The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-12-20

were bold men, and were determined
not to be bullled into keeping rum; so
they went about their business as
usual.
Nothing further was seen of Walker
FOR two weeks, when one morning,
while Charles was getting breakfast,
Gilbert having gone ont to look after
the cattle. The first hint that Charles
had of his visitors presence was an
other volley of shots at their sign
board
This time Clate had shot the second
letter TO pieces. 1t was apparently
his way Of knocking. Immediately af-
ter he kicked the door open.
Under these circumstances It is not
very strange that Charles stepped out
of Il back door It about this time, and
went behind the corral, from whence
he heard Walker firing repeatedly and
great smashing inside. When at
length the desperate had taken his de-
parture it was found that he had made
a complete wreck of the crockery and
furniture, and in the grocery room he
had helped himself to tobacco and
emptied his revolver at the kerosene
barrel, which, tapped in half a dozen
| places, was deluging the floor
shall not undertake to say what
the duty Of my young friends was;
whether they should have resisted the
outrage and defended their property
ut the risk Of their lives or moved
away from so dangerous a neighbor-
| hood. What they did was to get out
Of sight whenever they saw Walker
| coming. and let him do his worst. 1t
CHANGED that after a time a second
cousin of my young friends came
| West to see them. His name was
Forney. and he was then Il student at
the military academy at West Point.
He dropped in upon the Small broth
ers quite Unexpectedly one afternoon,
and 1t is needless to say that they
were very glad to see him, and that
they passed a very pleasant evening.
Nothing was said about Walker, for
Gilbert and Charles, having an hon
est pride in their ranch, were 10th to
let Lieutenant Forney know how bad
ly they were off in respect to neigh
bors. The desperate happened to
come along, however. the very next
morning.
Charles and Forney were sitting in
the dining-room when Gilbert came
rushing in. having seen the gambler
coming up the road.
"Old Clate Walkers comingr' he ex
claimed. Put out at the back door,!
Charles leaped to his feet, but our
young West Pointer rose more leisure
ly,
who in the dickens is old ClatC
Walker?" he asked.
"A regular border terror! A desper
ado! a killer" exclaimed Gilbert
Hes likely to shoot any one of us a
sight! Come on
What! Run from your own houseT
said Forney, surprised. "Why, what
hold has this fellow on you?"
mo hold whatever; but he's a deat
shot and a double-dyed murderer"
cried Charles. you don't know hin
as we do. Come along with us an(
get out of his way"
mot L." exclaimed rorney, who per
haps felt that his military reputation
was at stake. Take your two gun,
and stand ready in the kitchen. II
stop here and see Mr.. Walker"
He hurriedly took his revolver from
his overcoat pocket, then stepped Z
the window behind the desk on tn,
counter.
With his customary oath, the gamb
Ter and dead shot kicked open the doc
and strobe in. The young lieutenap
sat Oh the high stool behind the desi;
apparently reading the newspaper. IL
did not look up
Hello, you sneak shouted Wall;
er where are the tender kids tina
keeps this temperance hotel?'
II think they've gone out TO hide,
said Borney, carelessly turning hi
paper. 'They said there was man
eater, a regular anthropophagus, com
ing, and they We're going to hide some
where"
Walker stared.
We'll, wellw he ripped out. "If yo
amt the freshest kid I've struck Il
ten years: Right fresh from the East
aren't you, young feller?"
Yes" said Forney, moving the pa
per. I'm from the East, and In
pretty fresh, | suppose. I'm a youn
fellow, but I'm pretty nice one"
Don't you give me any OF your lip.
thundered Walker do you know WI
| am?"
How should Il" said Forney. 1T
none of my business, I'm only her
} on visit don't care who you are.
The bully flushed, stung by the care
less contempt in Forney's tone.
} Suppose" he muttered, taking
: step toward the counter, while a mu,
: derous gleam crept into his eye, "sul
pose / were to tickle your Adams al
pie. with my dirk; what then?"
"Then I'd shoot you dead for til
J scoundrelly hound you arew exclaime
| the young cadet, sudden presenting h
! cooked revolver full In Walkers fac
''Moye-stir hand-and I'll shoot yo
} like a dogw
, "The first man that ever got the be,
/ Of me" gasped Walker: "and you
; little whlpper-snapper from the East.