The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-09
NITHERE6 JOE.
Opie P. Read in America.

There was not man in Dry Fork neighbor-
hood who was not afraid of old Sam Peters.
The fellow looks was quite enough to fright
en- the timid, and his violent EXPLANATIONS
rarely failed to mako men of nerve feel i'll at
ease. Sam had killed several men. On one
OCCASION over at Slawson's bayou, he encoun-
tered desperate man from Texas. They at
once recognized each other as rivals. and, upon
pretense of having had former alteration,
agreed to fight The 'time-honored" hand
kerchief method of combat was adopted; that
is, each contestant should take hold with his
teeth of corner of the same handkerchief,
and then fall to work with bowie knives. 1t
may, without depression, be said that this plan
of fighting, long since ruled out OF the most
polite circles of society, is rather dangerous.
When q fellow named Collins had, with
courterous accommodation, whettedt tho knives
on his boot, the sad discovery was made that
no one had n handkerchief,
"This is a putty come.off,' said Collins.
''The idee NV loosn' all this yere enspiretin'
'citement jest on ercount Nv rag is digraee
ter er civilized community. Hol on er mint,
fellers I've got or idoe."
He took off his wheatstraw hat, tore out the
calico lining, and, handing 1t to old sam, re-
marked; -, 80
"Thar's the necessary doclyment.. Thedifl-
q
The mon took hold. The knives flashed.
The man from Texas fell in dying condition.
Old Sam staggered away severely wounded.
There also lived in the Dry Fork neighbor-
hood crippled boy named Withered Joe. lie
was of so little Importance that scarcely any
attention was paid to him. His only compan-
ion was n dog--a snaggle tooth, wretched anil
NAL with one eye. The cripple would often
take the dog in his arms and mourn over him.
One night two men were riding along lonely
gafT IL nd pf
his horse what curious noise is that?"
"Come on the other man replied. Its
only Withered Joe whimperin' over his dog
down thar in the holler."
Old SAM outrages became so numerous that
the authorities decided to arrest him. Tho
sheriff declared that it would require twonty
men. at makes no difference, said the cir
cult Judge; che must be arrested"
The sheriff summoned posse. Old sam
was easily found. He placed his back against
tree. drew his bowie-knife, aud said that he
didn't feel like being arrested.
"You wouldn't kill your friends, would
you?' the sheriff asked
eyes. I'D kin q lamb ii it tried to arrest me.
Want BON ter be tuck up like er stray
hoss."
"Sam, the people want you
"They KNIT git me. Thar aintn NV you
that wanter be killed, reckon
"No, b'leVe not"
"Wan, then, keep yo' distancep'
"1he man who win rush on him shall be the
next sheriff NV the county" exclaimed tho
leading officer.
Chen why don't you do it, an be re-
eleoted?" some one rejoined
"Beeaze," tho sheriff replied, 1--WE got a
wife an chillun' dependn' on me.
"Hello,' said q fellow named Collins; lyon
der comes Withered Joe, and his snaggle-tooth
dog amt with him, nuther. That's strange.
Reckon he's come after Gle SAM"
The men shouted, and Sam, lifting his upper
lip until a wolf-like smile showed beneath 1t,
reached out and clipped oil red-bud twig
with his knife.
witlered Joe approached In his hand he
carried q long knife.
"IIelio, Joc,' the sheriff called, "haye you
started out ter cut q mess NV greensV
The cripple did not reply. Ills eyes, in q
sort Of dead set, were fixed on old Sam. lie
| did not stop, but passed the circle OF men.
Come back here FOOL, the sheriff cried.
| Come back, or he'll cut you in two"
He didn't stop. Old Sam gazed at him in
angry establishment.
Don't come nigh me, you dried up crab-ap--
ple--don't come here, tell you. III kill you
like / would q snake"
The cripple walked strait ahead. Old Sam
raised his Knife.
lone mo- step" he said.
Another step. The knife came down, but
the cripple shranS, or seemed to Wither to one
side; and then, with tho quickness OF q cat, he
plunged his knife in old SANS hip. There
arose shout. Tho men rushed forward, seized
old Sam and bound him.
you are man." said the sheriff. address
ing the cripple. "Yo' great respeek fur the
law shall be rewarded"
81 amt got no respoclS fur Their law" re-
joined the cripple, bursting into tears. THAT
killed my dog"
Two men were riding along lonely road.
flush, said one Of them, refining up his horse.
"What curious noise Is that?"
"Come on the other one replied. "Its only
Withered Joe whimperin, owe the grave NV his
dog down thar in the holleF"