El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-14
JA1IHAWKERS
How n Traveller Fell Into Their
Clutches and the Desperate IF
fort He Made For His Life. ::

Many years since | took fancy to
travel far beyond the region of rail-.
roads and steamboats, into one of the
new territories of the southwest. My
object was to see what could be done
OH a large scale in the way of trade
Ii was toward the close of a fine
spring day that | ride up to the great
barnIise tavern of one of those spread
out. pine board towns of the far west
which grow up SO rapidly in the path
of emigration. \ large group of rude
looking men stood on the steps and
seemed to be carefully criticisinS me
and comparing notes as | dismounted.
/ was conscious of nothing peculiar
about me. except TIVE generally smart
and .'natty" appearance of myself and
animal. The latter was a splendid
roadster that l had purchased in st.
Louis. in tine condition, and with an
action that would excite the admira-
ton of any horse fancier. l was habit
slouched hat. and completed by great
top boots. My saddle and bride were
half military in their shape and trim
mings. and l had n valise and blanket
roll strapped on behind. On the
tHluh dfluOSt any oDScI cT
would have set Inc down for some
thing more than a mere private citi-
zen travelling on his own business.
/ left my horse in care OF the first
man whom found willing to take
him and. ordering my supper. walked
about the uninviting barrOom and
finally took Il seat and began to read
q pamphlet that l had in my pocket.
While | was thus engaged a great
burly fellow came and stood in the
doorway and deliberately stared at me.
Good evening SIR" / said. II should
like TO make n few inquiries. il you
please. about the people here and
through the country, and''-
Not of me, you won't,' was his
rude rejoinder. and he was gone before
1 could ask an explanation.
/ was little nettled az such boorish-
ness. still rather amused than annoy
ed. | should probably have thought
no more of it but for more of the same
kind of treatment that l shortly ex-
perienced. \ shock headed girl called
me out to supper, and, finding table
abundantly spread with the substan-
tials of life, 1 was appeasing my hum
ger vigorously when a wild, wOlfiSh
face was thrust inside the door, and
two staring eyes surveyed me closely.
What's wanted?" L asked, rather
irritated by the repetition Of such an
attention. There was no answer. the
head was withdrawn, and within the
same minute | had the pleasure of see
Ing two more faces looking In upon me
through one of the windows.
what do those people mean?" 1
asked of the girl who waited on me.
She shook her head, but there was
m expression on her face that in
formed me that she did know and
that she pitied me- l was beginning
70 feel decidedly uncomfortable; my
appetite was spoiled before it was half
appcased, and l resolved on the spot
to continue my journey that night
rather than remain in such an inhOs-
pitable place.
i rose from my chair and put down
three silver dollars on the table.
That's for my supper and the
horses feed l said to the girl, "and
you may keep the rest yourself. Now,
please tell them to bring the horse
around right off, for 1 must be gone"
l shall never forget the look Of pain
ment by the face of that rude, homely
girl
They won't give you the horse" she
said shortly.
Wont give me my own horseY
echoed And why not. pray?"
Hush she said, laying her hand
Armly on my mouth. Don't be max
ing noise. If they should think you
suspected it. they would do it now"
Now. although / had no idea of the
full import of her startling words. yet
there was a hideOus suggestion in them
that fairly made my flesh creep.
For heavens axe tell me what you
meant I said family. II can't ac-
count for the actions of these people
What do they mean. and what am I
10 dog
II hoped L should see no more blood
she'd" the girl said, hooking sadly and
YEARLY into my face. Then she put
her hand on my shoulder and contin-
ued fercely: Its all your own fault
Why did you come here? Any fool in
Jefferson could have told you what
they'd do II you clme here"
What do they take me forT'
asked. u suspicion OF the truth break
ing upon me.
For just whatsyou are, of course"
she said coldly-'the marshal, come
to serve writs of arrest"
'They are mistaken; you are all mis-
taken" / protested Il am not a mar
shal, nor an officer of any kind. 1 am
merely a merchant travelling on my
own business"
She looked at first incredulous. but
/ continued to assure her of my real
character. and she, seeing my sincerity,
.oon halfeyed me