Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1896-12-31
JUST PURE NERVE.

They had been talking of nervy men
when one Of the group asked if they had
ever known Of Johnny Neeley. who
staid awhile in Santa Fe in the early
days Of the town. He wasn't a "bad
man." little. smooth faced chap,
weighing perhaps 125 pounds. But he
was lightning, and by and by the boys
learned that he carried large quantities
of nerve with him at all times.
One night Neeley strolled into the
White Rose saloon, and sitting down by
small table some distance away from
the gang began smoking a long, black
Mexican cigar while reading newspa-
per that had come down by the last
stage. He puffed away at the cigar un-
til half an inch of ashes hung at the end.
The young fellow was tilted back In
his chair pointing up at an angle of 45
degrees The ashes made a splendid
target, and big Bob Sweeney cautiously
drew his gun and gave the boys the
wink.
There was flash, loud report, and
the bullet from Bob's pistol fecked the
ashes off Neeley cigar just as light and
smooth as if he had brushed them away
with his finger. To the surprise Of every
one present the young fellow did not
jump and yell as they had expected. In
stead he slowly folded the newspaper,
laid it down on the table and then turn
ed and looked at the gang with ques-
tioning expression on his face. He did
not even remove the cigar from his
mouth.
When he saw the smoking revolver In
Sweeney's hand, he got up and, walk.
ing over toward the table where the
gang were seated, asked in the mildest
sort Of tone, "Did you shoot at me or
my cigar?''
The gang was completely taken aback
at the GOODNESS Of the fellow.
IT just thought I'd flip the ashes of
yer cheroot, young feller. and save you
the trouble, = replied Sweeney, who still
held his revolver.
Thank you very much. Just want
ed to know what you were shooting at.
1t was a good shot There's no hard
feelings. Have one with mel"
As Neeley spoke he pulled out another
long cigar and handed it to Sweeney.
The big fellow held out his hand for
the cigar, but he was fairly dazed by
the action of the young man. Then
Neeley went back to his own table and
sat down again. AS soon as Sweeney
had recovered from his surprise he
winked at the crowd, and, putting up
his gun, struck match TO light his ci-
gar. AS he raised the burning match
toward his mouth there was sharp re-
port, and it was knocked out of his fin
gers. Quick as lightning Johnny Neeley
had drawn 6 inch derringer and had
shot the match out Of Sweeney's fingers.
'Never light cigar with a match.
The fumes Of the sulphur may spoil the
flavor of the weedl Allow me to offer
you light, " said Neeley, stepping over
and extending his lighted cigar with his
left hand.
Bob Sweeney's face was study. He
let his cigar drop Oh the table, and, with
his hands on his knees, he just sat there
for a minute and stared at the young
chap.
ibid you do that2" he gasped at last.
''Yes, but meant no offense. Here
is light. /"
Bob picked up his cigar, but when he
went to light it the boys saw that his
hand was shaking trifie. He got the
cigar burning, and then he sat and
puffed it in silence for five minutes, at
the end of which time he got up, and,
glancing at the half burned match lying
on the floor, said:
"Well, I'll be -P'
Sweeney marched up to the bar and
took a drink, without word to the
gang. Then he started out. To reach
the door be had to pass the table where
Neeley sat quietly reading the news
paper As he walked past the young fell
low the big bully took off his hat and
went out at the door on tiptoe. Pretty
soon the others of the gang followed,
and before morning every man in Santa
Fe knew that little Johnny Neeley was
the quickest and best shot in the terri
tory and that his nerve was the pure
stuff.
That little shooting match fixed the
jokes on him Neeley continued ON the
even tenor of his way, never boasting Of
anything and playing in hard luck most
Of the time. for six months passed before
the boys had a chance to see his nerve
tested again. He was gambling more
nnd more all the time and was usually
broke
One day there drifted into the town
regular professional bad man. He wore
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