The Boy from the Ranch | Page 7

I went to New York I'd probably
be worse off than I am here, for I would want to try all sorts of new
dishes, and my dyspepsia would be very bad."
"Very well, dad. I'll get ready at once. It sure will be a new experience
for me. I'll round-up this Caleb Annister for you, rope him and put the
branding iron on, if I find he's trying to get any of our mavericks into
his herd."
"That's the way to talk!" exclaimed Mr. Bradner. "You're a regular
westerner, Roy. Don't let the ways of city folks bother you. Do the best
you know how, be polite to the ladies, respectful to the men, and don't
let 'em bluff you! Stick up for your rights, and don't be afraid of
anybody. They may try to stampede you in New York, but you keep
your head, and you'll come out all right."
"I'll try, dad. When do you want me to start?"
"To-morrow, if you can. The boys will be in from the round-up then."
That day Roy spent in getting his clothes packed in a big valise and a

trunk. It was decided he should ride to the nearest railroad station, and
there take a train for Chicago, where he would have to change cars for
New York.
In the meanwhile Mr. Bradner drew up a paper giving his son the right
to act in a certain capacity. This was put into legal form, and witnessed,
a near-by notary being called in to attach his seal.
"Of course I don't know exactly how you will find the lay of the land
there in New York," said Mr. Bradner that night, "as I have never been
there. Nor do I know this Caleb Annister. I have had considerable
correspondence with him, and I take him to be a sharp business man.
He may try to bluff you, but don't you stand for it. It might be a good
plan to size him up first, before you tell him who you are."
"That's what I'll do, dad."
"You'll have to make your own plans when you get there," went on his
father. "You may have to spend considerable money, so I'll give you a
good sum in cash, and a draft on my New York bankers. If you get in a
hole do the best you can, and telegraph me if you need help. Just camp
on the trail of this Caleb Annister, and see what his game is. It doesn't
stand to reason that property in New York is shrinking in value. I think
there is something wrong somewhere, and I depend on you to find it."
"I hope I won't disappoint you, dad."
"I don't believe you will, Roy. Now you had better get to bed, for it's
quite late, and you'll have a hard journey ahead of you."
Roy did not feel a bit tired, for he was hardy and strong, but he did as
his father suggested. He could not get to sleep at first thinking of his
prospective trip, for he had always wanted to go to a big city, and now
he had the chance.
Billy Carew and the other cowboys came in the next morning with the
steers, which were turned into a corral for branding purposes. Roy told
his friends of his journey.

"Prancing prairie dogs!" exclaimed Billy. "I wish I was going. Lickity
thunder, but that's a great trip, clear to New York!"
"We'll ride to the station with you," proposed Bruce Arkdell. "We'll
give you a good send off!"
"That's what we will!" chorused the others.
Roy was to start soon after dinner, as the Chicago express would not
stop at the railroad station of Painted Stone unless it was flagged.
A little later a strange procession left the ranch house. Roy and Billy
Carew rode at the head, and all the cowboys who could be spared
followed after. Roy's trunk and valises were strapped on the back of a
pack mule.
Mr. Bradner, who was not quite well enough to stand the trip to the
station, bade his son an affectionate good-bye, and wished him all
success.
"Telegraph if you get into trouble," he said.
"Yes, and we'll all hot-foot it to the burg of New York, and shoot-up
the town!" exclaimed Billy. "We'll show 'em how a boy from the ranch
can be took care of!"
"I guess there'll be no need of that," remarked Roy with a smile.
It was several miles to the railroad station, and, on the way the
cowboys rushed their ponies here and there, indulging in all sorts of
antics, for they regarded it as a sort of a holiday, though they liked Roy,
and were sorry to see him leave.
"Now boys! Give him a