The Press., 1895-11-28


 sarY had always been his signal for prompt action, and his triggerlesS six shooter had on such occasions always been the 'arbiter of justice, from which no appeal lay. The merCi1ess Stwitting to which O'Connor was subjected had made it necessary for him to do some thing to maintain the dignity of the law.
 When Tex that evening walked into The Gold Room, O'Connor was there. They saw each other at a glance. O'COn- nor leis0rely walked toward Tex, and the boy fastened his keen eyes upon him as though he would read his thoughts.
 "Tex," said the marshal. ''you've killed Skinner, and you know what I've got to do with you "
 ''Arrest lne2'' said Tex quietly. The conversation was conducted in-subdued tones. Don't try it," continued Tex II like you, andaI haven't got thing against ,you. I don't want to kill you, O'Connor. Now you go Rbout your busi- ness and leave me alone, When the grand jury meets you Il find me right here in The Gold Room, and I'll go with you and stand trial, but I won't be arrested.
 ''But; Tex, said the marshal, "I've got to 'dotmy duty
 "AndTI've got to do mine, '' said Tex. "I done itthts morning when drilled hole through Skinny, and I'll do 1t whenever a man puts 8 hand on me. 1 ain't spelling for fight, specially with you, 0'Connor, and if you see yonr duty make sure that it s|Sto let me alone. Now go away and don t trouble yourself any more about me" -~'
 Tex turned to go away, but in turn Ing he saw the marshal draw his pistol. There was a quick, sharp report. puff of smoke, and O'Connor lay writhing on the floor in his blood.
 Again the large gambling room was in 8 state of commotion. Tables were upturned, and loud voices could be dis tinguished above the din, shouting: "KiM him P'' "Shoot him !'' There was general rush in the direction where Tex had stood, but the boy had disap- peared!F
 Then it was that Leadville expe- rienced moral revulsion. When men could no longer sit down to a beguiling game of stud poker or watch the cards as they were silently slipped from the case by the nimble fingers of the faro dealer without being disturbed by the crack of pistols and the accompanying acts of violence and bloOdshed it was time to make few examples and read | just the moral standard of the commu- nity.
 How much greater was the necessity when, as On this occasion, men made free with the executive hand of justice in the person of the marshal, whose only ofense had been that of trying to cage fragrant violator of the peace and maintain the dignity of the law, even what little there was of it. But Tex could nowhere be found.
 Sheriff Tucker began to take the case in hand. He and his deputies secured the town from one end to the other. They visited all of Tex's resorts and calling places, but none had seen him after the shooting At las~ ucker heard that he had left town on horseback. He was probably far over the divide by this time, but Tucker was not the sort of man to be easily discouraged. He and a deputy, whose aim was as accurate as his own, and whose courage was some thing to be banked on in all emergen- c1es, started in pursuit. They had bet ter horses than the animal Tex was rid ing and they were soon on the boy g trail 'ss A1-%Fs'"'t3f i Then began one of the hottestpursuits that was ever known. By daylight they were in sight of the fugitive, catching a farof glimpse of him as he waved his sombrero at them just as he slipped over the crest of@a range of hills. Both par- ties had changed horses several ,times At one place Tex had traded his broken down bronoho for buggy horse, paying the difference that the owner asked without haggling about the price. Then he had traded the buggy horse for Ute pony that would try to run up hill as fast as he ran down, and whose spirit nothing could conquer but death. Once they were perceptibly gaining on him and tried few shots that fell short.
 Just as they thought stbey were going to close in on him and were putting their horses to their best Tex waved his ,sombrero over his head, standing erect in the saddle, and gave such an unearth- ly yell that the poor pony was frighten' ed into convu1sive effort that carried him beyond the range of vision of Tuck or and his man. Yet on they pressed. around the shoulder of 8 hill, and there thev saw .their man-at their mercy.
 His broncho had broken his neck kstnm- bling over a bowlder. Tex had been thrown down, but was too expert rider not to find. his feet. His revolver had been hurled down 8 bank and was be. yond reach His pursuers were upon him, and the business end of two re- volvers were ominously directed against his breast.
 Tex made a bounding leap down the bank. "Crack, crack I' spoke two revolv. CTS, but the bullets missed The next instant Tex had got possession -hfs re. votver, but the tgap had broken hil wrist, and the sheriff and his man had the drop on him. ~r'.-~.
 "Tex," shouted Tucker, ':throw IF your hands We've got you. ''
 "Shoot, d-n you, shoot"
 He tried to level his own gun, but his wrist was limp, and before he conid change it to his left hand tfere was an almost simultaneous report of two, pis. tols, and a pair of. bullets had passed I into his heart. Tex fenss heavily on Ii Ihiil side, and as the sheriff and This, deputy saw. that they had done their work well they watched him. .@'.'
 ''pake the potp' gasped@ Tex, and died: Washington Post, s- .@ .s.<
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