tend to
things in town.
As luck would have 1t In the first place,
Kota was late getting home. And his nerves
was f1uttering like brides.
amt so fast at the grub racket ct best, and
1t sure took me long time to get them biscuits
cobbled. Then I knocked the coffee pot OF
the stove, so we had to wait on that But when
I couldn't hold on no longer we et Then
Kota shaved and then he was ready for his
pants
I was worried. It didn't take q half hour
to ride into town In that tin wagon of his, and
It was only about half past seven when he
reached for his pants. didn't see how was
to detain him no longer unless just went out
and committed some tragedy with that tin
wagon.
I was celebrating that Is I stood outside
the door, when heard . yelp from Kota. It
sounded as If seven dogs had their tails stepped
On all at once. I knew then that Gabe had
dxed everything, so I went inSide.
Kota had his pants In his hands, holding
them up in front Of him. They looked all
right to me. Them creases was there lust as
he had ironed them the night before But he
give them big shake and the creases stayed
there Just the same.
tSuherin snortcatsI" yelps Kota again. '"That
dirty double -crossin' coyotes sewed 'em upI"
He sure had He'd took them on that there
sewing machine, and he sewed them anil sewed
them!
never did hear such as the taIk Kota
r ,io t<o&y>
his breath smoked, II was that hot. Finally
he run out Of breath, and then I see him throw
look at my pants.
started for the door, pronto When I
got them into the saddle good and solid, I
peeked back into the door and could see him
picking and tearing at them stitches like hen
sorting worms from the dirt.
The nine O'Clock train was just coming when
rode up to the depot. Gabe was there on
the platform. and he sided up to me with
grin. See that?" he says
There was a little pint-sized feller coming
along Juggling cCupla grips like they was
feathers. And he was talkin to Mrs. Handy
who was trotting along behind him. meek a.
a rabbit
uICi FUNNY things" he was roaring, "if
can't go out to earn some money but
you ups an divorces mel should think you'd
get over it bimeby. If it ever happens agin
you're goin' along with me an live down there
with the Indians an like It'll
Startin divorce proceedin's for desertion
soon's I'm out Of sighti When theys any more
divorce business in this family IN tend to it
myself Understand"
And Mis- Handy answers very meek, aYes,
Emery"
"I guess that's telltn, 'emI"' 0abe says al
the train pulls out. How was Kotas puIse
beatn' when You left?"
at wasn't beatin,." says L "It was leapin'
like q buckin' bronc You better stay away
from him for . spell"
"Oh, it'll be all right" he says, comfortable
7 got to stop at the Chat.n Chew" he went
on as we walked along up the street. dots
took it over for spell"
'Dota" says .Aint you gettin' pretty
familiar?"
"she told me to cau her that. She's goin'
to the dance with me-"
"She's got freckles an her nose Is puggeds
II kind of like 'em that way"
"An, her mouths too big, but bet you've
took the measure Of It by this time" I sur
missed, looking him over sharp.
He got red, and then he grinned. Sure"
he said. II spent the afternoon with her. and
we found we fen tn love the first thing. she's
crazy to live on q homestead"
I was setting by the door when Kota bounced
In like bull after . red rag, instead Of .
feller coming to = dance When he seen 0abe
like the sun courting q daisy, he controlled
hissef and set down by me- took look at
his pants. They sure looked like they'd been
in front Of right busy machine gun, he'd
been that hasty with his ripping
~ kin wait" he mutters, but pretty soon
Tn takin' him outside!"
Bimeby the music stops and Gabe struts up
with Dot on his arm
"I guess you two know each other" he says,
pert as young rooster "Dot has took over
tha bots yf1ouv 1,a1t frr rI1r
An say, she's the one that has made all them
pies" The music started up again and they
waltzed off,
Kota swallowed. well, I'll be took for jack
snakes and rattlerabbits." he says in sort of
gone voice.