BEAUTIFUL TEXAS
A JAGUAR AND A
GIRL WHO CAPTURED A WILD HORSE
MILLIONAIRE
E.
Fanny Murion, a Texas girl,
has displayed the audacity, skill,
and daring of a veteran warrior.
Unaided she has captured a.nd
teamed the wildest horso that
ever led a band of mustangs over
hill and plain; she has driven a
full grown Jaguar into a strong
cotton sack lashed in the mouth
of his den, and she has fed a.nd
thrashed the ferocious beast un
til it licked her hand and fol
lowed her like a pet lamb; she
has slain a monster mountain
lion, "the terror of the ranches,"
for whoso scalp she might ha.vo
received a reward of a thousand
dollars in sold; and while carry
ing more hearts at her belt than
a.ny other beauty of tho border
she has brought a young mil
lionaire to his knees at her fest.
VERY BODY on the southern frontier of Texas
is talking nf Funny Marlon. Sho lias gin In
old "Clubfoot," a mountain lion, that long de
fk'd the prowess and skill of veteran hunters
while It fattened upon young cattle and fine
colts.
This remarkable young woman has attract
ed more or less attention ever sinee Bhe was
able to ride. She first startled the community by planning
to capture " Black Tiger," a famous wild horse that had
many limes run uway from the fastest racehorses In the coun
try. Failure did not cool the determined girl's ardor. Find
ing that the magnificent black horse was faster and smarter
than other animals of his kind, the shrewd young girl deter
mined to involve him in the meshes of a stratagem.
.4 J
Determines to Catch lid Horse.
Expert ropers had followed Black Tiger's trail for daya
nd days without ever coming within reach of the wonder
ful racer. More patient horsemen had tried the experiment
nf " walking down " this animal. They had hung close on
his heels clay and night for weeks, giving him no time to feed,
sleep, or drink. The noble animal had always found some way
to elude his pursuers.
Miss Morion had watched Black Tiger loading his band of
mustangs to water and she noticed that. In returning to tho
range, ho always followed the same trail leading through the
forest. Selecting a large oak, with a high limb that hung over
t lie narrow path, the girl arranged a noose and attached
It to the limb In such a way Jhat the wild horse would bp
apt to thrust his hend Into It provided he did not scent danger.
Concealing herself near the trap, she watched the prancing
herd galloping away from the watering place. Bluck Tiger,
ns usual, led the band. The animal was In fine form. Ills
jet black hair glistened and Ills long mane and tall swept
the ground. There was a wild look In his fine eyes, foam was
Hying from his nostrils, and his head was held high in the
air.
St
Captures Pride of Plains.
Brutus Buford, a rich young Kentucklan, who owned a
horse runch In the neighborhood, had offered $1,000 for Black
Tiger with a rope about his neck. As the gallant horse drew
near the tree Miss Murlon thinking, " If I can master
him he Is worth a fortune."
Black Tiger did not sec the noose, but when tho rope
touched his neck he sprang forward as If a bullet had struck
him. The girl was surprised at the conduct of her captive.
Instead of surging against tho rope and choking himself down,
as a mustang would have done, Black Tiger no sooner felt tho
rope tighten about his neck than he took a step forward,
snorting and looking greatly surprised, and then stood still.
It Is now confidently believed that this splendid nnimal
answered " the call of the wild," and that he strayed awuy
from the ranch when ho was about 3 years old. lie has
every mark of a thoroughbred, and since he bears a striking
resemblance to the great St. Florlan, It Is almost certain that
there are strains of the best blood In his veins that the Uluo
Grass region ever produced.
The young girl might have exchanged her capture for a
sum of money that she considered a fortune, for she la tho
only daughter of a widowed mother of limited means. Bhe
'7 x.
preferred to master the fine animal, fully conscious of the
admiration that she would excite when she became able to
gallop him over the plains and circle about the camps of the
cowboys In the vicinity. Black Tiger soon learned to take
sugar and salt from the hands of his mistress, and It was not
long before tho sensible horse was following her about like
a pet dog. It proved to be no difficult matter for the venture
some girl to break her new mount to the saddle, and to the
amaxement of the rough riders of the border, only a few days
passed before Fanny Murlon was dashing over hill and plain,
mounted upon the finest looking horse ever seen in western
Texas.
Old plainsmen had thought Black Tiger to be incorrigible.
People hold their breaths when they saw the daring young
girl forcing the magnificent animal to leap over wire fences
and circle about the herds at full speed.
Plots to Capture Jaguar.
While the people of the community were wondering what
Fanny Murlon would do next the story spread abroad that
she had captured a full grown Jaguar. This proved to be true.
A monster jaguar had been preying upon cattle and young
horses In the ranch pastures for two or three years. Various
efforts had been made to capture or slay the bloodthirsty
beast, but It still roamed at large defying hounds and hunters.
Large rewards had been offered for the scalp of the jaguar
by the suffering ranchers, but the boldest and most expert
hunters had failed to get a shot at the monster or locate Its
luir.
One evening as Fanny Murlon was galloping Black Tiger
through tho mountain pans she accidentally saw the famous
jaguar entering Its den under a ledgo of rock. It required but
u few seconds for the quick wltted girl to form a plan for
capturing the dangerous beast alive. After closely examining
the mouth of the den and the locality, the daring girl returned
to her home to make preparations for her desperate under
taking. Procuring two large, strong sacks, used by cotton pickers,
she placed one Inside the other and arranged a rope In tho
mouth of the sacks In such a way that they could be closed
by a quick jerk. She watched the lair of the Jaguar for sev
eral days in order to learn the habits of the animal before
she attempted to execute her plan. She discovered that the
jaguar entered his den about the same hour every evening,
doubtless for the purpose of taking a rest before he set out
on his nocturnal prowl.
Takes Bloodthirsty Beast Captive.
This strange girl might have taken a rifle and lain In wait
for the dangerous beast with every factor of success in her
favor, but It appears to be a part of her nature to court dan
ger, and, as she afterwards said, she wanted " to take the
terror alive and show the ranchers that a girl could lead him
at her belt." There is not a hunter In Texas who would have
attempted to execute her plan though tempted by the offer of
a heap of gold. The cotton sacks were placed In the mouth
of the den and covered with leaves. Black Tiger was tied at
some distance, and the vinturesome girl sat hidden among
tho rocks with a rifle in one hand and a rope connected with
the mouth of the sacks In the other.
A pack of hounds struck the trail of the Jaguar on that
same evening, and, when the animal came' tow ards his lair,
he came In a hurry. There was no time for investigation.
Ills old enemies were howling i his heels. He lunged Into
the den with a growl of triumph, but when tho sacks closed
behind him and he discovered that ho was trapped he uttered
a roar that aroused the girl to a Benso of her peril.
Struggling, snarling, and roaring, the Jaguar rolled In the
sacks out of the mouth of his lair. The girl ran to the side
of her captive, and, nfter tying the sacks hard and fast, sho
lt ft tho Jaguar alone with his troubles while she sought to
mount her horse. Black Tiger did not like the looks of the
sack, bouncing about and rolling along the mountain side,
but when his mistress had secured the rope attached to it and
given the word he sprang forward at a lively gait ns If he
knew that he was dragging his old enemy at his heels.
Miss Murlon secured a strong pair of shears, and whenever
a claw was thrust through the sacks she cut it off. After
wards she cut a hole In the sack for the Jaguar's nose. She
finally cut a slit largu enough to permit the head of the fero
cious beast to appear in the open air. Then, putting a
strong collar on his neck, she chained htm to a tree. Not
many days passed before the jaguar looked eagerly for his
mistress when she approached him with food and water.
Kindness conquered the ferocious beast, and in less than two
weeks he was as docile as a kitten.
Young Millionaire Falls in Love.
Miss Morion was now famous, and almost every young
man in the country was violently in love with her. Only
a few dared to venture close enough to hear her sweet voice
and enjoy a glance of her " tamjng and killing eyes." Tho
cowboys said: "She is not like other girls. Sho can coax a
wild horse to put his head into a noose and make a pet of
a bloody jaguar."
This fearless Texas girl called hrr last capture Dolly,
cither In derision or for the purpose of shaming the Texans
who had lived In fear of his ferocity. When Brutus Buford
saw Fanny Murlon circling about over the prairies, a big
jaguar leaping at her whip and Black Tiger looking as If he
are JuBt ready to break away and run wild, he felt his heart
beating fast and he whispered to himself " There Is the pret
tiest picture I ever saw in my life." That same night he ad
mitted to a friend that he was certainly " dead in love" with
that wonderful girl who raptured wild nmmais aim
smashed " the heart of vrry man who rrossed her pal ,.
"Why don't you tell her nbout It?" sal.' tho friend.
" Tell her." exclaimed Buford, " why, I haven't got a rare
horse that can catch her, and If I should slip up on her that
playful pet might tear me to pieces."
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Campaign Against Mexican Lion.
It was not long before this love stricken youth was brought
face to face with the objjot of his passion under circumstances
of a most extraordinary and exciting nature. A ferocious
Mexican lion, known as "old Clubfoot," had been preying on
tho young colts In Buford s pastures. The beast had donn
so much damage and been so successful In evading pursuit
that the wealthy young rancher In his wrath had offered a
reward of 1,ikki for tho sculp of the destructive lion. Club
foot could not be trapped. He had left a part of one foot be
tween two steel jaws hence his name an- hl wisdom.
" If that wonderful girl should happen tc kill or capture
old Clubfoot I should certainly consider her a superior being
nnd I am not sure but I should regard her with superstition,"
said Buford. That same evening as he was tiding over one of
his pastures he caught a glimpse of the picture that always
set his blood coursing hotly through his veins. The sun was
sinking like a great ball of fire In a sea of clouds of blue and
crimson, making a glorious background for Black Tiger and
his mistress upon n little knoll flooded with mellow sunbeams.
The black beauty stood like a statue with his head high In
tho air and his ears pricked forward. The pretty girl held her
hat In her hand and her long hair was floating in tho wind.
She seemed to be looking at some object above or beyond tho
man who was admiring her. The jaguar also saw or scented
something in the same direction.
St
Saves Life of Wealthy Rancher.
There was something so earnest about the living picture
that Buford was forced to look behind him. A glance at tho
tree under which he sat on his horse nearly congealed his
blood. Old Clubfoot sat on a limb within easy reach, licking
her chops and wagging her long tail. He did not have time to
move before the vicious beast leaped. One paw struck tho
horse and the other fell heavily upon Buford's shoulder.
Horse, man, and beast rolled upon tho ground. Buford was
unarmed, but ho possess-d groat strength. Ho had struggled
to his feet nnd ho had the lion by the throat. Though tho
snarling beast had Its long claws fastened In one of his shoul
ders, Buford was trying to beat It to death with his fist.
The lion lunged forward and its sharp fangs were touching
Buford's neck. A pistol cracked, and the monster sank quiv
ering at the astounded man's feet. When ho turned he saw
Fanny Murlon with a smoking revolver In her hand. " Are
you hurt?" she asked, as she slid from the saddle, leaving
Black Tiger to snort nnd snuff at the dead body of tho lion.
" You have saved my life," exclaimed the young man.
" How your wound bleeds," said Fanny. " Let me help
you." She led him to a tittle stream not far away, where sho
tore her apron Into strips and washed and bound up his
wounds.
Makes Her Greatest Capture.
Miss Murlon talked a gnat deal, but the wounded man
snt and looked at her in dumb admiration.
They rode together to the widow Murion's house.
When Buford departed the widow said to her daughter:
" Fanny, I think you have made another capture."
" I am sure of It, mamma."
ft A
1
T Is said that when a man Is In lovt hi wears
his heart on his sleeve, for he Is anxious to have
a girl know how his heart throbs. It Is like
wise held when a girl Is In love she conceals
her feeling in Its Innermost recesses. In other
words, coyness Is a characteristic common to
women at least expected of them at least tho
sweetly, feminine poets have made It so.
" The cruel nymph well knows to feign coy looks and" cold
disdain," sang Ciay. " And what value were there In tho
love of the maiden were It yielded without coy delay?" asked
Scott. This Is only partially true a glri tails In love quite
ah frequently as a man she at least romances regarding her
feeling- but she crushes them in the sole of her shoe Instead
of wearing her heart on her sleeve, because conventions de
cree she shall. " She will rather die than give any- sign of
affection." says Benedick of Beatrice, thus showing that coy
ness Is a dissemblance of feminine affection.
The students of psychology and sociology know that
women have cultivated an attitude of effeminate coyness
along with the thousand and one conventionalities that have
been thrust on them. In spite of these opinions, In the days
gone by It was almost us common for the women as the men
to do the courting. Today there are purts of the world where
young women feel they are doing nothing wrong by taking
this pleasure and responsibility on themselves.
Always Leap Year in Polynesia.
In Polynesia there are no women's club and the doctrines
Of woman's rights have never been heard, and still these half
cmaiuiiMtcd young girls feel they have the right to extend
nil offer of marriage to an equal or to an inferior. Their pro
posals are sometimes accepted, again rejected. When their
love is unanswered they do not commit suicide or take poison,
us an American novelist might make us believe. They may
grieve a little while, only to console themselves with the
thought, " If at Hut you don't succeed try, try again." These
proposals are often spoken In most romantic words.
A Fijian maiden desperately in love with a young man
asked his father If aha might lovs his son and receiving no
encouragement she said:
" Let me only live outside of his home. w 111 sleep dpon
the wood pile. If I may only light his clgaret for him I ahal'A
rejoice.
" I may only hear hit vole from a distance; It will suffice.
Life will be pleasant to me."
Tud Men Dare Not Propose.
Between the northern and southern extremity of New
Oulnea lies Torres strait. The largest Island In the strait
Is inhabited by Mclaneslans, whose oustoms are insular and
unique they are of special interest to students occupied with
the phenomena of love and nutrriage. They are, with one ex
ception, of the Papuan type: frizzled hair people who culti
vate the soil, use the bow and arrow, and, un-Australlaa like,
treat their women with consideration.
I W i hi I'TH i "T7irT7.""ii' iTi 'I ("W I WJI H I II h "1 I " "i f I i inpspsias TTi'i
Prof. A. C. Haddon, the most eminent authority on these
people, says that the women of the region are wonderfully
Independent, 't he most a man ever dares is to suggest he is
fond of a girl, but If he actually proposed he would be the
ltuwhlng stock of the whole district. On the island of Tuu
boys are taught:
" You no like girls first; If you do girls laugh and cull you
woman." When a girl likes a man she tells his sister and
gives her a ring of string. She tells the brother she has some
good news for him, and If he approves they .select a rendez
vous, where the conversation Is carried on In this manner:
"You like me, proper?"
" Yes," she declares. " I like you proper, with my heart
Inside. Eye along heart see you you my man."
Half frightened, he continues: " How you like meT"
She usually answers: " I like your leg your skin good.
You my man."
Sends Food to Man She Wooes.
In a neighboring Island courtship assumes a more prac
tical form. The love sick maiden sends her young man food,
and plenty of it. lie waits some time, and if he decides he ap
proves of her he acknowledges her favor by eating all she baa
sent him. A good dancer is always admired in these islands.
A man's being married does not prevent his being courted
again. Girls have enough tact not to make this known to
the wife. A sister is selected.
Some of the girls are wonderfully persistent. Haddon tells
of a girl who wus in love with a cook. She made the advances,
but he paid no heed, and so she accused him of trying to steal
her. She carried on a long lawsuit, though the case was de
cided in the man's favor. In spite of these advances most of
these women become the projierty of their husbands when
married sometimes to the extent if a man gets angry he
kills his wife, and his sister if she remonstrates.
In New Zealand women di their courting in a most ro
mantic fashion. The young girl visits the courting house set
apart for this purpose. Standing up In the dark she says: " I
love so and so and I want him for my husband "; whereupon
the chosen lover, if willing, says " Yes," or enough to signify
assent.
Pueblo Girl Chooses at Will.
The Pueblo gui Is even more Independent; after many a
delightful and m times romantic flirtation she comes to
the conclusion fhe Is fonder of out suitor than the others and
she ulls h r futi.cr she Is determined to have the yuuug man.
The father usually acquaints the young man with the fact
It seldom happens that any objections are raised, but the
iiiiii 1 1 vx si i i ill it it ri 1 1 i r, m i,i mi a ,...;'. . irx y i i- ir-st' -vs
father of the bridegroom must reimburse tho parents of the
maiden for the loss of their daughter. This Is done by an
offer of presents In keeping with tlielr wealth ami rank.
The young people are thoroughly independent, and if they
learn they do not love each other as much as they Imagined
they separate and leave their children to be cared for by their
grandparents.
The Moquls girls are so strenuous In their love affairs
tliey are satisfied with a verbal contract. Goods, personal
effects, and valuables of the women still .belong to them. If
a woman leaves her husband she takes all with her. The hus
band Is often Indebted to a wife for a loan, and this keeps
them together where otherwise divorce would ensue. Among
the Spokane Indians when the man falls In love he must con
sult the father and the girl, though It Is more usual for the
girl to make the advances. They usually marry from the same
tribe, Uut If a man marries out of his tribe he must Join his
wife. It is thought she can work better In a country that Is
known to htr.
How Indian Girl Won a Husband.
The Indian girls of the Hudson, according to several reli
able authorities, signify openly their desire to matrimonial
life. When one of them takes a notion to marry bhe covers her
fare with a veil nnd sits covered as an Indication of her desire.
If she attracts a suitor negotiations ensue; presents ure given
by relatives und friends, and the bride taken.
A pretty girl, Manjiknawis she was called, was fond of a
self-contained, egotistical young man who had no special fond
ness for her beauty. She had a notion that her ability us a
housekeeper might win him though her beauty did not. Shu
was solicitous In attending his wants; men. led his moccasins
and prepared his food, but he was equally Indifferent to these
kindnesses. So she rcsolvnl to play a trick. She dug a holo
In the spacious lodge und covered it carefully. When tho
young man returned from the chase lie threw himself down
In the usual place and f. II In.
" Ha, ha," mid the girl, as sho helped him out. ' You
lire my prisoner at last. 1 did It on purpose." A smile came
over the young man's face. Half flattered and more amused
by the inventive mind he tald: " So be it. I will be yours."
Coyness an Unnatural Attribute.
There arc many other peoples where women do the woo
ingall showing that coyness Is no niuru natural to woman
than man In primitive conditions. It develops with culture
and more conventional Boiiety. It Is hardly to be wondered at
that a girl In modern, complex society may be fond of a
nun who does not think seriously of her. Though she hus
no desire to do the courting, she may enjoy a harmless flirta
tion If not with him. with his shadow-that will do an well.
She wl'l not die of a broken heart nor commit suicide mora
than her Jilted sister in primitive conditions. - "
