The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-23
THE PARSONS QUEST.
How It Ended In "The Emma
Saloon"

There was breezy crowd over in the
Emma saloon one night less than a year
ago, and every man was well heeled,
carrying his revolver handy, and wore
his shirt open at the neck. AS for the
women-there was only one, and she
rejoiced in the soubriquet of Scared
Emma" and ycu only had to look at
her hands to know why. They had
been burned TO the bone, and, although
she wore diamond rings to the first
joint of every finger, they didn't dis
guise the horrid scars. scanned and ivid,
and of these Emma was preuder than
of the rings. Well she might be. Had
she not saved the lives of men and
women bearing them in her arms from
a burning building? And these scars
were her medals of honor for her
bravery.
Some of the gang were playing draw
poker, others engaged in game OF
seven up. Some drank and loafed,
loafed and drank again, and chaffed
with the landlady, who was about as
anna bic as tiger
On the night here alluded to, Scared
Emma" was busy handing out the min
ers poison in copious doses, and listen
ing to such cheap compliments as were
not too suggestive of reviewers and
free fights, when the door opened, and
the deputy sheriff entered the place.
Everybody rose up, and a shout OF
welcome greeted the newcomer.
Hello, Bill. glad to see yer. Brung
in any new uns?"
Nav! Evenin', EN-. About two I'm
gers straight, SEEM jest got in. Been
to Omaha for a pesky boss thief.
Tried to get away, out here, and we
was goin' to let him have it, but there
wuz leetle weakened parson on the
stage an he interfered and prayed off
SO fluid like we weakened, an let the
Teller go with nary bullet in his
carcass. Here's to we, EN-, for the
fairest of yer sex. Come on, boys, an
fill up at my expense"
He tossed off the dram and set the
tumbler down to be reflled.
where's the parsen?" asked tho land
lady, smiling on the deputy as she
measured the fiery fluid with liberal
hand.
''he's stopped over to preach at Hell's
Delight, but he'll be at the Gulch to-
morroy, an doan yer forget it, less he
dies afore mornin' kind O. sudden from
a dose of cold lead. An I'd advise the
boys to grease their boots and be ready,
for he's buster, the parsen is"
Say, Bill remarked Emma, stirring
his whisky by shaking it in the glass,
sis he young feller?''
cav. an sickly. Lord, yer can sec
daylight through him"
''An' takes sugar in his?"
"You bet.'
The crowd roared at Emma's wit, and
this time she SCI it up for them herself.
Say, Bill, is he really comm here to
preach?"
Lock here, En-. You're talkin'
through your bonnit. Come here he
may. but preach-he! no! guess not. :"
'.Who says mop" asked the woman,
and this time the tiger showed itself N
her eyes.
Il dove all do" roared the crowd
IN q rudc cuOTES
And say he shall"
And she folded her SCARED hands
across her bosom SO that all present
could see them. That one motion had
a strange effect upon those human
coyotes, who would have knitted man
in the back and made no account Of it.
1t is true that even desperadoes have
their soft moments. This woman
standing before them had one claim on
their respect. and as their eyes followed
that movement and fell on the SCARED
and cica tried hands, the dumb appeal
moved them as nothing else could have
done. OFF went every hat, bearded lips
trembled, then, as there was danger OF
too much sentiment, there went up a
cheer from twenty hoarse threats, and
as Emma turned to set up again for
them, she dashed something from her
eyes that might have oeen q tear.
So it happened that when Rev. James
Forsyth reached Dead Mans Gulch, he
learned that the principal saloon was
prepared to receive him. being turned
for the time into meeting house. All
through the little town and far into
the surrounding country these placards
were affixed to walls AID trees: