264 OBSERVATIONS OF A RANCHWOMAN 



thought she would recognize the original in 

 the event of meeting him. She replied con- 

 fidently in the affirmative. Soon after the 

 guest was provided with blankets, and with- 

 drew for the night to the shelter of some 

 wool-sacks on the porch. 



When he joined the family at breakfast 

 the following morning, he had tied his head 

 up in a handkerchief, and complained of 

 headache, the fact being, of course, that by 

 means of the handkerchief he hoped to 

 change his appearance. The father and 

 eldest son were off betimes to round up 

 some cattle, and the women and children 

 were alone. The mother and daughter were 

 engaged in cleaning house, and the young 

 stranger made himself useful in moving 

 furniture, etc. 



After awhile, however, the mother took 

 alarm at the thought of a bucketful of silver 

 money in the store the father was a 

 Government agent and pretending that 

 house-cleaning was over for the day, she 

 dismissed her visitor, bestowing on him 

 ample provisions, and receiving in return 



