A Missouri Schoolmarm

By Zane Grey

Three cowboys vie for the attention of a Missouri schoolmarm.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wilder Publications, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781633840010

Zane Grey

Zane Grey (1872–1939) was an American writer best known for western literature. Born and raised in Ohio, Grey was one of five children from an English Quaker family. As a youth, he developed an interest in sports, history and eventually writing. He attended University of Pennsylvania where he studied dentistry, while balancing his creative endeavors. One of his first published pieces was the article “A Day on the Delaware" (1902), followed by the novels Betty Zane (1903) and The Spirit of the Border (1906). His career spanned several decades and was often inspired by real-life settings and events.

Book preview

A MISSOURI SCHOOLMARM

BY ZANE GREY

Wilder Publications

Copyright © 2014 Wilder Publications

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

Manufactured in the United States of America

10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1

ISBN 978-1-63384-001-0

With jingling spurs a tall cowboy stalked out of the post office to confront three punchers who were just then crossing the wide street from the saloon opposite.

Look heah, he said, shoving a letter under their noses. Which one of you longhorns wrote her again?

From a gay, careless trio his listeners suddenly looked blank, then intensely curious. They stared at the handwriting on the letter.

Tex, I’m a son-of-a-gun if it ain’t from Missouri! exclaimed Andy Smith, his lean red face bursting into a smile.

It shore is, declared Nevada.

From Missouri! echoed Panhandle Hanes.

Well? asked Tex, almost with a snort.

The three cowboys drew back to look from Tex to one another, and then back at Tex.

It’s from her, went on Tex, his voice hushing on the pronoun. You all know that handwritin’. Now how about this deal? We swore none of us would write to this schoolmarm. But some one of you has double-crossed the outfit.

Loud and simultaneous protestations of innocence arose from them. But it was evident that Tex did not trust them, and that they did not trust him or each other.

Say boys, said Panhandle suddenly. I see Beady Jones in here lookin’ darn sharp at us. Let’s get off in the woods somewhere.

Back to the bar, said Nevada. I reckon we’ll all need bracers.

Beady! exclaimed Tex as they turned across the street. He could be to blame as much as any of us. An’ he was still at Stringer’s when we wrote the first letter.

Shore. It’d be more like Beady, said Nevada. But Tex, your mind ain’t workin’. Our lady friend from Missouri wrote before without gettin’ any letter from us.

How do we know thet? asked Tex suspiciously. Shore the boss’ typewriter is a puzzle, but it could hide tracks. Savvy, pards?

Doggone it, Tex, you need a drink, said Panhandle peevishly.

They entered the saloon and strode up to the bar, where from all appearances Tex was not the only one to seek artificial strength. Then they repaired to a corner, where they took seats and stared at the letter Tex threw down before them.

From Missouri, all right, said Panhandle, studying the postmark. Kansas City, Missouri.

It’s her writin’, said Nevada, in awe. Shore I’d know that out of a million letters.

"Ain’t you goin’ to read it to