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ATHE OREGON SUNDAY JOURNAL, PORTLAND, ; SUNDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 1(T?'
71
CINATING FEATURES
For
FOLKS
J
AS
YOUNG)
How Ernest Saved The Herd
preaching cloud of dust that told him the men were
coming.
But was it really the men 7 The cattle never came
see him and give warning unless he had been sur
prised and captured. .
Older heads than Ernest's would have been anxious
By WILDER GRAHAME
5T
T WASN'T very r "asant to be Irt outside me
Stockade to guard tbe corral Rates, with no com
panlons but a pony and the three thousand six
hundred half-wild and restless cattle. Most boys
v'i'S of fourteen would not hare relished the position
3, even In a time of peace. And now a band of des
parados of the worst type was known to be approach
, lug. White savages who have no fear of the law are
-' worse than savage Indians. A,'' scout had brought
'Jrord that the terrible "Bolter gang" were on their
' wax to raid the cattlemen of the valley, and all bands
'. &ad since been busy gathering the scattered settlers
Into the central stockade for protection against this
marauding band of "rustlers," or cattle thieves.
I Whatever may be said agalnat the cowboy, laziness
tand cowardice are not among his fallings; so It Is
fact . surprising that the ranchmen began to prepare
most actively to give their unwelcome visitors a warm
peceptlon.
I tfpon the mountain lay the scout, waiting to send
JQie signal of warning when the foe should enter the
. pass. Below, fearless riders dashed over the plains,
fliringlng in the scattered cattle and preparing for a
' long and vigorous defense. Until the signal came ,
fthere Was no danger, and, as all hands were needed In
driving up the more distant herds, the stockade was
for the time left comparatively undefended. That was
how It came to pass that Ernest wss left alone to
guard the corral gates till the remaining cattle were
driven In and the heavy fastenings safely secured.
There was little for him to do but watch till the other
.herds arrived. Then he would have to swing the big
gates open and help turn the leaders In. This might
" mean some hard riding and not a little danger. Often
the least unusual thins h encush to start those herds
of half-wild rattle on a mad stampede before which
there Is no safety but In flight. A single misstep, and
horse and rider would be trampled to pieces by a
thousand hoofs.
The cattle were restless that day ready for a
stampede on the slightest provocation. As though
they scented danger, they sniffed ths air, pawed and
lowed till Ernest began to fear they would attempt to
break from the inclosure.
Within ths stockade the women were doing what
they could In preparation for the coming fight Ouns
were being cleaned and examined, ammunition boxes
'dragged Into more convenient places, and tbe little
fortress strengthened in every possible manner. In
fact, every one was busy at some active work except
the scout, away up on tbe mountain, and Ernest. No
wonder the lad felt almost alone In the world.
Would the men be ready to return before the signal
cams? Of course they would be all right, anyhow,
for they would have time to get back after Bolter '
came in sight of the scouts. They could leave the
rest of tbe herds, if necessary. But the excitement
, ot tbe cattle he was guarding seemed contagious, and
Ernest's restlpssncss, like theirs, increased. He gal
loped up to a little plateau, and, dismounting, looked
anxiously toward the spotVhere the scout was sta
tioned, as If expecting his signal. Ilia attention was
about equally divided between the trail by which the
men would come and the lookout on the mountain.
The lad was not by any means a coward. Accustomed
as he was to the dangers and hardships of frontier
life, even the cowboys admired bis daring. Still, it
was with a keen sense of relief that he saw an ap
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IT WAS WITH A KEEN SENSE OF RELIEF THAT HE SAW AN APPROACHING CLOUD OF DUST
THAT TOLD HIM THE MEN WERE C OMINQ.
like that unless they were stampeding. Surely that at that moment. Furiously the cloud of dust ap
couldn't be Bolter! The scout would have been sure to proached, drew near, then parted, and out of It
there came, not horns, bat hones ridden as If thJ
evil one possessed tbe reins. There was there oonlJ
be no more doubt It was Bolter and his gang.
Ernest'e flrat thought .waa of tht men acattere
hopelessly over the valley; then rf the women an
children in the stockade, defenseless and as yet on
conscious of their danger; then of the cattle, f Ah
the cattle! Putting spurs to his horse, he dashed V
the corral gates, tore them wide open, and the flev
to the rear of the inclosure, and. shouting like
maniac, swung his coat in the air above his head. To
one Instant three thousand six hundred beads ward
in the air. The next four times as many hoofs wen
thundering down the valley in a hopeless stampedeJ
A railroad train would not have stopped that mh
Nothing could withstand or check it
The advancing horsemen drew rein for a moment
astonished at tbe commotion. Then, as the full aenan
of their danger burst upon them, they turned about!
and fled helter-skelter for their Uvea. Desperate men
they were, and only desperate riding could save them
When the cowboys returned, the noise and dustj
had died away, and the desperadoes were disorganised!
and scattered. Here wss the ranchmen's chance, aaa
so well did they Improve It thanks to their habit of!
Quick thinking and acting in an emergency, that!
Bolter left nearly half his gang prisoners In the hand.
of their intended victims.
Cowboy skill soon rounded up the scared and scat
tered cattle. Tbe scout T Poor fellow, he had kept
his last watch. Bolter's sharp-shooters had surprised!
him at the post of duty. And Ernest T Well, a week
later, a half-dozen of the ranch owners came up from
Denver and held a meeting In the main ranch house
Aa they sat around the fire they were told the atom
of Ernest's exploit, and immediately they clubbed to-
gcther to send him East to school. He graduates
with high honors, and not many years later becam
the prosperous owner of the very ranch which hi:
pluck and cool-headedness had saved from Bolter an
his desperadoes.
& A AN OLD-TIME CALIFORNIA BURGLAR, by JOAQUIN MILLER- 4
IN the fall of 1849, Mr. Andrew Jackson Larlson
A sailed out of Boston harbor for the gold mines
Of California.
The first day out the handle of his name was
knocked off, for this bright and handsome boy
, war working his wsy on a sailing ship around Cape
; Horn, and sea captains of those days had no time to
waste on long names. He was only Larlson after he
left land and his visiting card behind him.
Qn landing in 8an Francisco, Mr. Andrew Jackson
Larlson of Boston, Maesachusetts, was taken dowu
wita smallpox. Tbe poor fellow left the hospital
without a dollar or a friend, and with hardly a spare
'(garment Still he was stout of heart, a brave and
determined boy, as were ten thousand others of those
times who were trying to make a little fortune for
the dear ones at home, and he did not falter.
The day after leaving the hospital, with his pale,
thin face all in dots and spots, he engaged to work
Ids passage up the Sacramento River to the mines.
MWhat Is your name?" demanded the gruff captain
; With a green patch on his right eye and a sllver-
taounted Biz-shooter In his belt.
! iAndrew Jackson Larlson, sir," said the pale young
3nah with the spots and dots on his face.
i"Hey? Well, Mr. Andrew Jackson Lazarus," roared
Jthe captain, "take that coal-shovel and report to the
(mate, and be quick about it, too."
- And so Lazarus became his name Lazarus, and
, lLazarus only, for soon the other parts of his name
)wwe again rubbed off.
:- 1 .When young Larlson reached the goid mines he
(found there had been a great stampede for mlb.es said
fc be of fabulous richness farther on over the moun
tains. All along the banks of the little gold-bearing
trtvef he saw deserted cabins the latchstrlng hang
jlng out ready for any who chose to enter and take
possession.
A 1 good custom was this In the old days. Let a
jparty of gold hunters, game hunters or even punters
after health, gonto the mountains and build a cabin
for the season, care was always taken to leave It neat
and clean and ready for the first poor wayfarer who
might pass that way.
. - Larlson pushed as far on up the stream as hla legs
Would take him the first day. Near the lead of the
(placer mines he found a cabin with the rickety door
wide open.; He entered and took possession.
11 A ine stream of water ripppled and ran through
khe mossy boulders under the great, sweeping pine
end fir and yew trees. The place was so still that the
young man could bear his heart beat as he stood on
Jthe earthen flood before the huge fireplace and looked
bout In one corner was a battered old rocker, a
shovel, pick and a few other tools. In the southwest
corner arose a tier of "bunks," not unlike the berths
of a ship jn arrangement. In each bunk waa spread
a thick layer of fir and pine boughs, which gave out a
pleasant odor. But on the topmost bunk, best of all,
the thoughtful miners, on going away, had thrown
their rough, outer clothing aa well as some empty
flour sacks, gunny bags and so on.
Larlson hastily climbed up to this topmost bunk,
by setting his feet on the two lower bunks as if
mounting a ladder, and the poor fellow soon had a
fairly comfortable bed arranged on top of the fragrant
boughs. Then he descended, struck a match, and
from the pine quills and pine knots to be had at the
door for the picking up, he built a fire so bright that
it lit up the laughing little stream through the open
door.
He went out, washed his hands and face in the cool
water, took a refreshing drink, returned to his cabin,
closed the door, and dined heartily on cookies and
cheese which the gruff but kind old captain had made
him put In his pocket on leaving the boat.
Our young gold-hunter slept soundly. He was now
"an honest miner," with cabin, bunk, tools, claim all
things, indeed, but gold. Was the gold there In the
ground, down on the bedrock, deep under the big
mossy boulders 7 He would soon see.
With sleeves rolled above his elbows, and with bare
feet, he wrought and he wrestled till nearly sundown.
Not a "color," although he struck the hard, -blue bed
rock in many places that first day.
He climbed out of his claim, very tired and hungry,
but not disheartened. Tbe water had sung pleasantly
to him all day. Beautiful Wl! flowers had leaned out
from the bank, as If to cam tort him in his solitude.
The great solemn pines sang their mighty monotone
In the warm winds of the sierras high over his head,
and it made him think pleasantly of the pine woods
of home.
He had passed by a small grocery store the even
ing before, a mile or so down the stream. Thither
he now returned, after arranging his tattered raiment
as best he might, and laid his case before the bearded
Missourian who kept the "store." As the Mlssourian
was both kind and anxious to see work resumed at'
the deserted diggings, he readily let Larlson have "on '
tick" what he timidly asked for a codfish and two
pounds of crackers.
Next day tbe same song of the pines, the same
sweet flowers leaning from the banks of the tumbling
little stream, the same strenuous toil, too but not a
color of gold.
The lad was growing dizzy as he leaned over to
strike a few last blows in the depths of a crevice of
the bedrock which he had been following all day
without even a color to encourage him. His pick
sank deej deeper than ever before and the clear
"THE SMELL OF HAM HAD MADE THE. BEAR A
BURGLAR."
water took on a dirty clay hue. He leaned over, took
a handful of this dirty yellow stuff from the point of
his pick, and was about to throw it behind him and
strike again, when he saw something glitter in his
hand. He stooped to the water, and saw "Gold!
gold! gold I"
It did not take long to let the water wash the
clay away as it ran gurgling down the crevice Be
fore it was yet fairly night the hungry man had
nearly filled with gold dust a little pint cup which he
found in the cabin.
But it was clear that this was only a "pocket." If
he had had half a day still before him he would have
been able to scoop it out and turn his back on it all;
In which case this story would not have been written.
The resolute boy had those dependent on him far
away who wore very dear. They would need all the
gold. And then It was only one more day at furthest.
He would remain to get all. With this resolution
and a light heart, although a heavy Btep, he tottered
down to the store. He would not--he could not
leave his gold behind him. He went his way, think
ing all the time what he would have to cat on his
return.
Ham! Ham and onions! Fried ham and on,lons!
That was what he wyuld have. He almost ran as he
neared the Etore.
Four men were playing cards at a table as he came
in. Two others lay on benches asleep. Tho return
tide of the stampede had set in, and men wero not
nearly so scarce in the camp as before. Larlson let
his gold sink deep down in his pocket.
He found the bearded Mlssourian behind bis
counter, and asked to pay his bilL The storekeeper
seemed to have forgotten him. But after looking him
In the face for a while he said: "Oh, jee, yes; I re
member you now. Lot me see what it was you got."
Turning around to the wall he put his finger on a
number of little dots and spots. These were, for Lari
son's name; for the storekeeper could not read.
Under the spots and dots were the tall of a fish and
the outline of a craoker, with four llttlo marks below.
"I also want a ham and a pound of crackera a
whole ham. I'm hungry. And I want onions a
pound of onions!"
The storekeeper handed over the ham, tied up the
crackers and took the gold and weighed out bis due.
Larlson Immediately picked up his bundle and start
ed for his cabin.
How fast he did walk! And, how fragrant was that
ham as It fried and cooked in the new fire on the
hearthstone! The bag of gold he laid on the table.
Now and then the young man turned his eye from
the pan to the gold with a happy heart. One more
day, then home!
He set the pan of frizzing ham on the table, closed
the door and sat down to his meal.
4
Suddenly there was a noise outside. The yound
man started to his feet, trembling and palo. The nols
! grew louder, as of many feet, now close to the door.
But he did not lose his presence of mind. He wa:
certain the noise was of the four men he had seen
at the card table.
He had noticed them shrink from him and whlspe
among themselves. At the time he had (bought tbeyf
were referring to the fresh marks of smallpox on JbJH
face. The singular way In which the storekeeper had
set down his name on the wall confirmed him In this
But why should those men come to rob him if then
believed he had the smallpox? Was his gold mora
precious to them than life?
How quickly a man thinks at a time like this!
What was to bo done? He was alone and unarmed
There were, he believed, four burglars no doubt all
well armed. The noise grew louder. There waa
great battering at the frail door.
Suddenly Larlson made his plan. He dashetLthef
gold against the stone wall that formed the back oq
the chimney. Tho precious contents sank down, tafei
in the deep ashes.
Then with one bound Larlson sprang up high In thel
topmost bunk and covered his face as he groaned
"Smallpox! Smallpox!"
The door was now broken open with a terrlflo crash.
Then Larlson heard the din and rattle and noise ofl
heavy feet. But there was no word spoken except!
by the youth with covered faoe, high up In the corner.
who uttered the wall of "Smallpox! Smallpox! Small-I
poxl" I
Aiur a lime Sanson paused 10 listen, txe cotulu
now hear nothing at all but the beating of his heart
He rubbed bis hands with glee at the thought of his
shrewd device. The gold, be knew, was all thera In
the ashes. Half an hour's washing would restore ltJ
to him. Then he would get the rest out of the pocket
and strike for Massachusetts by the shortest possible
route. Planning this, still full of heart and hope, bef
turned over in nis Dunx ana fell asleep.
The sun was high when he awoke. Peering, onu
cautiously, quite ready to hide his head and 'cry!
"Smallpox!" at the first sight or sound of an ln-
truder, he saw, heardnothing at all!
Then he came down and looked about The crack-l
era were gone. The frying pan lay upsido down on
the floor. The ham was gone also!
Turning to the door in a bewildered fashion hd
saw on the soft earth outside the tracks 'of his as-l
sallant They were big, broad tracks the tracks ofl
a grizzly bear. The smell of ham bad made the bean
a burglar!
But Larlson was rich!
THE BETTER PART OF VALOR by Carolyn Wells
The fearlesscst baby you ever
did see
LWas little Xantippe Zenobia
;U Eeej-;::'.- V.- ,
n.
m.
. j 1 j 1 r ... 1 1 n
She calmly stood still, without
tremor or shock,
When she saw her. great
grandmother's great turkey-cock.
.When to ruffle his feathers the
turkey began,
Do you think that Xantippe
Zenobia ran ?
No ! She turned up her queer
little nose, and said "Fooh !
You needn't think that I'm
frightened at youl"
The turkey swelled bigger;
his tail-feathers spread ;
And ha puffed up his virrgs.
Then he waggled his head
And looked toward the babyj
With agonized squeals
Xantippe Zenobia took to hex?
beefs!
Copyright, ly Century Co.
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