The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-03

gray eyes of a big COW puncher. the next
instant he was sent flying down the plat
form like a shell out of a thirteen-inch
gun. As he picked himself up and crawl
ed 10 his knees he looked up into the muz-
zles of the wickedest looking guns he had
ever seen, dreamed OF or read about and
back of them were steady hands and cruel
and determined eyes. He let one yell out
OF him which would have done credit to
Comanche. and then he wilted ike a
snow drift in a chinook. The brag and
buster Of indignant protest died In a
heart-breaking gasp. His eyes bulged out
in terror and he shook like an aspen. With
trembling hands he emptied his pockets OF
his money. threw his rings and watch on
the platform in front of the cowboys, plead
ing with suffering eioquence for mercy.
with Pistol Obligato.
The only reply was stern command to
dance and at the same time eight bull
lets plowed the platform most uncomfort-
ably near to the frightened drummer. He
jumped to his feet like a fash and danced
in frantic misery to the accompaniment OF
a fusillade OF bullets which seemed to tear
the very plank under his feet. They kept
him at II until the perspiration streamed
from every pore-until he was ready 10
drop from sheer exhaustion.
Then they concluded he would make
good climber. The telegraph pole was
but step away, and more dead than alive
cine. II was In vain that he protested.
begged and implored. Big fat tears poured
from his eyes and his knees played a tat
too OF AFFECT fear. 1t wouldn't work.
Climb, and climb id quick" said the
COW puncher who appeared TO be acting
as leader.
And put more life into it." interjected
another.
Wen push you along" said a third
with short laugh and suggestive twist
OF his gun.
I'VE run private graveyard" remarked
another
couple of shots that picked pieces OF
leather out OF his shoes gave the masher
a burst of energy, and up he went for
dear life. Every time he hesitated lit
tie chunk of cold lead would land under
his feet in monotonous but suggestive
regularity and put new life into his flag
ging efforts.
Up he went until he reached the cross
tree on which the wires are strung. and
there he pulled himself up and lay II
corpse.
They let him stay there for fifteen min
utes while they criticised his last act as
an artistic feat, asked him impertinent
questions about his past life and the
view from his present outlook. He didn't
reply; he had hardly strength enough to
breathe. Finally the leader shouted TO
him TO come down. He paid no atten-
ton to the demand. II was repeated, with
the same result Then there was a flash
and an insulator close TO his head flew
into fragments. He came down.
Revived by Jolts OF "Red-Eye."
when he touched the platform he faint
ed. simultaneously four big bottles OF
red-eye appeared and n quantity OF the
stun was forced down his mouth 1t was
like galvanic shock. He sprang to his
feet gasping and choking His mouth
and throat felt as n 1t had been gargied
with liquid fire. With a yell that shook
the stars In their settings he made a
break down the track towards Blackfoot.
and the cowboys put few bullets into
the ties behind him TO set the pace
He'll trouble you no more. miss" said
the big cowboy, turning to the little wo-
man who was the indirect cause Of the
fracas. She smiled back her half-fright-
ened thanks to her rescuers and then they
lined out for the nearest saloon to drink
her health in potations OF concentrated
I've.
High Jinks mt nm opera.
A few years ago opera company was
held up at Shelby and was the cause Of
giving the place national reputation. II
was wild hour while Il lasted All the
members of the company with the excep-
ton of the star were made to dance to the
tune OF popping six-shooters, whose bullets
then the crash OF breaking glass told Of
broken lamps and windows One male
member OF the company made an indignant
protest and was incontinentiy quieted by
being thrown through window. The sub
sequent proceedings Interested him no
more. The details of the outrage are too
fresh in the memory OF Standard readers
TO need repetition.
But Il Is not so generally known that this
incident aroused the railroad companies TO
immediate action for the protection OF
their passengers. The matter was forced
into the courts. the participants In the
hodup arrested and tried and before the
trouble was finished some OF them we're
severely punished and the others came to
the conclusion that II would be wise to
limit their sniusements. Since that time
no passengers have been molested. and
there is no danger OF any recurrence Of
similar outbreaks.
This reform movement Il the deathhlow
to Shelby Junction az a typical frontier
town of the old order. and its departing
glories thanks 70 the railroad. will soon
be a matter Of tradition
Murder In Cold Hood.
As might be expected under the CIR
cumstances, shelby has iis record Of cold
blooded murder In connection with the
most recent crime % this character a most
Z
blood run cold
About two months ago az Indian police
man from the reservation was shot down
In one Of the saloons near the station
Most conflicting stories were told AZ tho
| inquest, wh6n the matter was under In
| vcSiiaAtinn Some % the witnesses said
| that the policeman was drunk and quar-
| relsome snd that he was Shot down in
seif-dafense. According 20 one story. the
J killing was done by the harkeerer and
others say the fatal shot was Aired from
group Of drunken cow-pauchers The
I truth wi probably never b known Hut
| the CHASTITY part 81 the affair appears 10
+ be not disputed II Is said that the fataly
[ wounded man staggered across The saloon
/ aoar sna with bino5 spartlng IN death
| throhs from ugly astie holes fell IN heap
| before she bar. 20 close that the blood
/ stains can sim he seen on II IN silent
| aamnsng testimony 10 tina crime, spas
Tnoaic eunvuisive grasp. a blind ciutchinc
IT empty air by almost Hsrveless fingers
/ a tremulsus CULVER q he body. and the
I indian nzs dad