The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-01-31

All ulcoHlloTldblc lilouSnt Just then
tingled through him. What if the posse
of angry citizens whom he knew to be
rapidly approaching ON the trail of
these men should suddenly appear over
the hill and open an indiscriminate
fire that would include the entertainer
as well as the audience? 4 bit of sand
stone rock jutted out from a blow ont
In the hill few steps away and he
saw Il chance to make distinction be-
tween speaker and hearers that might
be recognized by the coming avengers.
Drink, gentlemen, to our fortunate
meeting" he said, passing the bottle
around, land | will mount this natural
stage and give you a touch of the most
realistic and elegant poetry that ever
poet spun. My pardner wrote it ON
the wall of his cell with bit of crayon
that a schoolboy threw Mt him. His
Jailer was so taken with it that he
copied it and handed it around to his
friends to show what Il rare bird he
was boarding. | saw one of the comics
or the poem, recognized the handwrit-
ing, and for the first time in months
OF weary search learned where nv be-
loved friend was soiourning. That
night he raised the window and came
out into my arms. | can never forget
the noble words of his immortal verse.
viii now repeat it for your entertain
ment and enlightenment"
Drury mounted the rock and the cow
boys seated themselves in the grass,
Life is but game of cards
Which each one has to learn
Each shuiles, cuts and deals pack,
And each a trump doth turn
Some turn high card at the top.
While others turn a low;
Some hold hand quite full of trumps,
While others none can show
When, last of all. spade is turned
BY the hoary hand of time,
1t always closes up the game
In every land and cline
No matter what man may win
Or what may save,
The dreaded spade turns mp at last
And digs the players grave"
The boys had forgotten their peril
and they wanted another drink. The
man hunter, desiring to keep his pres
ent distance from them. swung the
flask over his head and tossed it to
them, saying. Here's to the man who
can catch and drink while the other
SMELLS"
His keenly practiced ears had caught
the almost imperceptihle sound of dis
tant horse hoofs beating the earth I'm
rhythmic measure. With dramatic ges-
ture and intonation of voice. he sought
to hold their attention little longer
"IIere's again to the fearless men
Who range the plain through storm and rain
With friendship true to the cause they hold
They guard their trust as men guard gold
One of the men, who was turning the
almost empty flask over his mouth.
paused an instant. Then he sprawled
out upon the grass with his ear press
ed closely to the ground. But the earth
was no longer needed to convey the
sounds of beating hoofs The air bore
them on like the rapid strokes of a
fevered heart upon the human chest.
Listen cried the elocutionist I'm
drawing a crowd. Thank goodness,
there is not much of our good whisky
left for them"
The men sprang up with an oath and
ran for their horses.
"Say, boys" Drury cried. Both men
turned to look into the muzzles of two
revolvers. This harmless good natur-
ed cuss amt quite ready yet to let that
good whisky get away. It's not polite
to leave friend in such hurry"
The hands of one of the men flew to
his belt
stop it or I'll drop you" came the
command REINFORCED with a revolver
whose unerring aim was between the
cowboys eyes.
The men stood as if dazed at the I'M
expected attitude.
up with your handsw came the
command. mo foolingr' Four hands
went up just as six horsemen appeared
at the top of the hill
The posse understood the situation
at once and the marshal recognized the
man hunter. AS they came down the
hill they gave a rousing cheer.
Mexican Fred, marshal of Engle-
wood. Kan. soon had the desperadoes
handcuffed and on their way back to
the town where they had provoked a
fight and killed a man.
The man hunter went on his way to
Ashland connecting new rhymes for
the next occasion.