Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-09-12

FIRST TRICK.
ing right and left. They punctured
signs, killed several unfortunate ca
mines and a cat or two, and even shat
tered costly plate glass windows.
"This sort O. thing has got to be
stopped" said young Sheriff Holt.
No sheriff had ever dared to say that
before. If the sheriff was in earnest,
and those who knew him best said
there could be no doubt Of this, it
meant death to either Rayburn or him
self. About the time the newly elected
sheriff made this remark he began to
call at the schoOlhouse 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 OH Sunny
side ranch, he rode into Lost Gulch
early one morning. He arrived early
because he wanted plenty Of time and
inspiration. That night he repeated his
antics of few weeks before, terror
izing 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 def
ance of law. has persstently disturbed
the peace and good order of Lost Gulch,
he is warned to stay out of town or take
the consequences. 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.
"Ef Ben Rayburn don't bowl up too
much Silas Holt won't stand ghost
Of a show" said one. "There amt no
one in these diggin's can stand along.
side O. Rayburn at artillery practice"
1t was the night of the entertainment
at the schoolhouse. In the comedy
Sheriff Holt was to take the part of an
officer of the law.
The schoolhouse was thronged. The
rising, or, rather, the drawing aside, Of
the red cambria curtain was awaited
with interest. At o'clock sharp five
cowboys from Sunnyside ranch strobe
into the schoolhOuse. 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 cowboys
therefore commanded not only a. view
of the stage, but of the entire house.
There was smile Of sneering brayado
ON the lips and in the eyes of Ben Ray
burn. Fearless, hungry for the fight,
thrilled with the excitement he loved
above all things in life, he sat and
waited like some saturnine Nemesis.
Would he shoot Holt as he came upon
the stage or would he give him chance
for his life? This question agitated the
spectators, and they hoped for a fair
deal.
Suddenly the curtain was drawn
aside and Sheriff Holt stepped out to
the footlights. In each hand he held
revolver, and these were crossed in
front of him with their muzzles pointed
upward. He was half turned toward
the place where Rayburn sat, and 1t
was clear to the dullest eye that in the
least fraction of second the revolvers
could be brought into effective action.
The sheriff had plainly taken the
first trick. While deathlike stiffness
prevailed the sheriff cleared bis throat
and began to speak, perhaps q triae
huskily.
"You all read the notice that was
posted in town and you know what It
means. Ben Rayburn knows what 1t
means, but in spite of that notice he
is here and his gang Is with him.
am alone
mo you hain't, nuther, not by jug
full" interjected Colonel barley, uncle