Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-11-17
HE DREW HIS PISTOL
BY JOHN z. SOLANDER.

Missouri, you are cowardw
The speaker was a STRIPPING youth
almost boy, and the words were hiss
ed out from between closely shu:
teeth.
Missouri was tall, raw-boned fel
low, apparently about fifty, whose long
sandy hair and beard showed Sigh
traces of gray. He held pistol in his
hand and another was in his belt. 4
smile had been on his face, but wher
the word coward reached his ears his
features changed for moment and ar
angry light shone in his eyes, while hi
huge bony fists closed with something
like a snap, as with threatening ges
ture he made one hasty step forward
But the next moment he drew bach
again, his fingers unclasped themselves
his face relaxed itself into its usual
pleasantness, and there was sad ring
in his voice as he said: You came by
your temper honestly, Jim, T-then he
checked himself, and as he stepped
forward and handed the pistol to Jim
he continued: "There, take your por
and shoot whenever you yet 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 ii shot by o bullet, and the
blood spurtcd out of deep wound just
above the temple.
When Missouri fell Jim walked away
without picking up his pistol or turn
ing 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 hap
pened.
II hope jim finished him for good"
one fellow said. "He was always in
terfering between Jim and some one
else. l guess if he gets over this hell
mind his own business next time"
But he always looked out for Jim's
good" said another.
Gle was too stuck on Jim, and Jim
didn't like it, and [ for one don't blame
him." said third.
"Iou fellows are most to blame for
this quarrel between Jim and the old
man," said the second speaker. "You
wcro all afraid of Missouri, and kept
agging Jim on to finish him off for
you.
There were others who said nothing.
but one, more thoughtful than tho
rest, brought 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
locking into the faces OF those around
him, as if in search of some ne, for
moment, he rose to his feet, staggering
like drunken man, and made his way
toward his horse, which was staked a
little way off, saddled him, and, with.
out saying a word to any one, rode
away across the prairie.
jim sat by the fire, his face buried
in his hands, but when he heard the
hoof-beats of Missouri's horse, as he
rode away, he lifted his head and
started to rise, but sat down again,
muttering: II am sorry; but he was
always taking my part, ard the boys
kept teasing me about it till l was mad
enough to kill him. But l guess he
meant we'll"
The riders for the first watch of the
night left camp and took their places
with the herd that was rounded up in
the prairie. Those relieved came back
to camp, and after hasty supper all
rolled into their blankets and were
soon asleep.
Jim, however, was unable to go to
sleep. He rolled around and changed
pcs tions dozen times. He sat up and
looked about him several times. 1t
might have been chance, perhaps, but
ms eyes fingered longest over the pral-
RE 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 and he was asleep at last.
a rider came across the prairie at q
slow pace. He reached the clump of
trees not far from camp, where he dis
mounted and fastened his horse. Then,
taking his course toward the camp on
foot, he approached slowly and eau
tiouslv, his eyes and ears on the alert.
When he was close enough to distin-
guish the forms of the slecpers wrapped
in their blankets, and, asaer singing out
the spot where Jim vas lying, he went
down on his hands, and as noiseless as
shadow crawled straight for the
sleeper.
Jim was sleeping, his smooth young
lace upturned to the stars. Missouri
was close beside him, and as he bent
his own rough, weather-baaten face
close above that of the youth, some
thing like sob seemed to force its way
over its quivering lips.
Eyes, it is best, he murmured; "who
can tell what might happen, 50 it will
be best that | tell him now. NV God!
as he sleeps thus how like he is to his
mother; and in his waking hours the