Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1883-09-20
poEsR BILE.
How He Walked Up the Wrong Man and
Lest His Prestige.

Lest His Prestige.
Flasssaa. Arizosa Cor. of.he Trieane.
"Poker Bill" is not a John Oak
hurst, although he is a professional
gambler. In fact, my experience
goes to show that gentlemen Of Mr..
John Oakhurst's type are extremely
rare on the frontier. Poker BiH',
may have been endowed with an
equally exalted spirit, but I regret
to state that during my stay here he
has besn rndely buffsted by fortune.
his place q businass b inone OF the
dozen rade log -mis : bnrroxed into
the hillside and shaded by the pines.
Thence 'fPoker Bill' emerged the
ofhr morning wearing a grim and
traepknt aspect. and started rapidly
doNn the eo-called street. The
loungers who sit all day beneath the
deer's bead nailed te de front Of the
chief store reused themselves from
their patient waiting for somebody to
''set up the pizen, - and originated
the proposition that .tsomethin's
up. stHA "a
For once they unwittingly told the
truth G sPoker Bin. took his way
down the track to the depot--a term
applied to a freight Car fitted up as
an office. Presently he returned to
bis cabin and when he reappeared his
six-shooter was belted to his side.
The loungers became Sisibly animat-
ed. When sPoker B,ll'' was seen to
be bound for the depot again. an air
Of cheerful expectancy pervaded the
group It was felt proper that either
the Justice of the Peace or the store
keeper, who were sitting on barrels
near the bar, should invite the crowd
to ''irrigate" in view Of the stirring
times which had so suddenly come
upon them.
Meantime s'Poker Blll' had been
stopped and questioned by friend,
who carelessly drawled in parting:
''That thar station agents bad
man, But s'Poker Bill' would not
be deferred. His beady eyes glitter
ed wickedly. and his hand softly car
essed the handle of his revolver.
When he disappeared into the depot
he looked the dime-novel picture Of
a blood thirsty and invincible des-
perado. Among the loungers it was
whispered that q dispute had arisen
between "Bili'' and the station agent
regarding the payment of charges or
an express bundle. A few bets we're
quietly made on the question whether
the station agent would be killed or
maimed. The Justice Of the Peace
aithough fully alive to the interest
of the occasion, reeollected business
elsewhere, for he had no desire tt
enter into relation unpleasantly an
tagonistie TO uPoker Bill. -"
Suddenly all the patient walters
leaped to their feet, although there
had been no sound Of shots. Such .
sight as they beheld had never beer
seen since Antelope Spring wa'
known to the white man. Out from
the door of the station agents car
plunging headlong to the ground
came ''Poker Bill" propelled by (
terrific kick. He was without hi.
''slx-shooter, ,"--his waistcoat hat
been torn off, and his remaining
clothing had collected most of tn,
dust from the car floor. He gath
cred himself up, lodged under the
car and ran up toward the town
shielding his head with his arms ant
evidently expecting to be followed b,
a bullet. There was no need of ex
plantations. Cs.What did yer do will
yer gun, Bill?" asked one of the
no-longer respectful crowd as he
passed. 81 left IT," snarled "Bill'
and the point was not pressed, q
"BiD' was known to possess othe
weapons. He equipped the Justice
and two others with shot guns an,
rifles. Thus heavily loaded the fore
moved upon the car and demanded
] the return of "Bill's" gun and waist
coat. Having obtained the articles
accompanied by much satirical Ian
guage from the agent, ''BiiI't retife'
to his cabin. From its door through
out the day issued a mighty strean
Of highly favored and picturesquel
embelhshed profanity. z Spoke
Bilps" sun had set, and his enemie
had seen his fall. Nevertheless th
Igreat saw-mill in the opening acros
the track buzzed on as usual. Th
cool wind swept down from tn
mountains through the pines, bu
Poker Bill cursed himself with ex
lceeding bitterness because. he ha
IfaIsd 70 odd a fifteenth grave to ii
little "Boot Hill Cemetery" near th
corral. where eleven ont Of the -four
teen dead came to their deaths b
violence.
The Mexico papers are having wa
of words about the picnic held In thi
city on the Soth of last month. L.
ushsve peace, gentlemen. Can't yo
GET enough news 10 fll your column