The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-11-01
An Inclaenl a LAS. Chance Ear.

1t was but seldom that anything oc-
cured to ruiiic the placid course of
events IN Last Chance Bar, bnt one
bright summer morning in II tile
little population was IN a fever Of ex-
citemelt. Big Jake, the gambler, and
Lucky Joe, who WIS working d lhll
claim up Bear Run Gulch, had quar-
relied over their cups aud winnings
tie night before aid had vowed they
would commence hostilities at sigtt.
Accordingly, whn Big Jake, who
was summing himself in front OF the
saloon on this particularly pleasant
morning, saw Joe strolling down the
street towards the saloon, he rose,
stretched himself, crossed lazily over
to the other side and walked slowly
towards Ills man. Both belligerents
were IIiveste1 Of All unnecessary cloth
ing and each was gilrlcd with a belt
Which supported q large army reyol-
v>r. A. nobody cared to be ill tile
line of fire, the Two men had the street
to themselves, aud as they approached
each other on opposite sides, each kept
his eye riveted oil every motion Of the
oiher. and when they were just even,
stopped, mechanically drew his pistol
from his side and fired Il llasty shot at
his opponent. Joe seemed to be a
little the quicker, and the few specta-
tors who occupied positions Of COM
paiative safety thought that Jake was
hit. He stood still however, and tried
to cock his pistol for another shot.
Somehow or other it wouldn't work,
the cylindcr wouldn't revolve, and
there he stood fooling with the WORTH
less thing while Joe was sending IN
his leallcli compliments as fast rs he
could shoot. Joe saw the situation,
and after the second shot lie called out
to Jake to throw away his weapon
aud lie would quit, but Jake kept try
ing to fix the cylinder and never
moved from his tracks. Joe had fired
four times, andwith his pistol raised
for the tiilhshot he called out IN agony,
"Throw the thing away, Jake, you
hain't got no show and don't want
to shoot ye this way" He waited
minute, but Jake never spoke nor
looked away from that wretclled re-
volver which wouldn't rvvolve. lie
probably thought he could still fix it
In time TO finish his friend over the
way. Joe was 10th to kin SO brave
yet so helpless man, but he knew
that it would not do to take any cham
ccs, as Jake might get Ills weapon in
trim andacrordIngly, taking deliberate
aim he fired his fifth shot. Jake Slow
" settled down to his knees and then
fell forward on his face, dropping his
pistol and g;lsping for breath. JOeran
quickly over to.him and gave linn his
last bullet III tile head. just as a safe
guard against any future difficulty,
and then the people rushed forward to
examine the SCENE.
They found Joe uninjured and Jake
was quite dead, having been lit ITO
less tIRn four times. Upon eXamin-
ing Jake's revolver it was discovered
that the exploded cap had become SO
firmly wedgcd in ut tlw base Of the
cylinder as to defy NIL his efforts to
turn it. "lIe thought Il heap Of that
same gun, remarked one of the In
vesligltiug committee, "he used TO
say Il was as sure rs a knife, but 1t
beat him ut last" II tell ye bays, y
said Joe, II never hated to do any
thing so III my life when | drawed
bead and liinl stan(lin' there SO cool,
not even lookin' for a chance to dodge,
but | happened to think what such
Teller might do If he sholbd get Ills
iixins IN workin' order, and that made
me desperate. felt my finger press
on the trigger. Ugh! Give me SOME
llCker." .'He was the pluCkiest and
coolest chap | ever seen said one.
.'And the biggest fool, put In an old
SC0tcllman, mot to run when ne
cOildn't fightgN %A kfaE,&a /
They buried him the next day. The
Fineral procession was not ! hrand