The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-02-09


As Duscubery walked into Callahan's
Retreat, the hAbitues saw 1t 4 glance
that something was about to happen;
for in about hall minute there entered
four Of tho most ferocious- looking ruff
fans who had ever been seen In Fort
Worth They came with clanking spurs
and fierce boards. two revolvers to each
man and a large bowie knife for lagni-
appi. and they sat down to table and
called for whisky all around. A tremor
ran through the assembly. Fort Worth's
best citizens were for q moment stag
gored. But Dusenbery never quailed.
On the contrary he almost snorted with
Joy a. he saw his opportunity to make q
reputation for courage. These mon
were strangers. he was backed by q
largo number Of Fort Worth sharpshoot-
ars; yea, he would pick fuss with
them and henceforth be known as .
terror. He had not long to wait. The
strangers emptied their glasses, called
for more. and then. glancing malignant
~ around, they launched forth in furi-
ous abuse Of Texas and Texans, their
language being garnished with that pro-
fusion and ornamentation Of profanity
peculiar to the guileless cattle drover.-
As they ceased. Dusenbery, having TAX
en- in the situstion at . glance, arose
and advanced toward the strangers.--
The Fort Worth mon put up their pis-
tolls and sank back in breathless amaze
ment a. Dusenbery marched mp to the
table at which the strangers sat. His
flashing eyes, his heaving breast, his
live feet Of towering form reduced the
spectators to speechlessness. Even
the strangers paused and seem Impress
ed.
Gentlemen" said Dusenbery, diving
into his trousers and bringing up an
ancient silver watch, '.you have wound
cd the finest feelings of my nature in
your remarks about Texas, and You
must retract them or-but never mind.
/ give you five minutes to retract it,
Five minutes to secure your safe return
to home and friends. Five minutes to
avoid grave upon the lonesome plain.
Five minutesv'
An awful silence fell upon the crowd.
The blood curdled in the vein of every
Fort WORKMAN present. What! had
they been treating this tire-eating Terror
with scarcely yelled contemptp Had
they been absolutely counting death for
yearsp But just then one of the strangers
recovered his power of speech and
said:
"Why, stranger, if you feel that way
about it, of course we'll cut it short
We didn't mean it for you or any of
your friends, but was just talking on
loose like"
And with that they all four got up
and skunk out, their six-shooters flop
ping feebly against their hips, and their
very spurs looking dropped and weedy
as they went. With the closing of the
door, Dusenberys eye reeled in its SOCK
ct. The excitement which had thus far
held him up gave way, and he collaps-
ed, Happy little heap upon the floor.
The assembled citizens crowded round
him, eager to offer attention to the hero
of the hour, and ut last he was rehabili-
tated sufficiently TO admit of his being
sent home in charge of special and
confidential friend. ~
"Why, DOGGY, my boy, you took us
all by surprise. We never thought you
were fighter"
didn't youp''
mo. Why, don't you know those
are four of the worst men in the cattle
businessP And we expected every min
ute to see them go to shooting. Were
you armedpn w ~ rs
"Well, l had pistol for show, but
don't believe it was loaded, and Icould-
MT have fired it, anyhow"
'Great heavens, man, suppose they
had refused to retract, what on earth
would you have donep'
Dusenbery stopped, looked all around
60 see II any one were passing, pulled
his friends ear close down to his lips,
and whispered
..rd have extended the time. "-Nes0
Orleans Times.
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