Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 4 — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE TRAIL HORDE. “ Just wonderin’,” hesitated Blackburn; “ just wonderin’. You seen this here man, Warden?’”’ Lawler had not met Warden; he had not even seen the man from a distance. That was because he had not visited Willets since Warden had bought Lefingwell’s ranch and assumed Lefingwell’s position as resi- dent buyer for a big Eastern live-stock com- pany. Lawler had heard, though, that Warden seemed to be capable enough; that he had entered upon the duties of his position smoothly, without appreciable commotion; - he had heard that Warden was quiet and “easy-going,” and that as a cattle buyer he seemed to ‘‘ know his business.”’ This information had reached Lawler’s ears through the medium of neighboring cattle owners, and he was not prepared to form an estimate of Warden until he had an opportunity personally to talk with him. _ “ Well,’ went on Blackburn, “ them that’s looked him over don’t hesitate to say the don’t measure up to Jim Lefingwell’s size.” 7 ‘“‘ Jim was a mighty big man—in size and principles,” said Lawler. _ | ‘“‘ Now you’re shoutin’! ‘There wasn’t no man bigger ’n Jim, sideways, edgeways, or up an’ down. Mebbe that’s what’s wrong with Folks has got Jim Lefingwell on ingwell. Warden. their minds, an’ they’re not givin’ Warden | what’s comin’ to him, them bein’ biased.” He squinted at Lawlor. ‘ Folks is hintin’ that Warden don’t own Jim: Lefingwell’s — ranch at all; that some Eastern guys bought it, an’ that Warden’s just managin’ it. Seems like they’s a woman at the Lefing- well’s old place, keepin’ Warden company. She’s Eastern, too, they say. Got a old maid with her to keep her company—a chapperown, they say—which ain’t in no ways illuminatin’ my think-tank none. Which. is a chapperown?” “ A kind of moral monitor, Blackburn,” erinned Lawler. ‘Some folks need them. If vou’re thinking of getting one—” “Bah!” Blackburn’s eyes were vitriolic with disgust. “‘ I sabe what you are hintin’ at when you gas of morals—which I’m a I reckon any man would. have a hard time measurin’ up to Jim Lef- — 483 heap acquainted with because I ain’t got none to speak of. But I’m plumb flabber- gasted when you go to connectin’ a battle- ship with morals. Accordin’ to my school- in’, a monitor is a thing which blows the stuffin’ out of—” ‘“A monitor. of morals could do that,” gravely said Lawler. “In fact, according to the best authorities, there have been many monitors who have blown the stuffing out of the reputations of their charges.” Blackburn gulped. He was puzzled, and his eyes were glazed with the incomprehen- sion which had seized him. Twice again as he watched Lawler’s grave face he gulped. And then he eyed Lawler bellig- — erently. ‘“I reckon them monitors is Eastern? I’ve never saw one gallivantin’ around these parts.” '“"Fhey’re a lot Eastern,” assented Law- ler. “‘ I’ve never seen one, but I’ve read about them in books. And once my mother saw one—she tells me the East raises them by the hundred.”’ ‘“ That*accounts for it,’ declared Black- burn; “anything which comes from the East is likely to be a “heap shy on hoss sense.” He now squinted at Lawler, watching ‘“Accordin’ to report Joe Hamlin. ought to go around draggin’ one of them moni- tors.” Blackburn shrewdly noted the quickening of Lawler’s eyes, and the dull red that stole into his face. “What do you mean, Blackburn?” “Davies an’ Harris hit town agin last night, an’ comin’ back they run plumb into Joe Hamlin. He was in the upper end of the box arroyo. He’d roped an’ hog-tied ‘a Circle L cow an’ was bloftin’ our brand out.” : ‘“What happened?’ Lawler’s lips were set in grim lines. ‘“ Nothin’—followin’ your orders regard- in’ the*cuss. Davies an’ Harris let him go —after warnin’ him. Somethin’ ought to be done. It ain’t addin’ a heap to the morals of the outfit for the men to know a man can rustle catth that promiscuous —an’ the boss not battin’ an eye over it. OOO (C(O) SJ (C(C)