Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-03-07

frontier, during which time sixty-two
graves were filled by violence, in no case
was the murder otherwise than benefit
to society. The dangerous class killed
within its own circle, but never courted
justice by shedding better blood. Order
ly people looked on with something like
satisfaction, as at wolves rending each
other. The snarl was the click of re-
volver, and the bite followed the bark.
These were the men who gloried in snuff
fing out candle or life at thirty PAGES.
/ remember one instance in which the
power of mind over the brute force repre-
sented by these characters was oddly
developed. The writer was one of par
ty which embraced Senator "Ben Wade"
and which had paused for night'srest
at the new town. Retiring to our rooms,
in the hastily constructed hotel, we list.
ened on the creaking beds to the strange
sounds around. The partitions between
the apartments were but six feet high
and sounds flowed freely over the whole
floor Under the window was tumult
of drunken Texans, and man in some
far-off room was having a desperate
struggle with his boots. They were
tight, and he was "tight;" and after
fruitless struggle we heard him crawling
between the sheets with the remark, "If
the landlord wants them boots off, let
him come and take them off himself"
We knew when any body was turning
over, or when brush was laid down In
any part of the house. Every creak and
stamp and snore was reported faithfully
to our ears. Presently there arose an
unusual brawl in the Office below, and up
the main stairs came stumbling drunk
en- Texan. He knew Senator Wade was
in town, but had no idea he was in this
particular house. We could hear him all
the way up matchmaking the Senator.
Fate in wild freak plunged him into the
room adjoining "honest Ben's." Sprawl
ing upon the bed, our Texan, in drunken
accents, commenced informing the pow
ers of the night that he wished the In
dams would ''scalp old Ben Wade" as he
had no business ''comin' into this yere
country" Over and over again was the
wish loudly expressed, to the annoyance
of all on the floor, but none dared remon-
strate. Soon the Senator's bed creaked
ominouslY. We were alarmed. Ohio
wrath was evidently rising, and visions Of
bloody encounters with long haired
Texans came before us. AS the rude
speech again came forth, deep voice
iesned out of the Senator's castle. Slow
ly and emphatically, as if addressing his
colleagues, came the words, cold Ben
Wade had rather be scalped by the In
dams than kept awake all night by the
twaddle of drunken fool" Texas was
struck dumb. The physical bully quailed
from unexpected contact with the intel
lectual giant. Up to that moment none
of the guests had known Of Mr.. Wade's
presence. AS the silence continued in the
Texans apartment, there came subdued
smokers from all around, then one bold
laugh, and Immediately after chorus of
cheers and shouts from every sleeplngpen.
In the midst of these the man from the
tall grass country shuffied down stairs.
Among Sheridan's very peculiar char
acters the strangest one was known as
Jesso-a shrunken little figure with a
bumped back and shriveled left hand.
On the deformed trunk rested well-bai-
anced head. with quick, full eyes, and
face very difficult to read In it was
touch of humor, much of bitterness,
and a suggestion Of malice. When nature
painted the face, she had, like an artist
hurried at her work, touched up the rough
features with suggestions Of passions In
so faint an outline that you broke their
ing to grasp it. This man was one of
those contradictions Of life whom it
would have been unsafe to judge by eth
er chronological or instructive rules.
ITO be continued.)