Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-03-21
AN 0BDURATE PARENT.

j don't know why flesh should be
taken into consideration when we
speak OF physical courage, unless it Is
because we always regard a game man
as sort OF hero and are quiteunable,
in our fancy, to clothe hero in SUI
perabundance OF flesh. Rithers may
not have been an ideal hero, but he
was game. 1t is said that he once
slapped Ben Tompson's Jaws while
that great hero of the shooters was
trying to break up show in Texas
and man in whose word | have alb
solute faith told me that the colonel
once pulled Bowie's ears. Yet the
old fellow was fat, and still worse was
so short that he waddled along like a
duck. He had but one pride,
lovely daughter He looked
upon her with the deep love of
devoted father and with the admir-
ing eye OF an artist. Indeed, he was
something OF an artist, having once
painted picture Of a Tennessee river
sunset, but, unfortunately, had to
shoot a man who innocently asked if
it did not represent a brush pile on
fire
Whenever Lucie Rithers went into
society the old man went with her.
He had compelled her to promise that
she would never be married, and he
had faith in her avowal; still he did
not like to see her thrown in the way
of temptation. Once handsome
commercial traveller took hrazen oc-
casion to smile at her, but he left the
community the next day, carrying with
him a note which read something like
this: Il should like to meet you early
tomorrow morning, with a view to
shooting an ordinary size hole
through your head. | should have
Obliged myself by doing so to-day, but
this being Sunday, and our law impos-
ing a fine Tor firing gun on the Sab
bath, | refrained. Do not let any
business engagement prevent our meet
ing, for | assure you that | will detam
you but few moments.
One bright morning while a chip
munk was Sitting on stump rhythmic
ally nodding his head to the song OF
cat bird, the colonel stood under
tree. communing with nature, and
wondering how he was going to get
the steers out of the corn field He
had Just decided to waddle into the
field and curse them out, when a
young man rode up to the fence, dis
mounted gracefully and approached.
rs this Col. Rithers?" the young
man asked.
Yes, sab. What canI do foryou?"
The young fellow, without replying,
took out two pistols, and he politely
extended their handles toward the
colonel, said:
Take your choice"
''What for?" the colonel asked
II haven't the time nor the inclina-
ton to explain. Take one and step
off about 80 steps.
young man, said the colonel, ~
am not acquainted with you, but /
must say that | like your methods,
and, thereforea am compelledto accom-
modate you"
The colonel measured off 80 steps,
and at signal mutually agreed upon,
both men fired The colonel caught a
proiectile in the fleshy part ofhis right
shoulder.
Good morning" said the young
man.
Good morning, sab, reioined the
colonel, as he leaned against tree
The young man gracefully mounted
his horse and rode away, and the col
onel went home and lay down.
rTr11
bird was gone and the chipmunk was
hidden away under the snow The
colonel stood in the country road
watching the wild geese fly over. A
young man came riding along at an
easy canter, and, seeing the colonel
dismounted, tied his horse and ap-
preached.
Good morning." said the young
man.
How are you, sab, +" the colonel re.
sponded.
Rather bright but chilly day"
'tYes but l don't think this snow
will last long"
''No / think not. The wind is shift.
ing round to the south. BY the way
colonel are you busy this morning?'
''No, not particularly. | haven't
fed the pigs yet, but can let them 20
for a while. Is there anything that
can do for you?
eyes, think So" the young mar
answered, drawing two pistols and tell
ing the colonel to take his choice.
'Iook here, young fellow, as / told
you some time ago, do not know
you. OF course ! am thankful for the
attentions which you are showing me
but it has generally been my rule not
to accept courtesies from a stranger
That's all right; step off 80 yards. :
"I'll have to 60 you, although
haven't fed the pigs yet"
The distance was measured and
again they fired at each other. Thi,
time the colonel was slightly wounded
in the leg. The young man babe hin
polite good morning and rode away
When the colonel went to the house
his daughter seeing that something
was the matter with him, said. "Pap
do wish you would take better car,
Of yourself 1t scenes to me the oldel
YOU grow the more careless you be