It is lonely out here on the range. There is no one to talk to except my horse and the cactus. The ramrod of the 4d ranch sent me out here to gather up strays, that might have wandered off from the herd. The boss and his family were going to lose the 4d if something wasn't done quick. I found a few doggies, But that wasn't enough to help save the ranch. And to make matters worse, the bosses son had become a drunkard. Every night he would go to Zeke's bar in town and drink all of his father's money away. If anyone said anything to him, he would want to fight. Most of the time he would win. But when it looked like he wouldn't, he would draw his gun. Lucky he didn't shoot anybody, but often he came close to it.

     The brother would come home to the ranch and stumble in the door, he would call his sister names and demand that she fix him something to eat. After he ate, he would lay on the sofa in the parlor, and fall asleep. He would always tell his little sister, ever since ma died you have been pa's favorite, he is gonna leave you everything, but not if I can help it. He muttered while he was passing out.

     What his pa and sister didn't know was that he had made a deal with Zeke. They would gather up some rustlers, and have them rustle the herd of the 4d. Zeke would sell the rustled cattle and split the money with Ben, the son. In the end Zeke would buy the 4d ranch and give Ben enough acres to start a ranch of his own.

     One night as I was watching the herd, some rustlers came riding over the hill, They were whooping and hollerin, and shooting their guns in the air. I tried to keep the cattle calm, but they stampeded anyway. I spurred my horse to get in front of the herd, I was going to turn them, they were headed for a cliff, if they went over they would all be killed. I was so lucky, I got in front of them, and I turned them at the last second. Some of the wranglers from the 4d were on their way back from town, They saw what was happening and rode towards the rustlers with their gun blazing, the rustlers ran off.

     When all of us got back to the bunkhouse, we sat around and talked about it. Then we went to bed. The next morning before breakfast, Jim the ramrod walked toward the ranch house. We all knew that Jim was sweet on miss Millie, so we thought he went to the ranch house to have breakfast. But it was just a few minutes later, he came back to the bunkhouse. Ned the boss wants to see you, is all he said. I had no idea what he would want to see me for, but I went as I was told.

     I knocked on the door, as I was waiting for someone to answer, I paced back and forth on the porch, trying to think why the boss would wan to see me. As far as I knew I had done nothing wrong. Finally the door opened and Ben was standing there, I guess you think your a big hero now huh? What do you mean I asked. you'll see, he directed me to the parlor where the boss was sitting in an overstuffed leather chair. Miss Millie was sitting across from him in chair with lace all around it. The boss told me to sit on the sofa, and reached for the decanter of whisky sitting on the table beside him, He poured two glasses full from the decanter and offered one to me. Jim told me what y ou did last night boy. Thank you so much, he raised his glass and I gently banged mine against his, I love the 4d so much sir, I would do what I think your talking about every night. When we were through talking, Miss Millie saw me to the door. Ben had gone upstairs to drink his own whisky probably.

     I couldn't get beautiful Miss Millie out of my mind all that day, I had never seen such a pretty girl in all of my life. I knew the ramrod Jim was sweet on her, but I just couldn't help myself, That girl was going to be mine. I dreamed about her that night, I woke up knowing I had a plan, I told Jim my stomach was bothering me, I didn't eat breakfast and told Jim I would be along later, I waited until all of the wranglers left. and then I went to the ranch house and started to knock on the door, but before I could knock Miss Millie opened the door, come in I have been expecting you, as she winked at me. I took my hat off as she took my hand and showed me to the immense kitchen, She pulled a chair out from under the table and asked me to sit down. As I sat, she went over to the stove and poured two mugs of coffee, She put them on the table and sat down across from me. Now what is it you want to ask me? is it will I go with you Saturday night to the grange dance? I would love to go with you. Now will you excuse me, I have to fix breakfast for my pa and my brother. I had a date and I hadn't said a word, but it was all right with me.

     I joined Jim and a few of the boys, while they were mending fences, that the cattle had knocked down during their stampede. I tried to keep my mind on my work but the vision of Miss Millie kept flashing in front of my face. Bring that wire over here. Can't you understand English? Those remarks and more, were made to me all of the rest of the day.

     That night it was very quiet in the bunkhouse, after supper I sat with my head in my hands, thinking of Miss Millie's beauty. I realized then that I was in love with her. And she hinted, that I was something special to her, But what about Jim? How were we going to show up at the dance together?

     The rustlers were getting braver now, they set fire to the barn and the bunkhouse, they even threw fire torches at the main house as they rode by. But Jim was ready for them. He had us practice a bucket brigade, he had us place all the buckets we would need to put out a fire by the watering trough. We put out the fires in a few minutes, they had done no harm to the buildings, A few of the men chased the rustlers into the night, it was to dark to see them so they turned back. We all went into the little damaged bunkhouse, and laughed at those foolish rustlers and raiders for thinking the could burn down the 4d ranch. We scared the hell out of them said, Lloyd, one of the wranglers.

     The next day was Friday, There was only one more day for the dance to happen, I spent the whole day, thinking it was me that was gonna take miss Millie to the dance. Then it was Saturday, I spent the whole day trying to keep from sweating, Oh sure, I was going to take a bath for the dance, But I didn't want any lingering others coming from me. I just sat in my saddle and enjoyed the warm sun on my back. When night began to fall, I went into the bunkhouse and heated the water to take a bath. Whoo you smell like a French whore Lloyd said to me when I finished my bath.

     It was time for me to go to the ranch house to get Miss Millie, I hurried up the stairs to the porch and knocked on the door. I had never seen a prettier picture in my life as Miss Millie, Her hair was brushed below he r shoulders, she wore a gingham dress that fit her perfectly. I don't know why, but I turned and saw Floyd standing there, with the Sunday go to meeting rig in hand. We walked down the steps,and while Floyd held the team of horses, I helped Miss Millie in the carriage. Floyd told me he knew all of the time I was taking miss Millie to the dance, But miss Millie made him promise to keep it a secrete, Lloyd gave me a thumbs up again as I sat next to the prettiest woman in the territory. Our bodies touched, she felt oh so warm in the chilly night air, Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I thought she moved even closer to me. Lloyd gave me the thumbs up sign as I clucked to the horses, Even the horses seemed like they wanted to go to the dance too.

     We got to the old barn dance in time. There was a boy that took care of the horses as we went in. Old lady Oriely was playing her fiddle, Mrs. Jones was playing the piano, While Mr, Jones banged away on the tambourine, the whole band was playing Turkey in the straw, While the dancers did the polka, A person did not have to look twice, to see that everyone was having fun. Girls were dancing with girls. The young fellers were standing against the wall laughing and joking, Every now and then, one of the young men would cast an eye at a girl. she would turn red and look at him back, It never was long before he went over and asked her to dance.

     Then Jim showed up.and later Millie's brother came in. Anyone could tell he was drunk. Wassa matter Jim somebody got your gal? Jim didn't answer, Jim goes to the refreshment counter, and orders some apple cider. Are you going to drink that straight? Jim is seething but still he does nothing. Ben, the son never liked Jim ever since his father made Jim the ramrod of the 4d ranch, He felt it should have been him his father chose. Are you scared of that guy Jim? That did it. Jim gave Ben one punch and sent him crashing to the floor. Ben while laying on the floor took out his gun and shot Jim in the head. People came to Jim's aid, but it was to late, Jim was dead.