San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-08-09
A Story OF the Southwest.
Philadelphia Times.

y
cal Texas bad man, and his record as
slayer of his fellow men extends over
q period of twenty-five years. The first
time met him was in casino house
here. A mexican ball was in full blast,
all the games were running, and the
business ut the bar was flourishing
Suddenly hush fell upon the room,
the dance stopped, the gamblers ceased
playing, and the freshly ordered drinks
remained untouched. L looked around
to learn the cause of this unusual quiet,
and saw Old Reese standing in the
doorway. I had never seen him before,
but at once recognized him from the
descriptions given me by his admirers.
He did not look the desperate. His
eyes were blue and large. He had
dimpled chin, and his mouth, although
firm and resolute, was guarded by full
red lips, and the under one dropped
which, according to pyhisognomy, is
sure sign of weakness in woman and,
effeminacy in man. Contrary to the
usual fashion on the frontier, his hair
was cut close and it absolutely curled.
He was dressed very quietly in sober
black, and, aside from the rakish SOM
brero which shrouded his face, might
have passed for an indolent divinity
student. with more soul for things
carnal than spiritual. He stood in the
doorway for minute and then ad-
vanced into the center of the room.
His blue eyes roamed around the apart
ment and finally rested on long
haired fellow sitting at one of the
monte tables. They burned then with
new fire, and cruel line closed
about his mouth, The long-haired fell
low shifted about uncomfortably, but
did not offer to draw one of the nu-
merous six shooters which bristled in
his belt. Finally Old Reese spoke,
enunciating his words slowly and with
great distinctness.
"Sam Sturgiss," he said, and the
long haired fellow started, eff I thought
you were half the man you claim to be,
would kill you where you sit" He
paused minute and then continued
"When I kill a man want him to be
a good one. You are dirty thief and
contemplate coward to sit there and
take it,"
There was nothing of the bully in
this declaration, OF rather, there was
no bravado in his way of making it..
1re could see that he meant what he
salu, ;t,.l the ng-haired fellow SEEM
ed to be so convinced, for he never
raised his eyes, and his hands hung
listless by his side. He raised uncom-
fortably under the steady blaze of Old
Reese's eyes, however, and finally raised
his head. Old Reese pointed to the
door.
"Gitw he said. "And if you don't
want me to forget myself and kill a
coward, never get in my way.
The long-haired fellow rose to his
feet and skunk away. His masters
eye followed him to the door, and
when it closed behind him he invited
everybody up to drink. All responded,
for it was well-known fact that old
Reese considered it mortal insult to
refuse his hospitality, and would be
pretty apt to shoot the man who was
reckless enough to decline his invita-
ton. I noticed that he drank only
water himself, and the friend who in
troduced us afterward, told NE that
Old Reese was strictly temperate.
"He has no small vices" said this
admirer. "He neither drinks, smokes,
chews, nor curses but if he amt old
HI on the shoot, just try him once"
1 had long conversation with him
that night, and the more saw of him
the better liked him. He had o
charming manner, was good CONVEX
sationalist, had read some, observed
more, and never talked shop-that is,
he spoke about himself and his many
daring deeds with a great deal of diff
dence and modesty. His friend gave
me the history of his trouble with the
long haired fellow. ''Sturgiss is a
gambler" he said, "and when he first
came here everybody was afraid of
him, and he sorter run the settlement.
Old Reese was away then. He came
back here about two months ago. The
day he returned was passing along the
street, when he met little boy crying
Old Reese is very fond of children and
they all like him. He picked the little
fellow up, dried his tears, and inquired
the cause of his trouble. Between his
sobs, the boy told his story. He was
the only son of poor widow who lives
by the river and does washing for the
gamblers. Early IN the spring Sam
Sturgiss had employed him to attend
to his horse, promising to pay him g
a week for his services. Glad to be
able to help his mother, the little fell
low took charge of the gamblers ca
ballo and groomed and feed him fol
sixteen weeks. Then Sturgiss sold the
animal, and his services were no longer
needed. De had just been in to ash
Sturgiss for his pay, and.the gambler
had not only not paid him, bat had
pitched him out of the casino.
He kicked ysu, did he" said Reese,
and those blue ewes of his snapped.
"Yes sir, faltered the boy.