“The facts regarding Jimmy, who is my sister’s son, are these,” said the ranchman when he resumed speaking. “The boy, whose home is at Brownsville, had an intense longing to be a cowboy, and also the wanderlust had seized him. Receiving no encouragement in either of these ideas he considered himself very badly used indeed.”
“A cowboy’s life ain’t nothin’ to hanker after,” remarked Blimby, frankly.
“We did our best to make Jimmy understand that,” continued Colonel Sylvester, with a faint smile. “His father ardently wished him to study law, but that profession had no attraction for him.”
“That’s mighty odd,” commented Tom. “Why, our Bob is going to be a lawyer.”
“When Jimmy’s parents went to New York on an extended visit they left him in charge of Mr. Raymond’s partner. The lad stood this arrangement for a short while; then, after leaving a note for his temporary guardian, he and his savings left Brownsville together.”
“Humph!” muttered Tom.
“He headed straight for the ‘Eagle Pass’ Ranch, thinking, of course, that I should see the matter from his point of view. I told the lad bluntly, however, that he was not at all suited for such a life, and ordered him to return to Brownsville forthwith.”
“And he didn’t,” said Tom.
“No, not a bit of it. I found that he possessed far more spirit and courage than I had ever given him credit for. The rebellious Jimmy, disagreeing with everybody, immediately took himself away to parts unknown.”
“Just like a kid!” growled the cowboy.