Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-01-04


raphy, punctuation and photography
as correct as young lady's applica-
ton for a position to teach, with a
photograph inclOSed. After reading IL
Bolt turned to his partner and hold
ing UP the counterfeit presentment
remarked to Harris that she looked
like a flour time winner" why
shouldn't he write and tell the lady
TO stand not upon the order Of COM
ing, but come at once? This course
was finally agreed upon and a missive
was sent To ascertain II a bargain
could be struck and contract entered
into for better or for worse, sight
unseen.
In due course reply came announc-
ing that the writer would depart the
following week. destination the Big
Hole basin, with instructions to have
someone meet her at the stage station.
some two miles distant from Harris
ranch, upon the arrival OF the stage
coach. Harris made all necessary prep
arations 10 meet the coming bride. II
had been so long since he had had
the exquisite pleasure Of conversing
as he termed It, with real lady, that
his expectations as to this particular
one were pitched to the highest key,
and he pictured in his minds eye
his bosom friend and mining partner
would be.
Making all haste to meet her at the
station at the time when she would
arrive, he struck out on a pair of skis
OF his own make, across the snow to
the station, carrying on his back an
extra pair Of web shoes for the lady,
for the snow had fallen to depth
of three feet on the level and had
formed a crust, making skiing the
only way Of travelling on foot.
The suns rays were dipping behind
the mountains when he reached the
station, but the lingering twilight of
this northern latitude glows far into
the night, and he had no fear Of los
ing the trail on his return.
The stage driver had changed horses
on the divide and from wheeled
coach to a wagon box on bob sleds. |
When the overland" pulled up at
the station, the Pilgrim Lady alighted
and made inquiries for Mr.. Bolt Harris /
alighted and introduced himself as
Mr.. Bolts partner telling her that he /
was waiting for her coming and was
ready to pilot her to Bolts cabin. |
about two miles up the river beyond !
his own.
Il am pleased to meet you and ac-
cept with pleasure your kind offer"
said the lady How far is it to the
rancho Mr.. Bolt has written to me
he would have a minister here tonight
to perform the ceremony but no doubt
you have been informed all about the
matter. Had we not better go on to-
night
Eyes, If we can make It," replied
Harris. Il brought along pair OF
web shoes for you. It requires no skill
TO walk with them on the level. I will
assist you to put them on, then we
hitch I'D a team of horses and drive
you to the upper ranch tonight"
Fitting on their snowshoes they
struck out, arriving at the Harris
ranch in about an hour, Then he inn
went to the corral and with
the assistance Of Pinto Pete, a half
breed bronco buster. In his employ,
assoed two glass-eyed cayuses for a
team. After blindfolding them and
them to a pair Of bobsleds,
md putting hay In the wagon box to
'eplace the springs, Harris got, IN tax
ng two or three turns Of the lines
about his arms and gripping them
With big buckskin gloves, called to the
ady in the cabin to come and get IN
She obeyed the summons instantly,
ucking her clothes snugly around her
elf. and pinning her ven tight about
Ter face.
treat for TenderfoOt
"Pete, are the bars all DOWN." asked
Harris.
you bet" said Pete.
slip the blinds and let EN- go.
The cayuses stood squatting like
few minutes, then like winged crea-
ures they almost flew across the
now, the snow picked up by their
eels flying back in the faces OF the
river and the lady, almost binding
hem, and obscuring the dim outlines
( the trail, but Harris was an expert
nth the ribbons and held them In a
Feline for the upper ranch.
They eliminated distance like an 18-
our limited. and in an incredibly
hort space Of time the cabin was in
n this train and stopping was out
( the question. Past the cabin they
lew and 1t was turn UP country for
IarriS and his friends bride-to-be.
throwing all his strength on one line
e pulled the broncoS over and began
, describe a circle.
The causes could run as well on
urve as on a straight line and again
nd again they rushed past the cabin.
Larr1S grew desperate. Inc meIry-Ro- !
ound was likely to last all night. He
Iaited until they were nearly oppo-
tie the cabin again, then he shouted:
"Jumpl I can't stop"
The lady jumped Just how she
Imped Harris never knew. He was too
usy at the moment to look, but when
e glanced back for second he saw
pair of black stockings waving above
snowdrift in which he rightly sur
used the lady belonging to the legs
as buried. Not being able to help her,
ne situation being embarrassing In
ne extreme, Harris headed his steeds