The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1900-09-04
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
THE BLUE-TOPPED BOOTS
BY eOHARo wllIAv r4ovsos.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Oh III" 'Jokcrs' rode ahead two hpsid,,
me and tn" rest tailed behind. So far
as / could see, all seemed very ready
TO shoot
II seemed to mo that was hurt in
tcrnally. a; any rate. they had lrl
me about half Il mile before ! WAS
able TO demonstrate. which / did as
Jocularly aS | could, for | supposed |
might earn Il valuable reputation fol,
sand ny taking the hazing pleasantly.
You fellows nre too smart with the
rope" said. III you played fair. I'd
have kept the crowd off with the pitch
rork-bet your life
The man on my right. the gaunt
young rider SO quick 10 anger. swung
the back of his left hand against my
mouth before I could finish. This was
too much. With my lips bleeding and
mashed cried out. Say. YOU needn't
think I'm going TO stand this sort of
thing. Not much! You're going too
far Striking me like that, You're n
brute. Just let my hands free and
Then he backhanded my nose. AMI
the man on my left punched me in the
ribs, and [ stopped my challenge and
fell all NJ once into fear.
Not laugh had come from any man
in the c0valcade since saw them first
What If they We're not COMMUNICATING
thos" savage looks? Were they il,
earnest: Did they. then. mistake me
Tor some horse thief? If SO. 7 was in
danger OF being hung soon. | thought.
for Nixon had told me that such had
been the end of three horse thieves in
the region. | nj once began cxpostu-
laiing in Il new tone.
What's the matter:" asked
What am I accused of? I've only
been here two days I'm from wis.
conSin. and I've been working rSi.
Nixon right along. There's some mis-.
take"
NJ "auu'. ticrcr Young mau ON my
lSll' looked down ut my boots with an
eNii grin. None of the others seemed
TO eve my questions any attention.
la vain l varied my question: no re-
p'I was made. unless looks of incrcas-
ing anger and disgust could he called
replies Finally the big graybearl.
VINO was one Of the two riding ahead
OF me. turned savagely. ana said
on internal numbering villain. TN
gag YOU if YOU don't shut up. Shut upr'
And | did. but rot before the vounr
man had again swung the back of his
hard hand against my mouth. With
mai. confess, began TO cry and
sob.
DO You mind Jim's woman boyv
she cried over Him last night said
'nr young man. speaking to his com
r"ue acroSs my front with an air of in
tense loatling aud contempt for me.
y murder had been committed yester-
day. then! And was supposed to Inc
the slayer!
III horror | spoke out again: Great
heavens, men. don't hang an innorent
person. bur before | had quite finished
'hc nig man turned. and the fierce
young man seized me by the bacl, Of
IN" neck and held me while the gray
heard damned Il quadruplcd section of
lariht into my mouth. after tvinY its
ohdS together with rawhidc thongs
when nc finally tied behind my head.
J! almost chokcd me; the taste was
Slckehlng, and ! thought | should
iaih' with pain and terror. Now
could not even plead for my life
lheY took me two miles farther and
ih"n saw the river and much Ioro-n,.
company Of men under y solitary prcnt
"ak tree. The big graybcard had al
ready eallup"d forward. and sunn,sn
nc hhd fold the others the murdnrn,.
was captured. for man was on an .
long low branch fixing daurlipo
rome
rs ! came near it struggled 10 re-.
'eaS' my arms and made some sound
WIN my mouth trying to shrek pro
'"N''uons Of innocence ana demands
'ha' Nixon be- brought. but thcv gave
inc little attention. and I could crrcct
nothing until they pulled mo down
from tho horse Then 7 took tbn,p L,,
surprise. for ! began series of kicts
ana before they had Knocked mo dov.r
"nd bound my logs. tho fierce vo,,p,,
man. VINO hnd struck me- three times
was doubled up holding his stou2rf,
WIN his two hands aud gauiua ,ytit,
wv" others were little lcitor Off
Pretty good tor y man with bi.
N'nds iicd'' said Tho graveyard. apprc.
'la'iVciy First time over SEQ n roc.
ular numbering villain that was 50
game. I'd feel like gIvin' him SQUARE
irinl If IL wasn't clear waste of time d,
ana with Thar me- looked hard gf INV
| blue oppcd boots
\in'' D." got 'cm ou:' said another
/ Let him die iu en- seeing no. killed
Jim foo 'cm."
Then ) guessed the truth quite acrur
/ afrIN Ia furi nu tuI.t,,,.,, .,,,.,,. a..