The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-03-06
A FIGHT ON THE BORDER.

- was IA 80 o'tlh
''t!lTL first crossed the plains. A mining
boom was in progress at Il place that will
call San Pedro. 1t was about eco miles
from Denver and not railroad near it,
So went down by stage. | worked
while at mining, but l didn't make
strike, SO | driftcd down to II small town
then known as Cow Gap, but digniiied now
by a longer name. spent most of my
money there, and one day took it into my
head to start out on Il tramp. | headed
for Pueblo, a good way off, know; but
yv;. in no hurry, au;l as there we're several
r.nchns only bali Il days walk apart WAS
mos trouble about lnod AMI shelter. FOLKS
arr very hospitab.c in the west. I man
H%ed to get of the right trail while cross
IT,; one of the mountains, and although l
We on some kind of Il wagon road didn't
come TO any ranch. ] had some bacon,
sat, matches, five rounds'of flour and a
dn2en large potatoes with me, so had no
trouble in getting dinner. l didn't much
relish th" idea of camping out, as had no
Blanket, but had about resigned myself to
1t when saw the smoke of ranch.
"When reached the house l was at
tackled ty two enormous dogs, but beat
them OF and shouted until woman ap-
peared She seemed surprised and some
what annoyed to see lac, but when 1o!fered
to pay for my board she asked ne into the
house, where n man was sitting by huge
fire 1t seemed that he was simply neigh
Dor The master of the house was away,
The woman said. The neighbor was just
keeping her company during his absence.
The ucighbor was very sociable, but he
seemed Il trifle uneasy and wanted to find
out all about me. | had nothing to conceal,
SO made his pumping process easy work,
and when, as | supposed he was satisfied
that it was safe to leave me alone with the
woman, said Good-by to both of u.s. mount
ed his horse and rode away.
1.-The ranchman was expected home by
8, but he had not arrived when the clock
struck 10. The woman did not seem I'M
easy at his absence. She and | had been
chatting about many things. She had just
shown me where | could sleep and was
preparing to turn in when heard u horses
hoofs ringing OIL the frosty road. 1t struck
me that the animal was being ridden for
all it was worth, and wondered whether
any accident had befalen my hostess hus-
band and if the rider had come laden with
bad news. The horse was refined up short
at the gate leading to the house. peered
out through the window. A medium sized
man with handsome beard was rapidly
removing the saddle and bride. These he
tossed inside the gate, and then gave the
horse u smart cut with his 'quirt" or
whip. The animal-a fine Kentucky bred
black-wheeled and galloped off at tire
IA, \ Al.
hoof beats died away in the distance and
then entered the house. heard him talk
ing with his wife, for did not doubt that
the newcomer was the owner of the ranch.
wondered why he had ridden so furiously
and then turned his splendid horse adrift,
for the night was chilly and the horse very
warm. Presently footsteps approached my
door and heard my hostess voice.
"'My husband wants to speak with you
at once she said will you please make
hasteY Wondering more than ever at this
request, | hastily resumed such of my
clothes as l had thrown aside and joined
the couple in the living room. The man
was eating some supper that she had pre-
pared. He seemed hurried, but perfectly
cool. She looked worried.
"'Sorry to disturb you, stranger he
said, looking up as | entered the room.
My wife tells me that you asked for shell
ter and she has given it to you. I'm glad
to meet you, but it's unfortunate that you
happened here tonight. From the look of
you l don't think you'd betray the man
whose grub you have eaten, but can't
afford to take chances. I'm Tom King
while he was speaking Il dozen conject-
ures fitted across my mind. Did he mean
to kill me? l wondered, and as he declared
his determination to risk nothing invol-
unfairly felt for my revolver. AS his name
that of a noted desperado-left his lips,
however, | gaZed into the muzzle of IL Colt
As He must have had the weapon on his
knee. 1t is scarcely necessary to say that
! did not attempt to draw my Shooting
iron.' ! had learned sufficient to know
when a man got the drop ON me. Oh
serving this he lowered his weapon.
"'Don't take offense, young man. he
said. Don't fool with your gun either.
Lay it on the table
* complied
"'You are recently from the east, are
you not? he asked. answered in the af-
frmative.
"'Ah,' he said, refcctively, I was in
Wall street fifteen years ago.
Something in his appearance, I knew
not what, made me look closely at him.
so your name row is Tom King, ! re-
marked. Did you ever meet my father,
Nicholas Greener?"
''He started from his chair. You don't
mean to say that you are little Fred
Greener2 / see the likeness now, though
Well, your father did ME many a good
turn. I'm more sorry than ever that you
should have come here at this time The
sheriff and large posse are after me, and
Iguess there'll be fight
"The ranchman was an old friend of my
fathers. He used to visit my family very
frequently when l was a youngster in
knee breaches. He wore no beard in those
days He had often given me tips, and he
was, I knew, then u most extravaganza
man. l dimly remembered that he had
held prominent position in the street.
and that he suddenly ceased coming to our
house. ! remembered also that my father
had spoken regretfully of his fall, and that
the commercial world had been astounded
at the magnitude of the series of robberies
that he had committed. also knew that
he had been arrested and jumped his bail
Il think with the consent of his sureties.
He watched me for moment while pom
dered on these things. Then he spoke
again: