Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-09-17

u the law slow and reluctant TO move
I soughl advice from bis own lawyer, the
one disciple of Coke-upon- Littfeton In
T the place. The lawyer doubted if there
I was any legal remedy in the then con-
T dition Of society around Salt Lick The
T safest plan perhaps would behind, he
T did not advise, but merely suggested
% surround Hickory Sam and wipe him
+ Of the face Of the earth This might
not be strictly according to law, but it
would be effective if carried out with
out an error.
The particulars of Buffers interview
with the sheriff spread rapidly in Salt
Lick and caused great indignation
among the residents thereof, especially
those who frequented Hades. Ii was
reproach to the place that the law
should be invoked all on account of
trivial incident like that of the day be-
fore. Sam, who had been celebrating
his victory at Mikes, heard the news
with bitter if somewhat silent resent
ment, for he had advanced so far in his
cups that he was all but speechless. Be
ing maguanimous man, he would
have been quite content to let bygones
be bygones, but this unJustifiable action
Of Buffers required prompt and effee-
tual chastisement. He would send the
wealthy ranohman to keep company
with his slaughtered herdsmen. Thus
il was that when Butler mounted his
horse after his futile visit to the lawyer
he found Hickory Sam holding the
street with his guns The fusillade that
followed was without result, which dis
appointing termination is accounted
for by the fact that Sam was exceeding
~ drunk at the time and the ranchman
was out of practice. Seldom had Salt
Lick seen so much powder burned with
no damage except TO the window glass
In the vicinity. Butler went back to the
lawyers Office and afterward had an
interview with the bank manager. Then
be got quietly out OF town unmolested,
for Sam, weeping over the inacCuracy
Of his aim on Mikes shoulder, gradu
ally sank to sleep in corner of the sa-
loon.
Next morning when Sam woke to
temporary sobriety he sent word to the
ranch that be would shoot old Butler
on sight and at the same time apologize
ed for the previous eooentricities Of his
fire, promising that such an annoying
exhibition should not occur again. He
signed himself THE Terror of salt Lick
and the Champion Of Law and Order.
IL was rumored that old Butler, when
he returned 70 the lawyers office, had
made his will and that the bank man
ager had witnessed il. This supposed
action Of Butler was taken as n most
delicate compliment to Hickory Sam s
determination and craftsmanship, and
he was justly proud OF the work he bad
thrown into the lawyers hands
A week passed before old Butler came
70 Salt Lick, but when he came Hickory
Sam was waiting for him, and this
time the desperate was not drunk-that
is to say, he had not had more than half
dozen glasses of forty rod" that
morning.
When the rumor came 90 Hades that
old Butler was approaching the town
on horseback and alone. Sam mt once
bet the drinks that he would fire but
one shot, aud so, in measure, atone
for the Intellectual racket he had made
ON the occasion of the previous encoun-
ter. The crowd stood by in safe places,
10 see the result Of the deal.
Sam, with one revolver in his right
hand, stood square in the center OF the
street with the sturdy bearing Of one
who has his quarrel just and who be-
sides can pierce the ace spot on "a card
ten yards farther away than any other
man in the country.
Old Butler Camo riding up the street
as calmly as if no were on his own
ranch When almost within range of
Sans pistol, the old man raised both
hands above his head, letting tho reins
fall on the horse IS neck. In this extraor-
binary attitude he rode forward, to
the amazement Of the crowd and the
evident embarrassment Of Sam.
II am not armed" the old man
shouted. "I'ye come to talk this thing
over and settle it. 80
"It's too hate for talk. " yelled Sam,
Infatuated at tho prospect of missing his
victim after all Pull your gun, old
man, and shoot"
Il haven't got a gun on me, y said
Butler, still advancing and still holding
up his hands.
"That tricks played out" shouted
Sam, hinging up his right hand and
firing.
The old man, with hands above his
head, leaned slowly forward like q fall
ing tower. then pitched headforemost
NMT Gz-1LlM VEN