The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1899-09-07
Dance at FIint's Tavern.

patch of moonlight looking toward
Flints tavern. Faint strains of music
from old Craddock's fiddle reached
his ears and he could hear the scuffie
and tramp of feet keeping time to
the measures of "Old Dan Tucker"
Rem loved dance almost as much |
as he loved fight, and he beat time |
with his foot as he leaned on his gun |
and listened. Some one opened the |
tavern door aud a shaft of yellow
light crossed the moons silver radi |
ance. Rem stepped back into the
shadows. He could see the dancers
and recognize them as they whirled
by the opening. There were Jed
Murray and the Widow Wild. Rem
saw them and swore softly.
Things amt fair 10 this world,
he said. IF 1 hadn't shot Wild
last week she couldn't a-ben thar
dancin' so keerless like. but I could.
Thar amt man up thar that misses
the departed, an yit they air layin'
for me because put him outen the
way of spoilin' their pleasure to-
night"
He gazed darkly at the scene of
merriment, and then, as the time
honored strains sounded louder and
faster, be began moving to the
measures. Now in the glare of the
moon where his shadow danced with
him Enthusiastically; now back into the
shade, on the edge of which cut into
the moonlight again. Forward and
back! First couple lead to the right!
Ladies change. Balance to the left
All hands around. Waltz
Rem crooked his arm to embrace
his Wis Wis. But the modest shadow
refused to come nearer.
"Ah, get out' he exclaimed; "lm
goin' up to the house"
He took out his pistols and made
for the hill. The fiddle stopped with
snarl and the dancers fell back
against the wall as he darkened the
doorway. Lem jeffrey and Nose
Tibbs each put back his right hand;
but Rem said I've got the drop on
) ye," and they sort of grasped the
situation. From where he stood he
had the whole room covered.
Boys" he observed calmly, Il
amt goin' to do no shootin' 'thout
: it's necessary. But I be a-goin to
! dance. Oh, Kit"
His wife stepped forward. A girl
supple as a tigress, with flashing
black eyes.
'EHyar I be, Rem >
| Exit, hev you got any objections
) to my dancin' with the Widdel
!, Wilde"
l II reckon / amt Rem"
"Kin you hold the shoetin irons
an kiver them that does object while
| the dance goes on, Kite
"Wall, I reckon I kim
He handed her the pistols and she
took his place in the door.
/ Rem walked across the room tc
f the recently bereaved Mrs. Wild anc
: bowed gallantly.
t ''Widder," he said, L b'leeve this
4 hyar is our waltz. Tune up, Grad
D dock
: The bow fell sharply on thu
0 trembling strings and the coupl'
i whirled in perfect time with th'
melody. Jeffrey and Tibbs tried t.
/ move down little from their place
d but Kits clear voice rose above thu
musis as the shining barrels of tn
: pistols veered in their direction
h "Boys, hyar's lookin' at ye.'
e Round and round the room the,
circlsd. The widows cheeks wer
as pink as her calico gown, and sh
smiled at Kit as she and Rem nearet
the doorway.
n One whirl to the left, another t.
the right, then Rem sprang back
= ward. regained the pistols. and, still
: walking backward, went down III
!, moonlighted hills and reached tn
' woods. He found his cayuse nibbl
! ing the short green grass, and afte
q moments listening to Craddock'
-o,,A1o on7 n