The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1878-07-05
ETs PRIVATE GRAVEYARD.
SCRAPS FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN
AMATEUR PHLEBoToMTsr
From the S. f Argonant.

From the 5. + AFgonaut.
| He had not been in town twenty-foul
hours before every man, woman, and chile
knew thas be had killed his man-that ht
was q desperate character of the deepest
dye, transccnding in bloodthirsty deeds tbs
most daring hero of the widest dime noyel
ever penned.
And yet his personal appearance would
! not have led the casual observer toimagine
that the vague stories afoat in regard to
him were based upon fact the close stu
dent of human nature might have perceiv-
ed points in his bearing that woul1 at least
have aroused lurking suspicious OF his
fatality. He was short in stature. and
markedly insignificant in his general bear
:@s. He wore dirty clorEiss stIsszassy yfs's'''-
brimmed sIouch hat. But the reckless man
ner in which soiled cotton handkerchief
was tied around his neck had a tendency to
confirm tho reports current in regard . bis
homicidal qualities.
Ho 1oupged into the Long Tom saloon on
the day following bis arrival IN Columbia,
and seating himself near the stove, dropped
into brown study. his eyes fixed upon va
cancy. The little coterie Of citizens wateh-
ed him with sheepish kind of awe, and
every man present trembled when he sud
denly darted a witherng glance at Bill
Hixon, the teamster, and demanded IN stern
accents
"D'ge drink ?"
The teamster mutter feeble Assem-, aud
moved uneasiIy in h1s chair
"Wer, hegn't heerd anybody say the
word yet-ain't waftin' ter be asked, are
ye?''
Tie teamster, in an agitated voice, called
for the drinks.
While slipping his whisky-punoh the
stranger unused, taking no further notice of
the silent circle around him until the slice
OF orange rose like a yellow island from
the bottom Of his glass. Gazing steadfast-
" at the depleted contents Of his goblet, the
stranger asked, in the most careless tone
imaginable
s.Anybody bin killed in this yer camp
latelye"
The hostler of KeHy's livery sable ven-
tured to whisper: Not anybody very
lately"
"No shootin', no cuttin' Of any kinda'
"No.n
.What kind OF place is this, anyhow
No KILN, no shootin' no rows, no excite
ment. How longs this thing bin agoin'
on ~
This time his balefnl eyes lit upon the
dissipated young man who had, few min
utes previous to the strangers entrance,
been boisterously bautering the crowd e
engage IN a game Of pedro" There vas
nothing bolsterous in his voice now, as be
answered the question 50 pointedly asked
him:
.It's bin kinder dull in that line here fol
sey'ral years.
ANY lighters IN town r.
There was no answer.
Anybody ID this yer toVn settin' him.
SELF .uIs to clean anybody ouby99'' be demand.
| cd. in Il louder tone. at the same time jam
ming his glass down upon the table.
The faint suspicion that the man o.
blood was directing this question At thu
teamsSer caused ali eyes 10 turn nqniringli
toward that unfortunate individual. Thu
teamstes, after Il painful pause--durint
which the stranger seemed TO grow ner
yous--naade an effort and replied
"Ngt that know of--unless unless
/ it's-a
s.WenF' interrupted the fierce it'll
man.
" Unless It's the new barkeep.
ssThe new barkeep Where IL he &
savageiy inquired the strange fising froIl
his seat and glancing rapidly, aot 70 So,
murdarousiy, around the saloon.
.,Taint lis watch On ger, softly an
swered Tie man behind the bar.
Taint, ehe Whats bis record 81
.only d man or two, / h'lteve,
& Where AZ
4 Down country soraeHY here.
Tie stranger aab down agains and TN
nota4nt seemed buried II prpfoun'
thought.
4 Well u
Ils slaot ths word opt and sWspt y
4 crowd With HIS rasraacing e5es.
4 IIasn i ang BODY goE anything u aay Z
III asked, after i short interval of 81
Ianee.
Il sIeatls7llss solitude.
Asntb there \ man u tlss eroN oNa D
arrees I'll IT'D III rselass ef 5olensl haf