Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-10-03

| Lost Gulch mad become me CEN
ter OF a village drama. the WOO
ing and winning of the beautiful Miss
Selma barley.
Every one recalled the sad fate OF
Rufus Tyler who had once aspired to
the hand of Miss Selma, at least accord
ing to the notion OF Ben Rayburn. The
career OF Rufus Tyler as telegraph ope-
rator at the Denver G. Rio Grande sta
ton had been brought to sudden end,
and Rufus was taken to a hospital in
| Denver, where he was mending slowly.
| Shortly after Ben Rayburn and sew
eral cowboys came in from SUnyside
ranch and rode through the town. firing
right and left. They punctured signs,
killed several unfortunate CANNES, and
cat or two, and even shattered costly
plate glass windows.
This sort O. thing has got to be stop
ped" said young Sheriff Holt
| No sheriff had ever dared to say that
before. lf the sheriff was In earnest,
and tn Sc who knew him best said there
could be no doubt Of this, it meant
death to either Rayburn or himself.
About the time the newly elected sheriff
made this remark he began to call at
the school house to rehearse In a play
Miss barley was to give for charity.
The news soon reached the Jealous
Rayburn. Collecting five OF his cronies
among the cowboys on Sunnyside
ranch he rode into Lost Gulch early
one morning. He arrived early be-
cause he wanted plenty Of time and in
splration. That night he repeated his
antics OF few weeks before, terroriz-
ing the inhabitants-of Lost Gulch as
they had never been terrorized before.
The next morning in three distinct
public places the townsfolk gathered to
read this notice:
Whereas. Benjamin Rayburn. in de-
flance Of law, has persistently disturb
ed the peace and good order OF Lost
Gulch, he Is warned to stay out OF town
or take the consequences.
(signed) "sILAs HOLT"
This notice Immediately divided the
townsfolk into two factions Undoubt-
eddy the better class of citizens sided
with Holt. But there were others who
scornfully said "spite-work." and pre-
dicted the sudden demise OF the sheriff
LEI Ben Rayburn don't bowl up too
much Slas Holt won't stand ghost OF
show" said one. There amt no one
in these diggins can stand alongside o
Rayburn at artillery practice"
1t was the night OF the entertainment
at the school house. In the comedy
Sheriff Holt was to take the part OF an
officer OF the law.
The school house was thronged. The
rising. or. rather, the drawing, aside OF
the red cambria curtain was awaited
with interest At s o'clock sharp five
cowboys from Sunnyside ranch STROBE
into the school house. At their head
was Ben Rayburn. Instantly the nerves
OF every man, woman and child above
the age of seven years were on edge
THE reserved bench" occupied by
the cowboys was set against the wall
at the left facing the stage. The cow
boys therefore commanded not only a
view of the stage, but OF the entire
house. There was smile OF sneering
bravado on the lips and in the eyes OF
Ben Rayburn. Fearless, hungry for the
fight thrilled with the excitement he
loved above all things in life, he sat
and waited like some caturnine Meme
sis. Would he shoot Holt as he came
upon the stage. or would he give him
chance for his life? This question agi-
tated the spectators and they hoped for
a fair deal.
Suddenly the curtain was drawn aside
and Sheriff Holt stepped out to the foot
lights. In each hand he held revol-
yer. and these were crossed in front OF
him with their muzzles pointed up
ward. He was half turned toward the
place where Rayburn sat, and it was
clear to the dullest eye that in the
least fraction of second the revolt
vers would be brought into effective
action.
The sheriff had plainly taken the
first trick. While deathlike stiffness
prevailed the sheriff cleared his throat
and began to speak, perhaps a trihe
huskily.
You all read the notice that was
posted in town, and you know what IT
means. Ben Rayburn knows what II
means. but in spite of that notice he Is
here, and his gang is with him. am
alone
NO yu hain't nuther; not by Jug
full" interjected Colonel Darley, uncle
of Selma barley. as he rose In his place
and giared across the room at RayDurn.
1T makes no difference, continued
Holt alone or not alone what said
meant. While | am sherif peace mas
cot to be preserved in this community
and the laws respected. | warned Ray
burn to keen out Of town, and here
the sheriff's voice rose to a high ana
ouerulous pitch-"there amt agoin TO
be play tonight until him and his
gang is beyond the city limits.
IT'S all spitework," shouted voice
from the rear.
"Shet ep." commanded Colonel Oar
lev rising for further remarks ana
somewhat at loss what to say, ne
law has been bruk too often by TINS
bulldozin' outfit and they hey got TO
go"
Rayburn was still grinning, but there
was strange glitter in his eye.
"Ef you'n allow me I'd like a word 10
SQUARE this deal" he said.
Go ahead and be quick. Your time
Is short" said Colonel barley omin-
ously.
AN got to say is this Rayonrn
went on. "Ef ever done anything
that wasn't accordin' to law ! oushter
100, arestsd then and there,