Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1934-09-06


"Tierrick put Heeseman's outfit to
cutting and peeling logs. He wants
more horses and barns for them.'
"Thet's good. It'll keep that outfit
from ridin' down Limestone way. An
the cowboys-where have they been?' p
PLENTY of work around, but little
riding, except after the hounds. | had
a chase after jackrabbits with the
boss"
Hounds an jacks What next?
However. It's not so bad. Anythin' for
us but regular ranchin'. Hawl Hawl"
"Herrick took me up to see his
guns" went on Jim, easily. with fur
tive eyes On Hays. Have yon seer
them7"
yes Funny lot OF knIckknacks.
There's Il thing I'm goin' to own,
though"
Jim laughed. He did not need to
ask any more. Suddenly then a tiger
ish sensation shot through his vitals.
1t WIS like an unexpected attack.
I'D like TO own all that stuff,n he
said, carelessly.
Three days Of genuine labor around
the ranch followed. But on the fourth
day, Herrick approached Jim.
wall, | wan you to go to Grand
Junction tomorrow after my sister, he
said. Take the cowboy Barnes with
you. His home Is In Grand Junction.
Have him hitch the black team to the
blackboard and start early"
Boss, | reckon III go along with
WALL" Hays said, coolly.
Hays. did not ask your services"
returned Herrick. You are needed
here" His tone as much as his words
settled the matter.
Jim purposely delayed his hour Of
quitting, in order to avoid Hays.
After supper Hays lighted his pipe
Then. without facing Jim. he said.
Jim. had the boss mentioned this
here trip before?"
No. | was as surprised as you"
Wal, suppose you make some ex-
cuse an let me 20 insteadf"
But Herrick won't like that, Hays
protested Jim. HE turned down your
proposal cold"
Shore. He did. DIN funny, | take
tibet, too. But II you wouldn't or
couldn't 90. I'd be neYt choice
Hays, you surprise me. Here You
are on the eve Of a big deal-the big
gest of your life. And you risk anger
Ing Herrick at this stage"
Hays pulled his pipe. He was
beaten.
WAL" he said. finally, 7 reckon
mebbe you're right, Jim. Only it didn't
seem So"
BY sunrise next day Jim Wall was
on his way to Grand Junction. Young
Barnes, the cowboy, had his hands
full with the spirited team.
Presently Jim's ever-watchful eyes
caught dust far ahead. and dots Of rid
ers getting off the road into the cedar
thickets- They would be Smoky's out
tit, Jim calculated, and gave them
credit for seeing the blackboard first.
They did not appear again, and Jim
knew they were hiding on their way
back to Star ranch.
AT four o'clock they drove into
Grand Junction, which was consid-
larger and buster than Green
River.
Barnes, here we are said Jim.
This Is a metropolis. compared to
Green River"
"Fust I've been home fer long, re-
Joined Barnes "Ill take care of the
team at my paws"
Barnes drove off down the road and
Jim leisurely entered the lodging
house, which, 1t turned out, was run
BY a bnxom woman who made herself
agreeable. She was loQuacious, and
very shortly Jim gained the surpris-
.ng information that no cattle herds
mad passed through Grand junction
his week.
After supper Jim turned In.
Awakening early he got up and
.eisurely shaved and dressed, paying
more than usual attention to his ap-
o%earance- He was there to escort an
girl fifty miles across the
wilderness to Star ranch. One thing
lie was sure OF, and that was that 1t
would be vastly better for Miss Her
lex than Ii Hank Hays had been
tent. Suddenly this fact struck Jim as
Was he any better than
Tank Hays7
After breakfast he went out and
ound q boy to shine his high-top boots
nd brush his dark, worn suit and his
lack sombrero. Presently, then, he
ncountered Barnes.
"Howdy, boy. Did you have a nice
lme homer
Gee, | did," grinned the cowboy.
You sure look bright this morning."
wal, you look kinda spick an span
~ourself. Jim" drawled Barnes. 4Funny
ow the idear Of a CURL gets a Teller"
FUNNY You mean terrible, my
riend. A woman Is as terrible as an
rmy approaching with banners"
Gosh, who'd ever dreamed you had
EN- inside a Bible?" exclaimed the
Dwboy.