Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-01-15
own team over. came back for them.

1hc SlOEN Oh HIS HSDnCN > OSdln tNu
charged it to the agent. The popu-
lace agreed with him TO a man. Old
Jones insisted the agent should
likewise suffer death. Public senti-
ment rushed 10 the same conclu-
sion. Every man in the lineup dis
trict who heard of the matter at
once advised Jones 10 80 back and
kill the miserable agent or, if that
scheme did not suit, to hire some
one who would. Never was public
sentiment so uniform in a matter
before. 1t was beautiful.
Hire some one to GO back. Kill
the agentp This struck Old Jones,
who had strong commercial in
stincts, as good thing. He in
quired for some one who would I'M
dertake the enterprise. He did not
think it should cost much. 1T is
dead easy TO do" he said. Jest
ride calmly to the agency and beef
him and then ride away. That
oughtn't to cost no fortune" And
he was willing TO give a "hoss and
outfit" and $500.
''I'll go YOU" said a bad looking
gentleman called Curly Bill.
Curly Bill was certainly a very
bad man, as any one might see bv
examining his six shooter. He had
filed away the sights as superfiuous
TO one so sure and keen and had
taken out the trigger, trusting to
explode his interesting weapon By
the simple process of letting the
hammer fall from his thumb. These
changes in the ground plan of
Colts "A always bespeak bad man
the wide west over. and such was
Curly Bill, the parsonage who want
ed TO hire out to kill the agent
Preliminaries were arranged. and
the horse and outfit were turned
over, in company with 500 of tie
$500. and Curly Bill rode away on
his long pull for the Ute agency.
Six weeks and their happenings
were added to history. and 80 far
nothing foated back from Curry
Bill. One afternoon he rode again
into the camp in the Guuui 1
country. The public crowded about
to learn of his success. tar'1 biz
got out of the saddle and ,icrpci
into a saloon. The public followed
and at his request took drink with
him. At last Old Jones put the
question:
did you get him, Curly?"
"No," said Curly Bill.
"Why not ?"
"Well," said Curly Bill. with an
smiable drawl, "I'll tell YOU what's
the matter You see, the cuss offer
ed me $1,000 to come back and
down you"
There was a profound silence.
Old Jones seemed thoughtful and
cast down, and the public walled.
At last Old Jones put another per-
tinent inquiry:
well, whatever do YOU allow
you'll do about il"
"Whateverll you do about ftp"
said Curly Bill. "Win YOU raise
him ?"
"S'pose 1 don't raise him ?" said
Old Jones. "S'pose | don't even
call him? ?" And an ugly glare be-
gan to shine in his watery gray ewes.
albeit his voice was low and his face
calm.
"Well," said Curly Bill, with vast
nonchalance, Gin that event reck-
on I'll have to go him"
The public took a deep breath a.
this announcement, and Old Jones
seemed plunged in thought again.
At last he found his voice.
oil think this we're matter over,
Bill, and l reckon on fixin' w
somethin' so YOU wont complains
none of me. You be yere and FL
come back in an hour"
Then Old Jones proceeded
straight to his wagons, got his VIM
chester and, coming in the back
door of the saloon wherein Curly
Bill was refreshing himself after
the campaign, blew that celebrated
persons head off without word.
Old Jones then gave himself up
to the citizens committee and de-
manded trial. 1t was had at once.
Every man in the camp knew of the
killing and its entire history. They
all approved it too. II was esteem
ed, however, not a proper thing To
allow the plot to kill the agent to 90
abroad to the world. The account
might in unskillful hands become
garbled and hurt the camps repu-
tation. So when Old Jones was ac-
quilted, which denouement was rap
id in its coming, the verdict read
thus:
Testified KILN on account of
Curly Bill insultin' of Old Jones
wife"
This is a true tale of the west.
The Authoress and the Artist.
A good story is told of Moreli.
ltalys famous painter, which will
bear repetition. An authoress Of
note was in Maple and very much
desired to know him, but could find
no one to act as Intermediary. So
at last she took her couraoc i'm bor