Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-05-25
THE FIELD OF ADVENTURE.
THRILLING INCIDENTS AND DAR-
ING DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.

n Texas Episodc-Colonel FOrdyce',
Romance-Hypnotize by Rattle
snake-Entrapped by His Tongue
X PROPO5 of stories of the
\ plains here is one from the
IL Washington T,l Post; a,,,
City Marshal ola pioneer Texas town,
had been followed to the hill by quite
a number of his friends, who deplored
the fact of his attempting to quiet q
crowd of reVelers, which fact they held
directly responsible for his funeral,
and Almon Gray, small of stature, red
of hair, and conspicuous only for his
peculiar gray eyes, had hurrledly been
elected his successor. Thousands oi
head of cattle were being held on the
| prairies around the town, awaiting
cars for shipment from this, the then
Western terminus of the Missouri
Pacific road in Texas, and dozen COW
outfits were camped on the near by
streams with nothing to do but amuse
themselves taking in the town. This
process, usually accompanied by more
or less pistol practice and unlimited
jass, added n degree of animation to
the place totally unknown in the effete
East.
''Hearing fusilade in the Little
Gem saloon one evening, accompanied
by several whoops, l strolled in to see
the circus, and typical view was pre-
sented. Standing before the bar,
which was presided over by youth of
sixteen, was tall six footer with a
smoking pistol in his hand, while from
a row of barrels along the wall whisky
was pouring out upon the sawdust
through series of holes just manu-
factured by a forty-five Colts bullet.
The boy behind the bar spoke to the
shooter just as he entered, telling him
to be careful or he would hurt some
body and get arrested.
''Snatching bowie from his belt
and stretching out his full length he
gave a whoop, and sticking the knife
in the bar with II fierce blow he sung
out, i am the war eagle from the
Pacos, and would like to see the color
OF the mans hair that could arrest
me-
'Before tho sentence was finished
the screen doors were parted and in
walked the Marshal, who seemed n
dwarf compared with the half drunken
giant. Quick us a flash the Marshal
took in the situation, and, pulling his
gun, leveled it Mt the cowman's ear.
Hearing him enter, tho eagle turned
his head until his chin encountered
the perforated end OF this regulation
emblem of peace, and for moment n
thrilling tableau was enacted. With
sarcastic smile on his face, Marshal
Gray, with his disengaged hand re-
moved his hat, and, running his fin
gers through his wavy locks. request
ed the gentleman from the Pacos to
inspect his hair.
MY curls, said he, ARE auburn,
though some are SO impolite as 20 call
them red or sandy. You have just ex-
pressed desire to see the color, and
| make it rule to be as accommodate
ing to strangers as possible
san ashy paleness overspread the
cowman'S face, and his hand started
for tie Gtill quivering bowie knife
GbLSAllty III u4lO CAl. III tu lublull Lne
smile left the MarsLGl's lips, q danger
Gus glitter shone from his steoly eyes.
and in voice of thunder he com
manded Hands up. Quick, or I'll
bore you Two clicks of tho pistol
hammer told the man from the Pacos
that the time had come to obey, and
with tie additional command, 'Out of
the door, march, he raised his hands
above his head and led the way to the
lookup.
$50 quickly had this scene been en-
acted that it might havo seemed
dream, but for the smoke clouded
room. the dripping liquor from the
barrels, and the cleaning bowie knife
in the counter top. These were un-
disputable evidence of one of those
episodes which have made the annals
of the West q history of the truest
bravery, GOODNESS and courage of an
American citizen"