Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-08-19

up. but he kept out of my way. when
/ finally sat down to rest. he cams
sneaking back 70 say:
Colonel. they al said ye was queer
sort OF a critter. but this last circus
beats my time. Mebbe yen tell ms
what it's all about?''
"And maybe I'll pump is bullets IN
to you as soon as get hold Of my rif-
LEI" l gasped. Potts. you ought to he
killed out Of hand. 1t won't be murlsT
to wipe you or the face OF the earth "a
'Bekase Of that bar trap" ne asked.
Yes, of course. You knew where II
was and never said q word to me II
hadn't struck the chain with my foot,
I'd have walked right into 1t"
Yes. I'd sorter forgot bout that
trap" he unused as he scratched his
ear, but it's all right. amt itg We
didn't walk into it. and can't see
why We should kick up SIGH a row.
Lordy. but We seem to pe mighty per-
ticker mani"
1t was bit OF a job to get my rife
free of the paws. and then dumped
the old trap into ravine and warned
Potts that if he showed his face In
camp I'll fusillade him. He waited
for two or three hours and then came
in with an injured expression on his
face and started up the fire for supper.
By that time l had got over my desire
to shed his blood, but I couldn't over
look his carelessness. We ate and
smoked and sat around in silence. and
next day would have seen the partners
ship dissolved for sure but for an in
cident OF the night, Soon after mid
night a grizzly came skulking around
and almost stampeded our mules. and
Potts showed his gameness by blufIlng
the old fellow back into the thieket
without waiting for me. This broke
the ice and made us friends again, and
it was agreed to give old Ephraim a
hard run for it next day. When MORN
ing came, / had about taken old Potts
under my wing again and was secretly
glad that l hadn't reached him with
my club. As soon as breakfast was
dispatched we started out The bear
had left tracks as big as a house and
in going away had headed along the
mountain. We copld reasonably hope
to hole him up somewhere within =
mile provided he had satisfied his
hunger and got home in the due sea-
son. When we finally came to a likely
spot, went to the right and Potts to
the left to investigate an opening in
the rocks. l made slow advance.
realizing that the bear might be In
ambush behind any or the big bowl
ders, and was crouching alongside Of
one. with neck stretched out, when
there was whiz and spat, and
was blinded for moment by particles
OF stone flung into my eyes. Potts was
carrying a rife that day, and as ita
bark followed the spat Of tho bullet
knew what had happened While
had my hands TO my eyes Heard hin
shout at the top OF his voice.
"Hey. colonel, I've got himgot him
fur surel"
Half minute later he stood beside
me, prepared to finish off the game
/ think he was really surprised and per-
haps considerably disappointed when
he found living man instead Of >
dead grizzly, and he hadn't word 70
say. He sat down near me on rock
and it was FIVE minutes before had
my eyes cleared enough to make him
out Then / brought up my Winches-
ter and said:
Potts. I'm going to shoot t6 holes
into your jackass carcass Where DO
you want the first one?"
so It was you instead OF a b'arg's 30
queried in reply.
1T was and you knew It was. You
meant to murder and rob me. you old
villianl Talk fast, now. for you hsv-
emit got so seconds to livei"
Look here, colonel" he protested.
but only mildly, 1T was mistake any
body might have made. and, beln 70
wasn't hurt, don't see why We should
kick up Danl Fact Is, colonel
Go on! Go on You have 70 seconds
| more" | said as he halted.
Wall, the fact Of II is I'm goin 10
quit. / never was out with one Of So
newspaper men before, and dairy II
| hide II ever want to be agsfn. Tho
boys said ye was a crank and kicker
and that I'd soon cut my Job. but y8
talked smooth and give orders falr
| plenty OF grub, and | was within TO
take chances. Howgumever
Horsepower what, you nearsight-
ed, squint eyed, dunderheadea pot hum
ter?"
"Howsumeyer, colonel, the boys was
right, and. bein can't do nuthin to
please We. though have tried my best.
guess I'll resign, and ye kin run the
circus yerself"
Next day we started the outfit for
home. Potts might have reconsidered
his resignation, but I wouldn't give
| him a chance. / couldn't stay up there
alone. but IL was death 10 stay with