Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-06-25

rel they had better remain neaceably
ct home in the future and do their pis'
tol practice in the quiet innocuous re-
tirement of shooting gallery. They
surely could not expect the strong man
of the law in the person OF psaceapiy
minded sheriff to reach out and pull
their chestnuts from the fire when sew
eral of them had already burned their
fingers, and when the chestnuts shot
and drank as straight as Hickory Sam.
Butler, finding the executive portion
of the law slow and reluctant to move
sought advice from his own lawyer, the
one disciple Of Coke-upon-Littleton IN
the place. The lawyer doubted it there
was any legal remedy in the then con-
dition of society around Salt Lick. The
safest plan perhaps would behind, he
did not advise, but merely suggested
to surround Hickory Sam and wipe him
| off the face of the earth. This might
not be strictly according to law, but 1t
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. 1t 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
| ,Iok esJo 4.
ment, for he had advanced 80 far in his
cups that he was all but speechless. Be-
ing a magnanimous man, he would
have been quite content to let bygones
be bYgones, but this unjustifiable action
| of Buffers required prompt and effec-
tual chastisement. He would send the
wealthy ranohman to keep company
with his slaughtered herdsmen. Thus
it 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
ly 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
he got quietly out Of town unmolested,
for Sam, weeping over the inaccuracy
Of his aim on Mikes shoulder, gradu-
ally sank to sleep in a corner Of the sa-
loon.
Next morning when Sam woke to
temporary sobriety he sent word to the
ranch that he would shoot old Butler
on sight and at the same time apologize
editor the previous eocentricities of his
fire, promising that such an annoying
exhibition should not occur again. He
signed himself 1.-THE Terror Of Salt Lick
and the Champion of Law and Order. !"
- It was rumored taat old Butler, when
he returned to the lawyers office, had
made his will and that the bank man
ager had witnessed it. This supposed
action of Butler was taken as most
delicate compliment to Hickory Sam g
determination and craftsmanship, and
he was justly proud of the work he had
thrown into the lawyers hands.
A week passed before old Butler came
to 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
q dozen glasses of "forty rod" that
morning.
When the rumor came to Hades that
old Butler was approaching the town
or horseback and alone, Sam at once
bet the drinks that he would fire but
one shot, and SO, in a measure, atone
for the Intellectual racket he had made
on the occasion of the previous encoun-
ter. The crowd stood by, in safe places,
to 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 card
ten yards farther away than any other
man in the country.
Old Butler came riding up the street
as calmly as if he were on his own
ranch. When almost within range Of
Sans pistol, the old man raised both
hands above his head, letting the reins
fall on the horse's neck. In this extraor-
binary attitude he rode forward, to
the amazement Of the crowd and the
evident embarrassment of Sam.
81 am not armed!" the old man
shouted "I've come to talk this thing
over and settle it.
cts too late for talk" yelled Sam,
Infatuated at the prospect of missing his
victim after all. "Pull your gun, old
man, and shootr'
81 haven't got gun on me- said
Butler, still advancing and still holding
up his hands.
| "That tricks played outr' shouted
Sam, finging up his right hand and
firing.
| The old man, with hands above his
head, leaned slowly forward like fall
ing tower, then pitched headforemost
| ASN