The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-16

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ef he did"
Jude was alludin' to the dollars among
US. prob1y," explained Mr.. Push, quiet
like. He lows ez any road-agen would
get big haul eff he did happen 20 waltz in
an bail US up today
'Dollars!" cried Deacon Butt, his hand
going up smart to his breast pocket.
What dollars?"
'Ah. l see you're treasurer this time.
Deacon" laughed the Sheriff. noting the
sudden movement. mo offence, of course,
On'y Jude guessed one or other of you'd
be carrying weight. Ez men of sense an
experience. we all know tibet votes an
dollars pear to sorter draw one another,
somehow. Somebody's hands must bring
'em together. hey? Jude didn't mean
any nastiness. I'll answer for It, No, no;
we're all agreed business is business: an
I'm not denying him an me mayn't be
well primed with kopecks ourselves.
| Truth. I'd ruther myself that Black Jack
tackled us some other day, if he ever does
| at all!''
Hans Drecht snorted in scorn at these
sentiments. Here was a chance of taking
rise out of his opponent
Mighty plucky words, them-for
| Sheriff." he growled. "A man sworn to
uphold the laws of his country an perfect
| the lives an property of its peaceful citi-
| LenS. Ou1. IL makes me Urea 10 near II!
| Now. when I'm elected Sheriff.
'-When,' repeated Mr.. Push, serene as
lamb. Wal l dunno. You amt Sher-
1 if yet. t all events. Let the best man
| win, say /. Ell I'm to be licked l guess
I'll take my Iekin' like a man-standin'
| up
When I'm elected Sheriff." Hans
| went on. not needing the interruption. 81
reckon won't start in to pick an choose
days with no sech low-down scum ez
Black Jack. Thishyer's no time for pus'-
Unanimous fears. with the cannons of the
foreign foe boonlin at our gates
ITO howlin' blazes with your cannons,"
shouted Jude. in a tearing rage. 1--WE
don't ask for no speeches now. You'd
best keep all that blame slush to fire of
at the conference. I'm thinkin'."
But there was no holding in Hans now;
he'd got fair blown out SO that he must
either rant or burst.
LET Black Jack come along how an
wherever he likes. he'll find me thar to
take him for frozen certainty. First
thing. when I get into office, I'll fit out
regular expedition to foller an arrest him.
dead or alive"
"You!'' rasped the Sheriff why
twas you daresn't even volunteer when /
led posse after tibet hossthief. on'y last
fall?"
AN why didn't why didn't -"
suffered Hans, red in the face. you,
ez engineered the silly consarn-you ask
me why? b gosh. Listen hyre, an I'll
soon tell you whyi''
But he never did; for before you could
have said Knife a man on a sorrel mare
jumped out from the trees edging the
road. a reviewer in each of his fists.
Pull up thar" he roared out. AN
throw up your hands, Sharp, nowi''
The fellows Grape mask put a name on I
him; and they all knew it would mean
somebody's funeral if they tried to mon
key with Black Jack. Four pairs of arms
went straight up together. like soldiers
drilling. and hung there. The fifth pair
would have done the same IL the owner of
them. Hans Drecht. hadn't covered hack
on his seat lust as the nags were refined
in: the sudden stop and jerk. threw MIN
clean off his perch. so that he toppled |
over the tall board on to the track. In |
jiffy he'd scuttled for shelter underneath |
the wheels. Black Jack covered him
with one of his weapons.
"Out you skip. rot yer," he yelled. saw
agelike. I'VE want no durne acrobats |
hyerl Ont you come. or I'll dose you with |
cold leadl"
Hans erawied out into the open, his face I
white as milk. his teeth chattering like |
Uniting needles.
Don't shoot. mister" he sniveled. half /
dead with sheer funk. Take every dollar
I've got Hyer 'tis-down to my last cent.
Point thet pistol off'n my head. Il give
you best; an thar's nary gun on me-
You amt heeled, hey?" the agent
chuckled. "Jes' as well for you you amt!
Set the silver down thar whar you stan
groyellin'--so. Now, mebbe you'll lend
hand TO unload your friends. Climb up an
run through them systematic for me. First.
feel for shootin irons"
Hans did as he was ordered. From each
mans hip pocket he lugged "45, which
he tossed oversize into the road; then
he began to search them for cash, He
started with Jude Willis. cleaning him out
and passing on to Deacon Butt, who had
been twisting his face into all manner OF
shapes, screwirg up his eyes, mumb!ing
and gruntlng like a stuffe5 hog.
What's 1t he wants. matey?" asked
Black Jack. seeing the whole pantomime.
Say, what is it 2"
Il think-he-he'd ruther I didn't 20
through his breast pocket
"Harkee TO me pard. I'm trustin' in
you to he a credit to my teachin' an
onless you git a move on you an nose
out every doIgarned cent you'll be fgur
in at the head of your own obsequies be-
fore you know you're dead meatl"
That was enough for Hans Drecht.
of his Chairman OF Committee, he pulled
cut a leather wallet, bulging over with
greenbacks. Now, for a candidate TO aid
and abet in the footing of his own party
treasure chest-not TO buy votes, that Is,
but simply at the bidding and for the ben ,,
eft of a backguard highwayman-Tas just /,
about the shadiest thing he could stoop to.
By this time Hans supporters were thor ,
oughly Disguised with their champion. :
They took no stock in circumstances, made
no allowances, could see no excuse what ,
ever-for him.
When Hans had got 10 this low level ,,
in the eyes Of his committeeman. M. Sher-
III Bush seemed to wake up to what was
happening. Whether It was he'd bsen :
struck dazen with the unexpectedrtss of it e.,
all iii then, or whether he perhaps con- : !
Guided he was next on the schedule for
plandering. l won't pretend to say Any J
rate, he pulled his wits together and gave !
tongue.
'Losh, but I think this hyer Jackets
lasted long enough" he shouted. arfuI Z
mad. Are five men to be buildozed an 2
held up by one blame road-agent? BY I
gum, no. Eff some folks got 10 more back
spine n they need, it sha'n't be said jog D
hua X Push ever lick Spilled an knuck- D
led under to a tarnation thief"
shut off your jaw-tackle, right thar" g
Black Jack yelped back. I've nc. time TO n
waste iistenin' to chin -wag now. Besides"
ira he sduinted at the revolvers by tte n
,adside, besides. ! reckon / bold all the c
tricks in my own hand" v
mot much-you don't" the she-.n I
snapped out. c
4.