Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-10-03
NfissLuri.
s'MIsscurl. YOU are a coward %

out from between cl OSely shut teeth-
Missouri was a tall, row. boned fel-
low, apparently about 80, whose long,
So ndy hair and beard showed slight
traces of gray. He held a pistol In
/ his hand and another wss in his belt.
when the word coward reached his
ears, his features changed for a mo-
D1ent and an angry light shone in his
eyes, while his huge bony fists closed
With something like a snap, as with
4 threatening gesture he made one hesty
step forward. But the next moment
he drew back again, his fingers un-
clasped themselves, his face relaxed it
Ssf into its usual pleasantness, and
there was a sad ring in his voice as
he said: You came by your temper
honestly, Jim, II then he checked
himself. and as he stepped forward and
banded the pistol TO Jim, he continued:
I"There, take your pop and shoot when
ever you get ready"
Jim took the pistol, and graspIng it
by the barrel. flung it with all his
strength in the face of Missouri
The attack was unexpected, but the
aim was sure, for the man fell to the
ground as if shot by bullet, and the
blood spurted out of a deep wound just
above the temple.
When Missouri fell Jim walked away
Pgithout picking up his pistol or turn
ling to look at his victim. Their alter
cation, however, had drawn spectators
to the scene, and others came from the
campfire when they saw what had
happened.
"I hope jim finished him for good"
one fellow said. ''Ife was always in
| tarfering between Jim and some one
else. L guess if he gets over this he'll
mind his own business next time -
But he always looked out for JIm's
good" said another.
"He was too stuck on Jim, and
Jim didn't like it. and for one don't
blame him." said third.
"You fellows are most to blame for
this quarrel between Jim and the old
man. said the second speaker. you
were all afraid or Missouri. and kept
aggIng Jim on to finish him off for
you"
| There were others who said nothing,
but one, more thoughtful than the rest,
| brought a tin-cup with water, and
dashed it in the face of the wounded
| man.
The water had the desired effect, for
Missouri opened his eyes, and, after
/ looking into the faces OF those around
| him, as if in search of some one, for a
moment, he rose to his feet, staggering
| like a drunken man, and made bis way
| toward his horse, which was staked
little ways off, saddled him, and, with
| out saying a word TO any one, rode
away across the prairie.
Jim sat by the tire, his face buried in
his hands. but when he heard the
| hoof- of Missouri's horse, as he
rode away, he lifted his head and
started to rise, but sat down again i'm
mediately. muttering: 81 am sorry; but
be was always taxing my part, and the
boys kept teasing me about it till L
, WIS mad enough to kill him But l
guess he meant well. ~
The riders for the first watch of the
! night left camp and took their places
18th the herd that was rounded up in
the prairie. Those relieved came back
to camp, and after hasty supper all
rolled into their blankets aud were soon
asleep.
Jim. however, was unable to go to
sleep. He rolle1 around and changed
| positions a dozen times. He sat up
and looked about him several times.
1t might have been chance, perhaps,
| but his eyes fingered longest over the
prairie in the direction Missouri had
taken when he left the camp.
Jim rolled his blanket around him
again. Half an hour elapsed, his
breathing was more regular, his eyes
were closed anil he was asleep at last.
a rider came across the prairie at
slow pace. He reached small clump
| of trees not far from the camp, where
lie dismounted and fastened his horse.
Then tax ing his course toward the
81,
AMI cautiously, his eyes and ears on
the alert. When he was close enough
to distinguish the forms of the sleepers
wrapped in their blankets, and, after
singing out the spot where Jim was
lying, he went down on his hands and
as noiseless as shadow crawled
straight for the sleeper.
Jim was sleeping, his smooth young
face upturned to the stars. Misso url
was close beside him, and as he bent
his own rough, weather-beaten face
close above that of the youth, some
thing like a sob seemed to force Its
way over his qrivering lips.
Yes, it is best" he murmured.
"Who can tell what might happen, 80
it will be best that l tell him now.
My GodI as he sleeps thus how like he
is to his mother And IN his waking
hours that same hssty, fiery nature
when thwarted as hers used to be. But
1 must call him before some one
comes and finds me here"
So saying, he touched Jim's hand
lightly and called his name in a whi5-
per close to his ear.
The youth stirred uneasily. Again
his name was called, and Jim opened
his eyes and found Missouri's face
bending close over him, and he heard
his voice hardly above a breath whis-
per "Hush.'
jim was not startled. Slowly he
rose to a sitting position, and in a
voice as guarded az MisSouri's had
been, he asked: What is it, Missouri?
What do you want?"
81 came back to tell you something,
jim. before 1 90 away"
And you amt mad with mep''
asked Jim, looking Missouri straight
in the face.
"No, jim"
There was tear that trickled down
the hard, weather-beaten cheek, but
Missouri did not know it. jim. how
ever, saw the reflection of glimmer-
ing star In it as it darted out of sight
among the gray beard on Missouri's
face, and JIm's voice was more tender
than usual when he said:
"Forgive me, Missouri; 1 didn't in
tend to hurt you, but the devil gets
into me occasionally, and can't
help it,
"I know, Jim; but If you amt too
sleepy. L would like to tell you some
thing.''
"That's what you said before, l be-
lieve."
Yes; pull on your boots and let's go
a little ways from camp, for don't
wish any one but you TO hear what l
am gong to tell; and some of these
fellows may be awake and listen"
'All right,''
Jim was soon ready, when both left
tie place and were soon out OF sight
and hearing Of the camp.
They seated themselves on mound
In tho prairie, and the story that Mis-