Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-01-08
THE PASSING OF THE WIDOW.

THE PASSING OF THE WIDOW.
"Reddy's got em again sure, - said Ca
muck, jerking his thumb toward the collec
ton of shanties lean-tos and tents that
was dignifed by the title of Boom City.
To one who knew Reddy's habits the ap-
pearances were decidedly IN favor of the
truth of Canuck's diagnosis. He was com
ing down the road at a gait that, as Dun
ham remarked, resembled an Indian war
dance more than anything else.
"a few more spells like that and he will
need pine overcoat, " said Jackpot, whose
name-John Potts-was too suggestive of
the national game to remain unchanged.
There was a decided aversion. anyway, TO
calling a man by his right name in Boom
City. AS Reddy had put it to a new arri-
val, at don't make no diff renee what han
die fitted you back in tn States; here you
goes by the one what suils you best, and
there's less chance of havin' a call from tn
sheriff "
The red-headed red-faced, red-shirted
man whose predominating color had won
him his sobriquet continued to wave his
arms and run until within shouting distance,
when, in a voice made husky by long ad
dicton to the same" he electrified the
group of fortune hunters with Come on
The Becher boys hev got tn widder,n
"Whats that,' How Talk quick"
And with questions and oaths the men
dropped picks, shovels and cradles, and
clamored for details
81 wuz takin' a snooze in tn back of tn
widder's Drunk, - sententiously remarked
Canuck and she was a-cleanin tn glasses,
Reddy continued, paying no attention to
by nearin' tn glasses smash on tn floor
started to Jump up, but sat down student
again, fer found myself a-lookin' into the
muzzles of my own guns that Big Belcher
was holdin' comfortably nigh my head He
says, says he, You shet up and go to sleep
again. l shet, an l seed tn wilder a-goin'
out tn back door tween tn Belcher twins
You fellers wuz all out here, blind and
deaf to ev'rything but yer own mis'able
claims, an ! wuz tn only gentleman left t
look out fer tn wilder, which same l could
MT do count O. them two guns agn' my
head. You're a pretty lot of galoot's, you
air
81 heerd 'em a-gittin tn wilder on a
boss, an then Big Belcher run out, and
jumpin on his pony, put after tn others
The Teller what bought them guns paid
forty dollars for EN-" Reddy added regret
fully, unconsciously emphasizing the
"bought."
"The widow was not only the owner of
the one saloon in Boom City, all rivals be
ing forcibly discouraged by her admiring
customers, but she was the one woman in
the town, and as such was respected, ad-
mired protected, and proposed to by its en-
tire population, individually and collec-
lively. Even Reddy himself had applied
for the honor of being supported by her.
To him her refusal was offset by some of
the same, which she gave him to soothe
pc wounded feelings.
: She was a neat, pretty little woman, who
ruled in undisputed and absolute monarchy
over her rough but loyal subjects, no one of
whom, even in his widest and most drunken
orgies had ever shown her aught b utre-
spect. \ presumptuous tenderfoot who
had attempted to kiss her had been saved
from instant humiliation only by her own
As it was he was conducted
to the limits of the town, where it was
quietly but forcibly impressed upon him
that in future the air of that neighborhood
would not be conducive to his health. A
nervous lingering of the spokesman revol-
yer added whatever emphasis was needed
So when it dawned upon the understand
ing of Reddys listeners that the widow,
their sole representative of the gentler sex,
the proprietor of their 'hotel,' their most
precious claim, and, as each man secretly
assured himself, his future wife, had actu-
ally been not only roughly handled, but
carried off stolen, kidnapped, by the three
'Belcher boys they did not lose many
minutes starting in pursuit.
The ''Belchersn were the proprietors of
''The Palace Saloon and Road to Fortune"
in Gold City, Booms City's neighbor and
rival.
According to a denizen of Boom City, all
that was and should not be was contained
within the limits of Gold City; and the in
habitants of the latter metropolis declared
that Boom City stood for all that was not
and should be.
1t was a quiet but determined body of
men that, leaving Boom City entirely de-
serted took the trail for that one-dog
town, as JacK-pot called it,
No plan or plans had been formulated
They were simply going TO Gold City, res
cue the widow, and restore her to her
throne otherwise barr or take up their
abode in Gold City's cemetery, with a choice
selection of their enemies for company.
1t was silent crowd that toiled along
that dusty Colorado road, except for an oc-
casional burst of swearing from some one
generally Canuck. The hot sun beat down
upon them, the dust kicked up by their
heavy boots filled their mouths and throats;
but there was no drinking done; the work
before them was of too serious character,
and even Reddy forgot to lament his
parched condition.
They were surprised, as they neared their
not to find a delegation sent
out to welcome them. They had expected
warm reception-to have to fight their
way from the first shanty to the widder's
side. Instead, the town sizzled along in
It's usual sleepy way, and, beyond a curious
ook or a quizzical smile from the loungers,
prototypes of Reddy, no apparent notice
was taken of their advent as they filed down
he main and only street
"'T amt material, said Canuck; they
must be holdin out cards on us
Arriving in front of "Ihe Palace Saloon
md Road TO Fortune, - the Boom City delega-
ion halte3a moment, and then, each man
holding revolver in readiness for instant
Use, TIM stalked solemnly and threaten
ugl\i1-p the saloon. They were surprised
ounds empty, and so pushed on into the
I'm Mrs. 'parlors."
A rCns have ~onan caught sight of the |
IL the report that 'mrsat the farther
= "a S"5 f the Methodist pastor, was i'll ~.