The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-10
A FIGHT ON THE BORDER.

"It was in u.s." said the frontiersman,
''that first crossed the plains. A mining
boom was in progress at place that will
call San Pedro. 1t was about 200 miles
from Denver and not a railroad near it.
So went down by stage. l worked a
while at mining, but / didn't make a
striks, so l drifted down to small town
then known as Cow Gap, but dignifed now
by longer name. l spent most of my
money there, and one day took it into my
head to start out on tramp. l headed
for Pueblo, good way off, / know; but /
was in no hurry, and as there were several
ranches only half a days walk apart was
not troubled about food and shelter. Folks
are very hospitable in the west. 1 man
aged to get off the right trail while cross
ing one of the mountains, and although
was on some kind of a wagon road didn't
come to any ranch. / had some bacon,
salt, matches, five pounds of -four and a
dozen large potatoes with me, so had no
trouble in getting dinner. l didn't much
relish the idea of camping out, as / had no
blanket, but had about resigned myself to
when reached the house l was at
tackled by two enormous dogs, but beat
them off and shouted until a woman ap-
peared. She seemed surprised and some
what annoyed to see me, but when Ioffered
to pay for my board she asked me into the
house, where a man was sitting by a 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 neighbor was very sociable, but he
seemed trifie uneasy and wanted to find
out all about me. had nothing to conceal,
so made his pumping process easy work,
and when, as l supposed, he was satisfied
that it was safe to leave me alone with the
woman, said good-by to both of US, mount
ed his horse and rode away.
The ranchman was expected home by
s, but he had not arrived when the clock
struck 10. The woman did not seem I'M
easy at his absence. She and l had been
chatting about many things. She had just
shown me where l could sleep and l was
preparing to turn in when heard horses
hoofs ringing on the frosty road. 1t struck
me that the animal was being ridden for
all it was worth, and l wondered whether
any accident had befallen 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 a smart cut with his 'quirt" or
whip. The animal-a fine Kentucky bred
black-wheeled and galloped off at ire
mendous pace. The man listened until the
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
i 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 andI 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, l hastily resumed such of my
clothes as / had thrown aside and Joined
the couple in the living room. The man
was eating some supper that she had pre-
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 | don't think you'd betray the man
whose grub You have eaten, but can't
A.. 49, ..f- -
While he was speaking dozen conject-
ures fitted across my mind. Did he mean
to kill me? / wondered, and as he declared
his determination TO risk nothing | invol-
UNFAIRLY t for my revolver. As his name
that Of a noted desperado-left his lips,
however, gazed into the muzzle of a 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 l 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
Il complied.
"'You are recently from the east, are
you noty he asked. answered in the at
firmative
"'Ah,' he said, reflectively, I was in
Wall street fifteen years ago
Something in his appearance, knew
not what, made me look closely at him.
so your name now 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
Greeners l see the likeness now, though
Well, your father did me many 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
guess there'll be fight
THE ranchman was an old friend of my
fathers. He used TO visit my family very
frequently when / was a youngster in
knee breecheS. He wore no beard in those
days. He had often given me tips, and he
was, ! knew, then a most extravagant
man. / dimly remembered that he had
held a prominent position in the street
and that he suddenly ceased coming TO our
house. l 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 /
i think with the consent of his sureties. |
He watched me for moment while pom /
dered on these things. Then he spoke |
again:
Don't breathe my name to any living /
soul, Fred be said. 1t was supposed that |
l was drowned on board the Merry Mon 1
arch, bound for Buenos Ayres- Never cor |
rect that impression. Now for the events 4
Of the present. If the sheriff happens to |
meet my horse down the road he Will call /
IN al the old ranch before he comes here. |
II not, he viii be at the gate IL fifteen min !
utes. won't surrender, aud he means /