The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-05-09
MAKING A REPUTATION.
ASccne In n Western Town md Whnt Cams
Of IL.

A Western paper tells of n scene that
took place in Texas frontier town, as
follows AS Dusenbcry walked into Cal.
lahan's Retreat, the habitues saw ut
glance that something was about to hap
pen, and something did happen for in
abont half minute there entered four OF
the most MISUNDERSTANDING ruilians who
had ever been seen in Fort Worth. They
came with clanking spurs and fierce
boards, two revolvers to each man and
large bowie knife for lagniappe, and they
sat down to table and called for whisky
all around. A tremor ran through the
assembly. Fort Worths best citizens
were for moment staggered. But
Dusenbery never quailed. On the con-
trary he almost snorted with Joy as he
saw his opportunity to make reputation
for courage These men were strangers,
he was backed by large number Of Fort
Worths sharpshooters; yea, he would
pick fuss with them, and henceforth be
known as n terror. He had not long to
wait. The strangers emptied their glasses,
called for more, and then, CHANGING ma
lignantly around, they launched forth in
furious abuse of Texas and Texans their
language being garnishcd with that pro-
fusion and ornamentation of profanity
peculiar to the guileless cattle-drover.
AS they ceased, Dusenbery, having taken
in the situation at glance, arose and
advanced toward the strangers. The
Fort Worth men put up their pistols and
sank back in breathless amazcmcnt as
Dusenbcry marched up to the table at
which the strangers sat. His flashing
eyes, his heaving breast, his five feet of
towering form reduced the spectators to
spacchlessncss. Even the strangers
paused and seemed impressed.
Gentlemen" said Dusenbery, diving
into his trousers and bringing up an
ancient silver watch, "you have wounded
the finest feelings of my nature in your
remarks about Texas, and you must re-
tract them, or-but never mind. | give
YOU five minutes to retract it. Five min
ulcs to secure your safe return to home
and friends. Five minutes to avoid II
grave upon the lonesome plains. Five
minutes"
An awful silence fell upon the crowd.
The blood curdlcd in the vein Of every
Fort WORKMAN present. What Ind they
been treating this iirc-cating Terror with
scarcely yelled contempt? Had they
hccnabsolutcly counting death forycars?
But Just then one OF the strangers rc.
covered 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 thcyall four got up and
skunk out, their siX-shooters Hopping
fecbly against their hips, and their spurs
looking dropped and weedy as they went.
With the closing of the door. Duscnbery's
eye rcclcd in its socket. The excitement
which had thus far held him up gay,
way, and he collapsed, n tlabby it'll,
heap upon the floor. The assembled
citizens crowded round him, eager t.
offer attention to the hero of the hour
and Mt lust he WINS rchahilitatcd sutiici
emily to admit of his being sent home il
charge of special and confidential friend
"Why, DOGGY, my boy, You took IL
all by surprise. We never thought yo'
were a FIGHTER"
Didn't you?"
ono. Why, don't You know those ar
four Of the worst men in the cattle busi
ness? And we expected every minute +
see them go to shooting. W,re yo
mmcd?'
"Wcll, had pistol for show, but
don't believe it was loaded, and couldn'
have fred it, anyhow"
"Gcat heavens, man, suppose they hn'
refused to rctract, what on earth woul
you have done?'
Duscnbery stopped, looked all aroun,
to see il any one were passing, pulled bi
friends ear close down to his lips, ant
whispered: :.
"I'd have extended the time."-M,
orleans Times.