The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-02-12
No MURDERER.
BY LILY M. CURRY.


"You will have trouble yet with that
fellow" said Tom, hortatively.
i shook the ashes from my cigar-a
first-class article which one might have
enjoyed under almost any circum-
stances. Then 1 answered, slowly:
Eve no doubt of it."
OF course / agreed with Tom; he
had been in that region before and
knew the ways of the inhabitants.
But Tom had ceased smoking, and
was looking grave.
"You will have trouble" he repeated.
81 hate to leave you here, Jack.
"Rahl" laughed. Haven't pair
of six-shooters in my trunk there?"
"Get them out of your trunk he
suggested. Keep them handy"
~And 1 am pretty good shot, don't
you think?"
ain shooting gallery, up home. 1t
is different when somebody gets the
dropon YOU"
We were silent for time; Tom ap-
peared contemplative. l imagined his
best thoughts were "up home" just at
that moment, where certain fair
face awaited his return. In any event,
he was not in love with Texas.
We had come South few weeks pre-
vious as promoters of new railroad.
We were temporarily located in small
town halfway between the Brazos and
the Colorado, and not far from the
capital. Here we had fitted up as our
Office and bachelor apartments couple
of pleasant rooms in the second story
of new brick building short dis
lance from the railroad station, and as
yet no tragedy had resulted.
But Tom (surname Phillips, mine
Lester) my closest friend, my comrade
In business and pleasure, was actually
i'll at ease. He was going to Austin the
following morning to remain several
days, leaving me at home to manage all
affairs and guard carefully the docu-
ments of the corporation.
SO far, we'll and good. But /, on my
part, had been unfortunate enough
that very afternoon to incur the dis
pleasure of O certain fery-tempered
native, who was said to shoot with as
few. computations as he would feel to
eat his dinner--or something of the
sort This native, major" Dawson by
name, had been anxious for some time
to furnish us, at-as he claimed-the
lowest figure, with such supplies
mules for one thing-as we should
shortly need for actual work in open
ing up our new road. We had con-
cluded to buy of him; the trade had
all but been completed, when, by
purest chance, L had discovered
that he was going to swindle us I'M
mercifully. Without pausing to con-
suit Tom, who happened to be absent,
i had sent down to Dawson's store, a
few squares distant, asking him to come
up at once And when he had APP
knowledge of his intentions. OF course
he denied it up and down, but / had
the proofs, and was not to be deceived.
ut is no natter" 1 had said; you
may count the trade off. We don't
propose to be cheated"
He had sprung to his feet, making q
quick motion, as if to draw some
weapon. Then suddenly he had seemed
to reconsider. With an oath and a
threat that we should not get ont of it
so easily. he had left the place.
1t was now evening, and Tom having
returned, had been telling him the
circumstances.
Suppose" he said, presently, sup
pose you 90 to Austin. I've heard q
good deal about Dawson. They say
he's quick on the trigger you know
And he couldn't very well kill you if
you wern't here"
~Not any," / replied. What kind of
a fellow do you think me, any way !?
Make fuses and leave you to settle
them No. you'll start in the morning
as you i1tended. And I'll keep on the
lookout for the Major"
Tom cautioned me, however, Mt some
length, concerning the. Majors ac-
complishments as gunner.
j was not especially nervous the fol-
lowing day, but went about my busi-
ness as usual, until the afternoon, when
Dawson sent friend of his over, to in
quire if l still proposed to "sneak out
of that trade" Without q moments
hesitation / sent back word that we
proposed to deal only with people who
were square.
Half an hour later. met the "Ma-
Tor" on the main street of the town.
He stopped me and reopened the sub
ject. Presently he grew excited in a
high degree, and declared that no man
should call him cheat and liar and
still live.
"You'll eat your words or diel' he
cried finally, rolling out big oath to
strengthen the threat.
/ was seized with desire to laugh
IL seemed so absurd. But knew that
would only aggravate matters.
3Pve no time to argue 1 said
you might as we'll let the matter
drop. / don't propose to quarrel will
you; I'm not killing people just now
I'm no murderer"
went home then.
Somehow / felt strangely Lonesome
when evening had come, and went OF
aone to the hotel where Tom and
took our meals
As 1 sat eating my supper, dis
patch was brought from Tom asking
me TO follow by the first train, m.