The lonesome trail and other stories

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Title:TheLonesomeTrailandOtherStories
Author:B.M.Bower
ReleaseDate:December31,2004[eBook#14542]
Language:English
Charactersetencoding:ISO-646-US(US-ASCII)
***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHELONESOME
TRAILANDOTHERSTORIES***
E-textpreparedbyAlHaines

THELONESOMETRAILANDOTHERSTORIES
by
B.M.BOWER(B.M.SINCLAIR)

AuthorofChipoftheFlyingU,TheRangeDwellers,HerPrairieKnight,The
LureoftheDimTrails,TheHappyFamily,TheLongShadow,etc.


NewYork
Grosset&Dunlap
Publishers
1904

CONTENTS
THELONESOMETRAIL
FIRSTAIDTOCUPID
WHENTHECOOKFELLILL
THELAMB
THESPIRITOFTHERANGE
THEREVELER
THEUNHEAVENLYTWINS


THELONESOMETRAIL
PARTONE

Amanisverymuchlikeahorse.Oncethoroughlyfrightenedbysomethinghe
meetsontheroad,hewillinvariablyshyatthesameplaceafterwards,untila
wiselyfirmmasterleadshimperforcetothespotandprovesbeyondalldoubt
thatthedangerisofhisownimagining;afterwhichhewillthrowuphishead
anddenythatheeverwasafraid—andbequiteamusinglysincereinthedenial.
Itistrueofeverymanwithhigh-keyednature,adecentopinionofhimselfanda
healthyprideofpower.ItwastrueofWillDavidson,oftheFlyingU—
commonlyknownamonghisassociates,particularlytheHappyFamily,as
"Weary."Astothecauseofhisshyingatacertainobject,thathappenedlong
ago.ManymileseastoftheBearPaws,inthetownwhereWearyhadminced
painfullyalongthestreetsonpink,protesting,baresolesbeforethefrostwas
halfoutoftheground;hadyelledhimselfhoarseandrunhimselflameinthe
redoubtablebase-ballninewhichwastomakethattownsomedayfamous—the
ninewheretheyoftenplayedwithseven"men"becausetheothertwohadto
"bug"potatoesordosomeothermenialtaskandwheretheumpirefrequently
engagedinthrowinglumpsofdriedmudatrefractoryplayers,—therehadlived
aGirl.

ShemighthavelivedthereacenturyandWearybeennonetheworse,hadhenot
acquiredtheunfortunatehabitofgrowingup.Eventhenhemighthaveescaped
injuryhadhenotpersistedingrowingupandup,astraightsix-feet-twoof
lovablegoodlooks,withthesunniestoftempersandblueeyesthatreflectedthe
warmsweetnessofthatnature,andasmiletotellwhattheeyesleftunsaid.
Suchbeingthetemptinglengthofhim,theGirlsawthathewasworthaneffort;
shetooktosmokingthechimneyofherbedroomlamp,heatingcurlingirons,
wearingherbesthatandbestribbonsonaweekday,andinsistinguponcrowding
numberfour-and-a-halffeetintonumberthree-and-a-halfshoesandmanagingto


lookasifshewereperfectlycomfortable.Whenagirldoesallthosethings,and
whenshehasagoodcomplexionandhairvividlyredandlong,heavy-lidded
blueeyesthathaveafashionoflookingside-longataman,itwerewellforthat
mantotravel—ifhewouldkeepthelightnessofhisheartandthesunnylookin
hiseyesandhissmile.
Wearytraveled,butthetroublewasthathedidnotgosoonenough.Whenhedid
go,hiseyesweresomberinsteadofsunny,andhesmilednotatall.Andinhis
hearthecarriedadeep-rootedimpulsetoshyalwaysatwomen—andsocameto
resembleahorse.
Heshiedatlong,blueeyesandturnedhisownuncompromisinglyaway.He
neverwoulddancewithawomanwhohadredhair,exceptinquadrilleswhere
hecouldnothelphimself;andthenhishand-claspwasbriefandperfunctory
whenitcameto"Grandright-and-left."Ifcommandedto"Balance-swing"the
red-hairedwomanwasswungairilybythefinger-tips—;whichwasnottheway
inwhichWearyswungtheothers.
Andthencametheschoolma'am.Theschoolma'am'shairwasthedarkestbrown
andhadashinetoitwherethelightstruckattheproperangle,andhereyeswere
largeandcamenearbeinground,andtheywereavelvetybrownandalsohada
shineinthem.

StillWearyshiedconsistentlyandsystematically.
Attheleap-yearball,givenonNewYear'snight,whentheladieswereinvitedto
"chooseyourpardnersforthehulldance,regardlessofwhobroughtyuh,"the
schoolma'amhadforsakenJoeMeeker,withwhoseparentssheboarded,andhad
deliberatelychosenWeary.TheHappyFamilyhad,withoneaccord,grinnedat
himinawaythatpromisedmanythingsand,uptothecomingoftheFourthof
July,everypromisehadbeenconscientiouslyfulfilled.
Theybroughthimmanyfriendlymessagesfromtheschoolma'am,towhichhe
returnedunfriendlyanswers.Whenheaccusedthemopenlyoftryingto"load"
him;theywereshockedandgrieved.Theytoldhimtheschoolma'amsaidshe
feltdrawntohim—helookedsolikeherdarlingbrotherwhohadspilledhis
preciousbloodonSanJuanHill.CalEmmettwasexceedinglyproudofthis
invention,sinceitseemedto"godown"withWearybetterthanmostofthelies
theytold.


ItwasthecomingoftheFourthandthecelebrationofthatdaywhichprovoked
furtherefforttoteaseWeary.
"Whoareyougoingtotake,Weary?"CalEmmettloweredhislefteyelidvery
gently,forthebenefitoftheothers,anddrewamatchsharplyalongthewalljust
overhishead.
"Myself,"answeredWearysweetly,thoughitwasbecomingasoresubject.
"You'resuregoinginbumcompany,then,"retortedCal.
"Who'sgoingtopilottheschoolma'am?"blurtedHappyJack,whowasnever
consciouslyambiguous.
"Youcansearchme,"saidWeary,inayou-make-me-tiredtone."Shesureisn't
goingwithYoursTruly."
"Ain'tsheaskedyuhyet?"fleeredCal."That'sfunny.Shetoldmetheotherday
shewasgoingtotakeadvantageofwoman'sprivilege,thisyear,andchooseher
ownescortforthedance.ThensheaskedmeifIknewwhetheryouwerespoke

for,andwhenItoldheryuhwasn't,shewantedtoknowifI'dbringanoteover.
ButIwasinadickensofahurry,andcouldn'twaitforit;anyhow,Iwasheaded
theotherway."
"NottowardLenAdams,wereyou?"askedWearysympathetically.
"Aw,she'llgiveyouaninvite,allright,"HappyJackdeclared."LittleWillieain't
goingtobeforgot,yuhcangambleonthat.He'stoomuchlikeDarlingBrother
—"
Atthispoint,HappyJackduckedprecipitatelyandaflapping,four-buckled
overshoe,arelicofthewintergone,hurtledpasthisheadandlandedwith
considerableforceupontheunsuspectingstomachofCal,stretchedluxuriously
uponhisbunk.Caldoubledlikeathreatenedcaterpillarandgroaned,andWeary,
feelingthatjusticehadnotbeendefeatedeventhoughhehadaimedatanother
culprit,grinnedcomplacently.
"Whathorseareyougoingtotake?"askedChip,toturnthesubject.
"Glory.I'mthinkingofputtinghimupagainstBertRogers'Flopper.Bert's


gettingaltogethertooniftyoverthatcayuseofhis.Heneedstobewalkedaway
from,once;Glory'sthelittlehorsethatcanlearn'emthingsaboutrunning,if—"
"Yeah—if!"ThisfromCal,whohadrecoveredspeech."Haveyuhgotawritten
guaranteefromGlory,thathe'llrun?"
"Aw,"croakedHappyJack,"ifherunsatall,it'lllikelybebackwards—ifitain't
adancing-bearstuntonhishindfeet.Youcangambleit'llbewhatyuhdon't
expectandain'tgotanymoneyon;thatthere'sGlory,fromthegroundup."
"Oh,Idon'tknow,"Wearydrawledplacidly."I'mnotsettinghimbeforethe
publicasatwintoMary'slittlelamb,butI'mwillingtoriskhim.He'sagood
littlehorse—whenhefeelsthatway—andhecanrun.Anddarnhim,he'sgotto
run!"
Shortyquitsnoringandrolledover."Betchetendollars,twotoone,hewon't
run,"hesaid,digginghisfistsintohiseyeslikeababy.

Weary,deadgame,tookhimup,thoughheknewwhatdesperatechanceshewas
taking.
"Betchefivedollars,evenup,herunsbackwards,"grinnedHappyJack,and
Wearyacceptedthatwageralso.
TherestoftheafternoonwasfilledwithGlory—sotospeak—andmuchcoin
washazardeduponhisdoingeveryunseemlythingthatahorsecanpossiblydo
atarace,excepttheonethingwhichhediddo;whichgoestoprovethatGlory
wasnotanordinarycayuse,andthathehadareputationtomaintain.Totheday
ofhisdeath,itmaybesaid,hemaintainedit.
DryLakewasnothingifnotpatriotic.Everylegalholidaywasobservedintrue
DryLakemanner,tothetuneofviolinsandtheswish-swishofslipperedfeet
uponamore-or-lesspolishedfloor.TheGloriousFourth,however,was
celebratedwithmoreelaborateamusements.Onthatdaymenmet,organized
andplayedamatchedgameofballwithmuchshoutingandgreatgusto,andwith
anumpirewhoaimedtoplease.
Afterthattheyarrangedtheirhorseracesoverthebarofthesaloon,androde,ran
orwalkedtothequarter-milestretchofleveltrailbeyondthestockyardsto
witnesstherunning;whentheywouldhurrybacktosettletheirbetsoverthebar


wheretheyhaddrunktothepreliminaries.
BertRogerscameearly,ridingFlopper.Menhurriedfromthesaloontogather
roundthehorsethatheldtherecordofbeatinga"realrace-horse"thesummer
before.Theyfelthislegssagelyandwonderedthatanyoneshouldseemanxious
toquestionhisabilitytobeatanythinginthecountryinastraightawayquartermiledash.
WhentheFlyingUboysclatteredintotowninabunch,theyweregreeted
enthusiastically;foroldJimWhitmore's"HappyFamily"waslikedtoaman.
TheenthusiasmdidnotextendtoGlory,however.Hewaseyedaskancebythose
whoknewhimorwhohadheardofhisexploits.IftheHappyFamilyhadnot
backedhimloyallytoaman,hewouldnothavehadadollarriskeduponhim;

andthisnotbecausehecouldnotrun.
Glorywasanalien,oneofacarloadofhorsesshippedinfromArizonathe
summerbefore.Hewasabrightsorrel,withthesilverymaneandtanandwhite
feetwhichonesoseldomsees—abeauty,nonecoulddeny.Histemperwasnot
sobeautiful.
Sometimesfordayshewaslamblikeinhisobedience,touchinginhismuzzling
affectiontillWearywaslulledintounwatchfulloveforthehorse.Thenthings
wouldhappen.
Once,Wearywalkedwithacanefortwoweeks.Anothertimehewalkedten
milesintherain.Oncehedidnotwalkatall,butsatonarockandsmoked
cigarettestillhistobaccosackranempty,waitingforGlorytoquitsulking,flat
onhisside,andgetupandcarryhimhome.
AnymanbutWearywouldhaveruinedthehorsewithharshness,butWearywas
reallyproudofhisdeviltryandwouldlaughtillthetearscamewhilehetoldof
somenewandundreamedbitofcussednessinhispet.
Onthisday,Glorywasbehavingbeautifully.True,hehadnearlysqueezedthe
lifeoutofWearythatmorningwhenhewenttosaddlehiminthestall,andhe
hadafterwardssnatchedCalEmmet'shatoffwithhisteeth,andhaddroppedit
tothegroundandhadstooduponit;butonthewhole,theHappyFamily
regardedthosetriflesasagoodsign.
WhenBertRogersandWearyambledawaydownthedustytrailtothestarting


point,accompaniedbymostoftheFlyingUboysandtwoorthreefromBert's
outfit,thecrowdinthegrand-stand(whichwasthetoprailofthestockyard
fence)hushedexpectantly.
Whenapistolcracked,fardowntheroad,andafaintyellcameshrillingthrough
thequietsunshine,theycranedneckstilltheirmusclesached.Likeasummer
sand-stormtheycame,andbehindthemclatteredtheirfriends,thedust
concealinghorseandrideralike.Whoopingencouragingwordsatrandom,they

waitedtillablacknoseshotoutfromtherushingcloud.ThatwasFlopper.
Besideitawhitestreak,aflying,silverymane—Glorywasrunning!HappyJack
gavearaucousyell.
Liftingreluctantly,thedustgavehazyglimpsesofalong,blackbodyhugging
jealouslyclosetoearth,itsriderlyinglowuponthestrainingneck—thatwas
FlopperandBert.
Closebeside,asheenyglimmerofred,atossingfringeofwhite,aleaning,wiry,
exultantformabove—thatwasGloryandWeary.
Thereweregroansaswellasshoutingwhenthewhirlwindhadsweptpastand
ondownthehilltowardtown,andthereasonthereofwasplain.Gloryhadwon
byagoodlengthofhim.
BertRogerssaidsomethingsavageandsethisweightuponthebittillFlopper,
snortinganddisgusted—forahorseknowswhenheisbeaten—tookshorter
leaps,stiffenedhisfrontlegsandstopped,diggingfurrowswithhisfeet.
Glorysailedondownthetrail,scatteringMrs.Jenson'schickensandjumping
cleanoveralumbering,protestingsow."Comeon—he'sgoingtosetupthe
drinks!"yelledsomeone,andthecrowdleapedfromthefenceandfollowed.
ButGlorydidnotstop.Hewhippedaroundthesaloon,whirledpastthe
blacksmithshopandwasheadedforthemouthofthelanebeforeanyone
understood.ThenChip,suddenlygraspingthesituation,dugdeepwithhisspurs
andyelled.
"He'sbrokenthebit—it'sarunaway!"
Thusbeganthesecondrace,afree-for-alldashupthelane.Attheverystartthey
knewitwashopelesstoattemptovertakingthatredstreak,buttheygallopeda


mileforgoodmanners'sake;Calthenpulledup.
"Nouse,"hesaid."Glory'sheadedforhomeandweain'tgotthepaperstostop
him.Hecan'thurtWeary—andthedanceopensupatsix,andI'vegotagirlin
town."

"Samehere,"grinnedBert."It'safterfour,now."
Chip,whoatthattimehadn'tagirl—anddidn'twantone—letSilveroutfor
anotherlonggallop,seeingitwasWeary.Thenhe,too,gaveupthechaseand
turnedback.
Glorysettledtoalonglopeandkeptsteadilyon,gleefullyrattlingthebrokenbit
whichdangledbeneathhisjaws.Weary,helplessandamusedandtriumphant
becausetheracewashis,satunconcernedlyinthesaddleandlaidimaginarybets
withhimselfontheoutcome.Withoutdoubt,Glorywasheadedforhome.Weary
figuredthat,barringaccidents,hecouldcatchupBlazes,inthelittlepasture,and
ridebacktoDryLakebythetimethedancewasinfullswing—forthedancing
beforedarkwouldbedesultoryandwithoutmuchspirit.
Butthegateintothebigfieldwasclosedandtiedsecurelywitharope.Glory
comprehendedthefactwithonerollofhisknowingeyes,turnedawaytotheleft
andtookthetrailwhichwoundlikeasnakeintothefoothills.Clingingwarilyto
thelevelwherechoicewasgivenhim,trottingwherethewaywasrough,mile
aftermilehecoveredtillevenWeary'spatienceshowedsignsofweakening.
JustthenGloryturned,whereawiregatelayflatupontheground,crosseda
pebblycreekandgallopedstifflyuptotheverystepsofasquat,vine-covered
ranch-housewhere,liketheDiscontentedPenduluminthefable,hesuddenly
stopped.
"Damnyou,Glory—Icouldkillyuhforthis!"grittedWeary,andslidreluctantly
fromthesaddle.Forwhiletheplaceseemeddeserted,itwasnot.Therewasa
girl.
Shelayinahammock;sprawledwouldcomenearerdescribingherposition.She
hadsomemagazinesscatteredaroundupontheporch,andherhairhungdownto
thefloorinathick,darkbraid.Shewasdressedinadarkskirtandwhat,to
Weary'suntrained,masculineeyes,lookedlikeapinkgunnysack.Inrealityit
wasakimono.Sheappearedtobeasleep.

WearysawachanceofleadingGloryquietlytothecorralbeforeshewoke.
Therehecouldborrowabridleandridebackwhencehecame,andhecould
explainaboutthebridletoJoeMeekerintown.Joewasalwaysgoodabout
lendingthings,anyway.Hegatheredthefragmentsofthebitinonehandand
cluckedunderhisbreath,inanagonylesthisspursshouldjingle.
Gloryturneduponhimhisbeautiful,browneyes,reproachfullyquestioning.
Wearypulledsteadily.Glorystretchedneckandnoseobediently,butastofeet,
theyweredowntostay.
Wearyglancedanxiouslytowardthehammockandperspired,thenstoodback
andwhisperedlanguageitwouldbeasintorepeat.Glory,listeningwith
unruffledcalm,stoodperfectlystill,likearedstatueinthesunshine.
Thefaceofthegirlwashiddenunderoneround,loose-sleevedarm.Shedidnot
move.Afaintbreeze,fresheninginspasmodicpuffs,seizeduponthehammock,
andsetitswayinggently.
"Oh,damnyou,Glory!"whisperedWearythroughhisteeth.ButGlory,
accustomedtobeingdamnedsincehewasayearling,displayedabsolutelyno
interest.Indeed,heseemedinclinedtodozethereinthesun.
Takinghishat—hisbesthat—fromhishead,hebelaboredGloryviciouslyover
thejawswithit;silentlyexceptforthesoftthudandslapoffeltonflesh.Andthe
moodofhimwasasnearmurderasWearycouldcome.Gloryhadbeen
belaboredwithworsethingsthanhatsduringhiseventfulcareer;helaidbackhis
ears,shuthiseyestightandtookitmeekly.
Therecameagaspinggurglefromthehammock,andWeary'shandstoppedin
mid-air.Thegirl'sheadwasburrowedinapillowandherslipperstappedthe
floorwhileshelaughedandlaughed.
Wearydeliveredapartingwhack,putonhishatandlookedatheruncertainly;
grinnedsheepishlywhenthehumorofthethingcametohimslowly,andfinally
satdownupontheporchstepsandlaughedwithher.
"Oh,gee!Itwastoofunny,"gaspedthegirl,sittingupandwipinghereyes.
Wearygaspedalso,thoughitwasasmallmatter—acommonlittlewordofthree

letters.Inallthemessagessenthimbytheschoolma'am,itwastheprecise,
school-grammarwordingofthemwhichhadirritatedhimmostandimpressed
himinsensiblywiththebeliefthatshewastooprimtobequitehuman.The
HappyFamilyhadfeltallalongthattheywereartistsinthatline,andtheyknew
thattheprecisesentencesevercarriedconvictionoftheirtruth.Wearymopped
hisperspiringfaceuponawhitesilkhandkerchiefandmeditatedwonderingly.
"Youaren'tatrain-robberorahorsethief,or—anything,areyou?"sheaskedhim
presently."Youseemedquiteupsetatseeingtheplacewasn'tdeserted;butI'm
sure,ifyouarearobberrunningawayfromasheriff,I'dneverdreamof
stoppingyou.Pleasedon'tmindme;justmakeyourselfathome."
Wearyturnedhisheadandlookedstraightupather."I'mafraidI'llhaveto
disappointyuh,MissSatterly,"hesaidblandly."I'mjustanordinaryhuman,and
mynameisDavidson—betterknownasWeary.Youdon'tappeartoremember
me.We'vemetbefore."
Sheeyedhimattentively."Perhapswehave—ityousayso.I'mwretchedabout
rememberingstrangenamesandfaces.Wasitatadance?Imeetsomany
fellowsatdances—"Shewavedabrownlittlehandandsmileddeprecatingly.
"Yes,"saidWearylaconically,stilllookingintoherface."Itwas."
Shestareddownathim,herbrowspuckered."Iknow,now.ItwasattheSaint
Patrick'sdanceinDryLake!Howsillyofmetoforget."
Wearyturnedhisgazetothehillbeyondthecreek,andfannedhishotfacewith
hishat."Itwasnot.Itwasn'tatthatdance,atall."Funnyshedidn'tremember
him!Hesuspectedheroftryingtofoolhim,nowthathewasactuallyinher
presence,andherefusedabsolutelytobefooled.
Hecouldseethatshethrewoutherhandhelplessly."Well,Imayaswell'fess
up.Idon'trememberyouatall.It'shorridofme,whenyourodeupinthat
lovely,unconventionalway.Butyousee,atdancesonedoesn'tthinkofthemen
asindividuals;they'rejustgoodorbadpartners.Itresolvesitself,yousee,intoa

questionoffeet.IfIshoulddancewithyouagain,—didIdancewithyou?"
Wearyshotaquick,eloquentglanceinherdirection.Hedidnotsayanything.
MissSatterlyblushed."Iwasgoingtosay,ifIdancedwithyouagain


Ishouldnodoubtrememberyouperfectly."
Wearywasbetrayedintoasmile."IfIcoulddanceintheseboots,I'dtakeoffmy
spursandtryandidentifymyself.ButIguessI'llhavetoaskyuhtotakemy
wordforitthatwe'reacquainted."
"Oh,Iwill.Imeantto,allalong.Whyaren'tyouintown,celebrating?Ithought
Iwastheonlyunpatrioticpersoninthecountry."
"Ijustcamefromtown,"Wearytoldher,choosing,hiswordscarefullywhileyet
strivingtobetruthful.Nomanlikesconfessingtoawomanthathehasbeenrun
awaywith."I—er—brokemybridle-bit,backafewmiles"(itwasfifteen,ifit
werearod)"andsoIrodeinheretogetoneofJoe's.Ididn'twanttobother
anybody,butGloryseemedtothinkthiswaswherethetrailended."
MissSatterlylaughedagain."Itcertainlywasfunny—youtryingtogethim
away,andbeingsostillaboutit.Iheardyouwhisperingswear-words,andI
wantedtoscream!Ijustcouldn'tkeepstillanylonger.Ishebalky?"
"Idon'tknowwhatheis—now,"saidWearyplaintively."Hewas,atthattime.
He'sgenerallywhathappenstobethemostdev—meanunderthe
circumstances."
"Well,maybehe'llconsenttobeingledtothestable;helooksasifhehadamost
unmercifulmaster!"(Weary,beingperfectlyinnocent,blushedguiltily)"ButI'll
forgiveyouridinghimlikethat,andmakeforyouapitcheroflemonadeand
giveyousomecakewhileherests.Youcertainlymustnotridebackwithhimso
tired."
Freshlemonadesoundedtempting,afterthatride.Andbeinglecturedwasnotat
allwhathehadexpectedfromtheschoolma'am—andwhocanfathomthemind
ofaman?Wearygaveheronecomplexglance,laidhishanduponthebridleand

discoveredthatGlory,havingdonewhatmischiefhecould,wasdisposedtobe
verymeek.AtthecorralgateWearylookedback.
"Atdances,"hemusedaloud,"onedoesn'tconsidermenasindividuals—it's
merelyaquestionoffeet.Shetookmeforatrainrobber;andIdancedwithher
aboutfortytimes,thatnight,andtookherovertosupperandwewhackedupon
ourchickensaladbecausetherewasonlyonedishforthetwoofus—oh,
mamma!"


HepulledoffthesaddlewithapreoccupiedairandrubbedGlorydown
mechanically.Afterthathewentoverandsatdownontheoats'boxandsmoked
twocigaretteswhileheponderedmanythings.
Hestoodupandthoughtfullysurveyedhimself,brushedsundrybrightsorrel
hairsfromhiscoatsleeves,stoopedandtriedtopinchcreasesintothekneesof
histrousers,whichshowedsymptomsof"bagging."Hetookoffhishatand
polisheditwithhissleevehehadjustbrushedsocarefully,pinchedfourbig
dimplesinthecrown,turneditaroundthreetimesforcriticalinspection,placed
ituponhisheadatastudiouslyunstudiedangle,feltanxiouslyathisneck-gear
andslappedGloryaffectionatelyupontherump—andcameneargettingkicked
intoeternity.Thenheswungoffupthepath,softlywhistling"Inthegood,old
summer-time."Anoldhen,hoveringherchicksintheshadeofthehay-rack,
eyedhimdistrustfullyandcried"k-r-r-r-r"inashockedtonethatsenther
chickensburrowingdeeperunderherfeathers.
MissSatterlyhadchangedherpinkkimonoforawhiteshirt-waistandhad
fluffedherhairintoasmoothcoilonthetopofherhead.Wearythoughtshe
lookedverynice.Shecouldmakeexcellentlemonade,hediscovered,andshe
provedherselfaltogetherdifferentfromwhatthemessagesshesenthimhadled
himtoexpect.Wearywondered,untilhebecametoointerestedtothinkaboutit.
Presently,withoutquiteknowinghowitcameabout,hewastellingherallabout
therace.MissSatterlyhelpedhimreckonhiswinnings—whichwasnoteasyto

do,sincehehadbeenofferedallsortsofoddsandhadacceptedthemallwitha
recklessnessthatwasappalling.Whileherdarkheadwasbentabovethepieceof
paper,andherpencilwassettingdownfigureswithpreciselittlejabs,he
watchedher.Hequiteforgotthemessageshehadreceivedfromherthroughthe
mediumoftheHappyFamily,andhequiteforgotthatwomencouldhurtaman.
"Mr.Davidson,"sheannouncedseverely,whenthefigureshadallbeendabbed
uponthepaper,"Yououghttohavelost.Itwouldbealessontoyou.Ihaven't
quitefiguredallyourwinnings,thesesix-to-onesandten-to-onesand—andall
that,taketimetounravel.Butyou,yourself,stoodtolosejustthreehundredand
sixty-fivedollars.Gee!butyoucowboysarereckless."
Therewasmorethatshesaid,butWearydidnotmind.Hehaddiscoveredthathe
likedtolookattheschoolma'am.Afterthat,nothingelsewasofmuch
importance.Hebegantowishhemightprolonghisopportunityforlooking.


"Say,"hesaidsuddenly,"Comeonandlet'sgotothedance."
Theschoolma'ambitatherpencilandlookedathim."It'slate—"
"Oh,there'stimeenough,"urgedWeary.
"Maybe—but—"
"Doyuhthinkwearen'twellenoughacquainted?"
"Wellwe'renotexactlyoldfriends,"shelaughed.
"We'regoingtobe,soit'sallthesame,"Wearysurprisedhimselfbydeclaring
withmuchemphasis."You'dgo,wouldn'tyou,ifIwas—well,sayyour
brother?"
MissSatterlyrestedherchininherpalmsandregardedhimmeasuringly."Idon't
know.Ineverhadone—exceptthreeorfourthatI—er—adopted,atonetimeor
another.Isupposeonecouldgo,though—withabrother."
Wearymadearapid,mentalnoteforthebenefitoftheHappyFamily—and
particularlyCalEmmett."DarlingBrother"wasamyth,then;heoughttohave
knownit,allalong.Andifthatwereamyth,soprobablywereallthose

messagesandthingsthathehadhated.Shedidn'tcareanythingabouthim—and
suddenlythatstruckhimunpleasantly,insteadofbeingarelief,asitconsistently
shouldhavebeen.
"Iwishyou'dadoptme,justforto-night,andgo;"hesaid,andhiseyesbacked
thewish."Yousee,"headdedartfully,"it'sasintowasteallthatgoodmusic—a
real,honest-to-GodstringedorchestrafromGreatFalls,and—"
"Meekershavetakenbothrigs,"objectedshe,weakly.
"Inoticedasidesaddlehanginginthestable,"hewheedled,"andI'llgambleI
canrustlesomethingtoputiton.I—"
"Ishouldthinkyou'dgambledenoughforoneday,"shequelled."Butthat
chunkylittlegrayinthepastureisthehorseIalwaysride.Iexpect,"shesighed,
"mynewdancingdresswouldbeasighttobeholdwhenIgotthere—andit
won'twash.Butwhatdoesameremancare—"


"Wrapitupinsomething,andI'llcarryitforyuh,"Wearyadvisedeagerly."You
canchangeatthehotel.It'sdeadeasy."Hepickeduphishatfromthefloor,rose
andstoodlookinganxiouslydownather."Abouthowsoon,"heinsinuated,"can
youbeready?"
Theschoolma'amlookedupathimirresolutely,drewalongbreathandthen
laughed."Oh,tenminuteswilldo,"shesurrendered."Ishallputmynewdressin
abox,andgojustasIam.Doyoualwaysgetyourownway,Mr.Davidson?"
"Always,"heliedconvincinglyoverhisshoulder,andjumpedofftheporch
withoutbotheringtousethesteps.
Shewaswaitingwhenheledthelittlegrayuptothehouse,andshecamedown
thestepswithalarge,flat,pasteboardboxinherarms.
"Don'tgetoff,"shecommanded."Icanmountalone—andyou'llhavetocarry
thebox.It'sgoingtobeawkward,butyouwouldhavemego."
Wearytooktheboxandprudentlyremainedinthesaddle.Glory,havingtheman
hedidformaster,wasunusedtotheflutterofwomen'sskirtssoclose,androlled

hiseyestillthewhitesshowedallround.Moreover,hewasnotsatisfiedwith
thatbig,whitethinginWeary'sarms.
Hestoodquitestill,however,untiltheschoolma'amwassettledtoherlikingin
thesaddle,andhadtuckedherskirtdownoverthetoeofherrightfoot.He
watchedtheproceedingwithmuchinterest—asdidWeary—andthenwalked
sedatelyfromtheyard,throughthepebblycreekanduptheslopebeyond.He
heardWearygiveasighofreliefathisdocility,andstraightwaythrusthisnose
betweenhiswhitefrontfeet,andproceededtocarryoutcertainlittleplansofhis
own.Weary,takenbysurpriseandencumberedbythebox,couldnotarguethe
point;hecouldonly,inrangeparlance,"hangandrattle."
"Oh,"criedMissSatterly,"ifhe'sgoingtoactlikethat,givemethebox."
Wearywouldliketohavedoneso,butalreadyhewashalfwaytothegate,and
hiscoatwasstandingstraightoutbehindtoprovethespeedofhisflight.He
couldnotevenlookback.Hejusthungtighttotheboxandrode.
Thelittlegraywasnoracer,buthiswindwasgood;andwithurginghekeptthe
fleeingGloryinsightforamileorso.Then,horseandriderwerebriefly


silhouettedagainstthesunsetastheytoppedadistanthill,andafterthatthe
schoolma'amrodebyfaith.
AtthegatewhichledintothebigFlyingUfieldsheovertookthem.Glory,
placidasasheep,wasnibblingafrayedendoftheropewhichheldthegateshut,
andWeary,thebigboxbalancedinfrontofhimacrossthesaddle,wassmoking
acigarette.
"Well,"greetedMissSatterlybreathlessly,andrathertartly,"onlyforyouhaving
mydress,I'dhavegonestraightbackhome.Dobrothersalwaysactlikethis?"
"Searchme,"saidWeary,shakinghishead."Anyway,yuhbettertalktoGlory
aboutit.Heappearstoberunningthisshow.WhenIrodeouttoyourplace,I
didn'thaveanybitinhismouthatall.Comingback,I'vegotoneofJoeMeeker's
teethingrings,thatwouldn'tholdapetturkey.Butwe'regoingtothedance,Miss

Satterly.Don'tyouworrynoneaboutthat."
MissSatterlylaughedandrodeaheadofthem."I'mgoing,"sheannounced
firmly."It'sleapyear,andIthinkIcanrustleapartnerifyoudecidetositand
lookthroughthatgateallnight."
"You'llneedyourprettydress.Gloryain'tmuchusedtoescortingyoungladies,
buthe'sagentleman;we'recoming,allright."
Itwasstrange,perhaps,thatGloryshouldmissthechanceofprovinghismaster
aliar,butheneverthelessambleddecorouslytoDryLakeanddidnothingmore
unseemlythannippingoccasionallyattheneckofthelittlegray.
ThatishowWearylearnedthatlarge,browneyesdonotlooksidelongataman
afterthemanneroflong,heavy-liddedblueones;andthat,also,ishowhecame
tothrowuphisheadanddenytohimselfandhisworldthatheeverwasshyof
women.


PARTTWO
Wearyrodestealthilyaroundthecornerofthelittle,frameschool-houseandwas
notdisappointed.Theschoolma'amwassittingunconventionallyuponthe
doorstep,hershoulderturnedtohimandherfaceturnedtothetrailbywhicha
mannaturallywouldbesupposedtoapproachtheplace.Herhairwasshining
darklyinthesunandtheshorterlockswereblowingaboutherfaceina
downrighttantalizingfashion;theymadeamanwanttobrushthembackand
kissthespottheywerecaressingsowantonly.Shewashummingatunesoftlyto
herself.Wearycaughtthewords,sungabsently,underherbreath:
"Didn'tmakenoblunder—yuhcouldn'tconfusehim.
Aperfectwonder,yuhhadtochoosehim!"
Theschoolma'amwasaddictedtocoonsongsoftheperiod.
SheseemedtobeverybusyaboutsomethingandWeary,craninghisnecktosee
overhershoulder,wonderedwhat.Also,hewishedheknewwhatshewas
thinkingabout,andhehopedherthoughtswerenotremotefromhimself.Just

thenGloryshowedunmistakableandmaliciousintentionsofsneezing,and
Weary,catchingaglimpseofsomethinginMissSatterly'shand,hastenedto
makehispresenceknown.
"Ihopeyuharen'tlimberingupthatweaponofdestructiononmyaccount,
Schoolma'am,"heobservedmildly.
Theschoolma'amjumpedandslidsomethingoutofsightunderherruffled,
whiteapron."WearyDavidson,howlonghaveyoubeenstandingthere?I
believeyou'dcomestraightdownfromtheskyorstraightupfromtheground,if
youcouldmanageit.Youseemcapableofdoingeverythingexceptcomingby
thetraillikeasensibleman."Thiswithseverity.
WearyswungalonglegoverGlory'sbackandcamelightlytoearth,


immediatelytakingpossessionofthevacanthalfofdoorstep.Theschoolma'am
obliginglydrewskirtsasidetomakeroomforhim—aninconsistentmovement
notatallinharmonywithhereyebrows,whichweredisapproving.
"Yuhdon'tlikeordinarymen.Yuhsaidso,oncewhenIsaidIwasjustaplain,
ordinaryman.I'veswornoffbeingordinarysinceyuhgavemethattip,"hesaid
cheerfully."Let'shavealookatthatcannonyou'rehidingunderyourapron.
Wheredidyuhresurrectit?OutofsomeoldIndiangrave?
"Mamma!Itwon'tgooffsuddenandunexpected,willit?Whatkinduhshells—
oh,mamma!"Hepushedhishatbackoffhisforeheadwithagesturenotleft
behindwithhisboyhood,heldtheobjectthelengthofhislongarmawayand
regardeditgravely.
Itwasanold,old"bull-dog"revolver,freckledwithrustuntilitboreastrong
resemblancetocertainnoseswhichMissSatterlylookeddownupondaily.The
cylinderwaspluggedwithrollsofdrabcottoncloth,supposedlyinimitationof
realbullets.ItwasobviouslyduringthepluggingprocessthatMissSatterlyhad
beeninterrupted,foradrabstringhunglimplyfromonehole.Onthewhole,the
thingdidnotlookparticularlyformidable,andWeary'slipstwitched.

"Atrampstoppedheretheotherday,and—Iwasfrightenedalittle,"shewas
explaining,pink-cheeked."SoauntMeekerfoundthisupintheloftandshe
thoughtitwoulddoto—tobluffwith."
Wearyaimedcarefullyataventuresomeandhighlyinquisitivegopherand
pulled,withsomeeffort,therustedtrigger.Thegopherstooduponhishindfeet
andchippedderisively.
"Yousee,itjustinsultshim.Yuhcould'ntscareablindmanwithit—Lookhere!
Ifyuhgopoutingupyourlipslikethatagain,something'sgoingtohappen'em.
There'salimittowhatamancanstand."
MissSatterlyhastilydrewhermouthintoathin,untempting,redstreak,forshe
hadnotseenWearyDavidson,onanaverage,twiceaweekforthelastfour
monthsfornothing.Hewasnotthemantobluff.
"Ofcourse,"shesaidresentfully,"youcanmakefunofit—butallthesame,it's
betterthannothing.Itanswersthepurpose."


Wearyturnedhisheadtillhecouldlookstraightintohereyes—athinghe
seemedratherfondofdoing,lately."Whatpurpose?Itsureisn'tornamental;it's
alittlethehardestlookerIeversawintheshapeofagun.Anditwon'tscare
anything.Ifyouwantagun,why,takeonethatcanmakegood.Youcanhave
mine;justwatchwhatadifferenteffectithas."
Hereachedbackwardanddrewashiningthingfromhispocket,flippedit
downward—andtheeffectwasunmistakablydifferent.Thegopherleapedand
rolledbackwardandthenlaystill,andMissSatterlygavealittle,startledscream
andjumpedquiteoffthedoorstep.
"Don'tyuhsee?Youcouldn'traiseanysuchadustwithyours.Ifyuhpackagun,
youalwayswanttopackonethat'sreadyandwillingtodobusinessonshort
notice.I'llletyuhhavethis,ifyou'resureit'ssafewithyuh.I'dhatetohaveyou
shootingyourselfaccidental."
Wearyraisedinnocenteyestoherfaceandpolishedtheguncaressinglywithhis

handkerchief."Tryitonce,"heurged.
Theschoolma'amwasfondofboastingthatsheneverscreamedatanything.She
hadscreamedjustnow,overafoolishlittlething,anditgoeswithoutsayingshe
wasangrywiththecause.Shedidnotsitdownagainbesidehim,andshedidnot
takethegunhewasholdingupinvitinglytoher.Sheputherhandsbehindher
andstoodaccusinglybeforehimwiththelookuponherfacewhichneverfailed
tomakesundrysmallBeckmansandPilgreenssquirmontheirbencheswhenshe
assumeditinschool.
"Mr.Davidson"—notWearyDavidson,asshewaswonttocallhim—"youhave
killedmypetgopher.AllsummerIhavefedhim,andhewouldeatoutofmy
hand."
Wearycastajealouseyeuponthelimp,littleanimal,searchedhisheartfor
remorseandfoundnone.Ornerylittlebrute,togetfamiliarwithhis
schoolma'am!
"Ididnotthinkyoucouldbesowantonlycruel,andIamastonishedand—and
deeplypainedtodiscoverthatfatalflawinyourcharacter."
Wearybegantosquirm,afterthemannerofdelinquentBeckmansandPilgreens.
Onethinghehadlearned:Whentheschoolma'amrosetoirreproachableEnglish,


therewastroublea-brew.Itwasasignhehadneverknowntofail.
"Icannotunderstandthedepravedinstinctwhichpromptsamanbrutallyto
destroyalifehecannotrestore,andwhichinnowaymenaceshisown—oreven
interfereswithhiscomfort.Youmayapologizetome;youmayevenbe
sincerelyrepentant"—theschoolma'am'stoneatthispointimpliedconsiderable
doubt—"butyouarepowerlesstoreturnthelifeyouhavesoheedlesslytaken.
Youhaverevealedalow,brutaltraitwhichIhadhopedyournaturecouldnot
harbor,andIam—amdeeplyshockedand—andgrieved."
Justhereatiny,dry-weatherwhirlwindsweptaroundthecorner,caughtruffled,
whiteapronandblueskirtinitsgyrationsand,pushingthemwickedlyaside,

gaveWearyabrief,deliciousglimpseoftwosmall,slipperedfeetandtwo
distractingankles.Theschoolma'amblushedandretreatedtothedoorstep,but
shedidnotsitdown.Shestillstoodstraightanddispleasedbesidehim.
Evidentlyshewasstillshockedandgrieved.
Wearytippedhisheadtoonesidesothatbemightlookupatherfromunderhis
hat-brim."I'llgetyuhanothergopher;six,ifyuhsayso,"hesoothed,"The
woodsisfullof'em."
Theangry,browneyesofMissSatterlysweptthebarrenhillscontemptuously.
Shewouldnotevenlookathim."Praydonotinconvenienceyourself,Mr.
Davidson.ItisnotthegopherthatIcareforsomuch—itistheprinciple."
Wearysighedandslidthegunbackintohispocket.ItseemedtohimthatMiss
Satterly,adorableasshealwayswas,wasalsoratherunreasonableattimes."All
right,I'llgetyuhanotherprinciple,then."
"Mr.Davidson,"shesaidsternly,"youareperfectlyodious!"
"Isthatsomethingnice,Girlie?"Wearysmiledtrustfullyupather.
"Odious,"explainedtheschoolma'amhaughtily,"isnotsomethingnice.I'm
sorryyoureducationhasbeensoneglected.Odious,Mr.Davidson,isasynonym
forhateful,obnoxious,repulsive,disagreeable,despicable—"
"Ineverdidlikecinnamon,anyhow,"putinWeary,cheerfully.
"Ididnotmentioncinnamon.Isaid—"


"Say,yuhlookoutuhsightwithyourhairfixedthatway.Iwishyou'dwearit
likethatallthetime,"heobservedirrelevantly,lookingupatherwithhis
sunniestsmile.
"IwishtogoodnessIwerereallyoutofsight,"snappedtheschoolma'am."You
makemeexceedinglyweary."
"Mrs.Weary,"correctedhe,complacently."That'swhatI'msureaimingat."
"Youaimwideofthemark,then,"sheretortedvaliantly,thoughconfusion
wavedaredflagineithercheek.

"Oh,Idon'tknow.Aminuteagoyouwereroastingmebecausemyaimwastoo
good,"hecontendedmildly,glancinginvoluntarilytowardthegopherstretched
uponitslittle,yellowback,itsfoursmallfeetturnedpitifullyuptotheblue.
"Ifyouhadanatomofdecencyyou'dbeashamedtomentionthattributetoyour
diabolicalmarksmanship."
"Oh,mamma!"ejaculatedWearyunderhisbreath,andbegantomakehimselfa
smoke.Hisguardianangelwasexhortinghimtosilence,butitpreached,as
usual,tounsentientears.
"Inevermentionedallthosethings,"hedeniedmeekly."It'syouthatkeepson
mentioning.Iwishyuhwouldn't.Iliketohearyoutalk,allright,andflopall
thosebigwordseasyasropingacalf;butIwishyou'dletmechooseyour
subjectforyuh.Icouldeasynameonewhereyoucouldusewordsjustashigh
andwideandhandsome,andaheapmorepleasantthanthebrandyou'vegot
corralled.Tryadmirationandfelicitationandexhilarating,ecstaticosculation—"
Hestoppedtoruntheedgeofpaperalonghistongue,andperhapsitwasaswell
hedid;therewasnoneedofmakingheranyangrier.MissSatterlyhatedtofeel
thatshewasworsted,anditwasquiteclearthatWearyhadallalongbeen
"guying"her.
"Ifyoucameheretomakemehateyou,youhaveaccomplishedyourerrand
admirably;itwouldbeadvisablenowforyoutohike."
Weary,struckbythatincongruouslastword,didanunforgivablething.He
laughedandlaughed,whilethematchhehadjustlightedflared,sentupablue
threadofbrimstonesmoke,lickedalongthewhitewoodandscorchedhisfingers


painfullybeforeherememberedhiscigarette.
MissSatterlyturnedabruptlyandwentintothehouse,putonherhatandtookup
thelittle,tinlard-pailinwhichherauntMeekeralwayspackedherlunch.She
wasback,hadthekeyturnedinthelockandwasslowlypullingonherglovesby
thetimeWearyrecoveredfromhismirth.

"Sinceyouwillnotleavetheplace,Ishalldoso.Iwanttosayfirst,however,
thatInotonlythinkyouodious,butallthesynonymsImentionedbesides.You
neednotcomeformetogototheLaborDaydance,becauseIwillnotgowith
you.IshallgowithJoe."
Wearygaveherastartledglanceandalmostdroppedhiscigarette.Thisseemed
goingratherfar,hethought—butofcourseshedidn'treallymeanit;the
schoolma'am,heheartenedhimselfwiththinking,wasanawful,littlebluffer.
"Don'tgooffmad,Girlie.I'msorryIkilledyourgopher—onthedead,Iam.I
justdidn'tthink,That'sahabitI'vegot—notthinking.
"Say!Youstay,andwe'llhaveafuneral.Itisn'teverycommon,scrubgopher
thatcanhavearealfuneralwithmournersandmusicwhenhegoesovertheBig
Divide.He—he'llappreciatethehonor;Iwould,Iknow,ifitwasme."
Theschoolma'amtookafewstepsandstopped,evidentlyinsomedifficultywith
herglove.Fromthelookofher,nohumanbeingwaswithinamileofher;she
certainlydidnotseemtohearanythingWearywassaying.
"Say!I'llsingasongoverhim,ifyou'llwaitaminute.Iknowtwowholeverses
of'BillBailey,'andthechorusto'GoodOldSummertime.'Icanshufflethetwo
togetherandmakeafulldeck.Ibelievethey'dgofinetogether.
"Say,youneverheardmesing,didyuh?It'sworthwaitingfor—onlyyuhwant
tohangtighttosomethingwhenIstart.Comeon—I'llletyoubethemourner."
SinceMissSatterlyhadbeentakingstepsquiteregularlywhileWearywas
speaking,shewasnowseveralrodsaway—andshehad,morethanever,the
appearanceofnothearinghimandofnotwantingtohear.
"Say,Tee-e-cher!"


Theschoolma'amrefusedtostop,ortoturnherheadafractionofaninch,and
Weary'sfacesoberedalittle.Itwasthefirsttimethatinimitable"Tee-e-cher"of
hishadfailedtobringthesmilebackintotheeyesofMissSatterly.Helooked
afterherdubiously.Hershoulderswerethrownwellbackandherfeetpressed

theirimprintfirmlyintotheyellowdustofthetrail.Inaminuteshewouldbe
quiteoutofhearing.
Wearygotup,tookastepandgraspedGlory'strailingbridle-reinandhurried
afterhermuchfasterthanGlorylikedandwhichhereprovedwithstiffened
kneesandageneralpullingbackonthereins.
"Say!Youwouldn'tgetmadatalittlethinglikethat,wouldyuh?"expostulated
Weary,whenheovertookher."YouknowIdidn'tmeananything,Girlie."
"Idonotconsideritalittlething,"saidtheschoolma'am,icily.
Thusrebuffed,Wearywalkedsilentlybesideherupthehill—silently,thatis,
saveforthesubduedjinglingofhisspurs.Hewasbeginningtorealizethatthere
wasanuncomfortable,heavyfeelinginhischest,onthesidewherehisheart
was.Still,hewasofahopefulnatureandpresentlytriedagain.
"HowmanytimesmustIsayI'msorry,Schoolma'am?Youdon'tlooksopretty
whenyou'remad;you'vegotdimples,remember,andyuhoughttogive'ema
chance.Let'ssitdownonthisrockwhileIsquaremyself.Comeon."Histone
waswheedlingintheextreme.
MissSatterly,notreplyingaword,keptstraightonupthehill;and
Weary,sighingheavily,followed.
"Don'tyouwanttorideGloryaways?He'srealgood,to-day.Heputinthe
wholeofyesterdayworkingoutallthecussednessthat'sbeenaccumulatingin
hissystemforaweek,sohe'sdeadgentle.I'llleadhim,foryuh."
"Thankyou,"saidMissSatterly."Iprefertowalk."
Wearysighedagain,butclungtohisgeneralhopefulness,aswashisnature.It
tookagreatdealtorouseWeary;perhapstheschoolma'amwastryingtofind
justhowmuch.
"Say,you'dadiedlaughingifyou'dseenoldGloryyesterday;helikedtoscared