The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-05-13
A CHANCE MEETING
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in cities to keep him in check, finally
concluded to give free rein to his am
bition to be tough and sent him to New
Mexico.
Several years passed, and, though
reports came that Johnny was making
himself at home where the revolver
was the only law. 1t did not appear
that he had ever attached himself to
any lawless gang. Indeed his princi-
pal amusement was in hunting out
desperadoes. as gentlemanly huntsmen
would choose the fox. and banding
them over to be dealt with by the
courts. As time went on Johnny's
mother found it more difficult to bear
the separation from her darling, and It
was finally arranged that he should
come home for a visit He came, much
to the surprise of his family in gen.
tlemanly suit of clothes.
Now, it happened that while Johnny
was at home the city was being also
visited by Gentleman Jim. one of those
burglars who leave facetious messages
at houses they enter. pinned to the
curtain or a cushion. The Martina,
with others, went to bed every night
terrified lest the house should be en-
tered and Mrs. Martin. who was in del
icate health. be frightened to death.
As to the burglary. their fears were
realized. Gentleman Jim sawed hole
in the back door. turned the key. shot
the bolt and entered Not finding any
thing of value on the lower floor. he
concluded to go up stairs and inquire
for the silver at the point of the pistol
He was putting his foot on the first
step of the staircase when he conclud-
ed to fash his lantern upward to see II
the way was clear. The bullseye
struck full In the face of Johnny Mar
tin leaning over a corner of the banis-
ter holding huge revolver pointed d.
rectly at the intruder.
Put yonr revolver on the stairs"
said Johnny in a whisper. Don't make
q noise"
Gentleman .ifm was desperate char
acter, and he held his weapon in his
right hand. but he knew that before he
could raise it the man up stairs could
make hole in his brain. There was
another reason for his action. which
was to appear later on. He placed his
revolver where he was ordered as soft
ly as if he feared to wake the baby.
| Johnny. still covering him. went part
way down stairs.
go into the dining ROOM" he ordered
| in the same low voice. When they
were both there. Johnny directed his
| visitor to light the gas. then to take on
| his mask The stranger hesitated,
| whereupon Johnny enforced the order
| by raising his revolver. aud the mask
was removed. Johnny started.
swell, now, wonder if this is mir
| acle," he muttered Jim Smalls, how
did you happen in this community?
thought had you safely landed in Jail
in New Mexico"
Broke loose"
"And to think that you should run up
against me in this fashion! What a
small world it is after all!'
"What are you going to do with me,
Johnny"
Don't speak so loud. wouldn't have
you waken my mother for ranch. l
fancy there is a large reward offered
for your capture, and as my trip to the
east is expensive l suppose l might az
well secure the amount. What do they
offer for you. Jim? Don't lie about 1t.
can telegraph and find out"
"Tts a big one this time-S5.O .OOO."
| "WheWl That is a big one. You've
been working this vicinity for some
time and have a lot of swag, I pre-
sumo"
"a hull cellar full of silver"
"Where is the cellar?"
snake it an object, and I'll tell"
"What ohiect|'
"Let me of.
Johnny sat down on the arm OF
| chair and rested his revolver on the
dining table. The weapon was heavy
and his arm was getting tired HI
| knew that his man was quick as Z
fash and. though unarmed. if given d
second of time would make dash.
"Jim." be said presently. If ii hadnt
been for me. that mob would have gO1
you"
$50 they would. Johnny"
"And it would have been all oveI
with you"
"Reckon I'd "a swung"
We'll. don't you think one good turI
deserves another: landed you saf'
In Jail in spite of the mob. The silve
you've got won't do you any good; bet
!, | ter tell me where it's hid"
"Do you want both the reward ant
/, the silver"
, 81 want the silver for the owners"
"Johnny, on one conditiOnPll go you
, I've got a good wife in Arizona. Sh
: was unlucky enough to marry me. AM
, I'd like to do suthin fur her. Now.
know you. Johnny. and what you sa
! | you'll do. Give her the reward. an
p I'll tell ALL"
, "Done. I'll do better than that
. Promise me to go back to her and liv
p | an honest life. and you can go SEQ
n free"
. The next morning Johnny Martir
o while stumbling about in cellar er
tered from an alley. came upon silve
teapot Calling the police. treasur
was found. which was distribute
!. among its owners.
A few years later Johnny visited th
Smalls i'm Arizona and found Gentle
:. man Jim earning good living froI
e the county hunting down desperat
characters.
Johnny's mother never knew that th
house had been entered. but his fathe
did. and when Johnny returned to Me-
Mexico it WAS with means to purchas
a. a ranch. 1t was not long before he b,
IN came prosperous rancher and occl
N pied several offices of great iInporta nc
In the territory.
EDWIN CLARK.