Mohave County miner., 1889-03-09


mounted at the blacksE.ith shop he said
to the smith:
"Bill. Iwant yer to look at that ere
mewl."
"Im a-lookin'. Tom" was tho com,
placent reply.
''Do you reckon she'll pull through the
winter
Bill picked up each foot sqninted at II
like ajudge sizing up witness, and pull.
ing off tho loose shoe with twist he spat
three times In the direction Of his anvil
cooked his hat anew, and graycly re
marked:
Tom. she can't possibly do it--no how
can't"
Shoot Billi"
Can't do It, for shore. Mewlsis nevis
II she was elephant she might. but she's
mewl. an aforc spring them feet will
wear of ci'ar up to the jinss. Got to hev
shoes ON, Tom"
''shool That's what reckoned. l.
shoes cheaper
"Skeercely."
'Shool heard they was. Kin 20 make
II ~ bits, Bill?'
kr' the lowest"
"Wall, dod rot her ole ysller hide, I'll
see about It afore night! II ye hey
nigger, he wants clothes, an IL ye hev a
mewl, he wants shoes, an he'll take 'ticu.
lar pains to kick agin every rock he comes
to. It's all wrong, boys, an sometimes
feel Like lettin' myself loose and lickin'
sumbody."
There were ten Of as In the store, and
was listening to the story Of Union man
who guided q party OF refugees over the
mountains into Kentucky, when great
clatter was heard out doors, and some,
Body said that old Dick Trasser had
"arriv." Next moment be came In. lis
was man 80 years old, six feet high,
weighed 200 pounds, and was the spcci
men bad man Of the four counties. lie
didn't look 1t. he had smile on his face,
large blue eyes. and child would have
gone to him In preference to any other
man In the store. But, IL he didn't look
1t, he acted 1t. His first movement was
TO drink q common tumbler even full Of
nloonshine whisky. AS he sat the glass
down he wiped his mouth on the back Of
his hand, surveyed each one Of us in turn,
and finally growled:
"a cursed mean day."
One or two replied. but all others were
silent. Old Dick was in ugly mood,
armed with knife and revolver, and was
evidently looking for q victim. Not an-
ether man was armed. and there was the
display of nerve which those mountain
men are celebrated for. Not man at
tempted TO fattcr or eonciliate. Not a
man attempted to sneak out doors. They
we're helpless, TO certain extent, but
were as cool as icicles.
Old Dick called for and put down two
more drinks. and each one of them large
enough to befuddle weak man in FIVE
minutes. While he had his back to the
crowd Jeffers whispered to me:
Look out for him. Ar ye heeledg'
"Yes, have my revolver"
Then git the drop on himi Plug him
right through the head or hearth
But, heavens, maj, ] can't shoot q per.
son down that way. He hasn't even spoken
to me yet"
"Wall. keep your eye on him, and II ho
makes q move let him have It,"
began TO figure. began TO add up
the wealth of the Astors, Variderbilts,
Goulds and Knickerbocksrs, and feel that
! would give every dollar of 1t to be ten
miles away. ind just added the wealth
Of California, and reduced tho ten miles
to FIVE, when old Dick pulled his gun and
fired six shots around the store at various
objects, at the same time nttering six
blood curdling war whoops. Not o MAI.
moved. lie slowly reloaded the revolver,
and singled me out and came forward
with extended paw.
''Howdyf" he growled. ....
I'm crib5ins, thank you"
'I'm Old Dick-bad man"
Yes"
Bad, very bad" ...
"Kn MIN ye fout''
That's bad. Bad kentry fur Quaker. =
III learn ye."
"Say, Dick" remarked one Of the men,
''he'un hain't ono Of MS. lEc'un's straIi.
ger from the moth"
Jim, you shetp replied the bad man.
I'm going to learn he'un how TO fout.
He hain't no good IL he can't"
Three or four men winked OF me to hu-
NOR the old man, and when he asked IL
was armed showed him my revolver.
"Nuthin but squibl' he grunted In
contempt. THAT there couldn't send
ball through my hide. Come out doorsW
All Of US went out. The bad man was
unsteady Of hand, leg and voice, but Ids
brain YVES still fairly clear.
Now then" he said TO ME, "you go
over by your shop, an I'll stop yere by
the platfsrm. When I opens fire you
must send it back as fast as ye kin, but
keep one shot In case j charge ye."
looked at the crowd, and all nodded
to me to go, and two Of them whispered
to me to kill Old Dick il | could. went.
/ had the shelter Of a corner Of the shop,
and the bad man had barrel Of salt on
the platform as a shield. He uttered
whoop and opened fire, and everybody
scattered for shelter.
Now, ] am going to frankly admit that,
as crossed the street wanted TO take
leg bail up or down the street. I'd have
given an arm to be out Of it. ! didn't iun
because women and children were watch.
ing me, and because TO have "funked"
would have been to cover myself with
contempt forever after But I want to