Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-07
DAILY SHORT STORY
The Newcomer at PickvilIe.
[Original.1

Pickville Since the place has emerged
from the grub Camp into the butterfly
Gown there have been butthree wom-
en- within its corporate limits. and they
all married. Now comes n young wom-
an styling herself Molly Grifton and
sets up a small store. Mining supply
dealers and gamblers are among the
eligible men in Pickville, besides n
young man, Arthur Huggins. in con-
sumption, who came to save his life
and to save souls, though he has nei-
Their church nor salary. The day after
Molly Grifton's appearance every bach
elor in the town was agog as to who
would draw the prize. for it was not
for n moment supposed that any good
looking young woman would remain
long in such community without be-
ing appropriated. The question was
sifted like an algebraic problem. The
parson was not considered ut all; the
mine owners had wives in the east; the
merchants were none of them pro-
ficient with the gun; the miners were
too busy to look after their interests.
This left the gamblers to fight it out
among themselves.
The most dreaded among the gam
blers was Fox Armstrong. and when
he was observed to stop at Molly Grif-
toms store and buy up the first edition
of the stock, cleaning out the shelves
entirely, the rest of the profession con-
Guided TO keep Mt safe distance. But
one man in Piclville had the audacity
to buck against Fox Armstrong, and
he was u young prospector named
Stephen Bartlett. stephen was the
only man in town who seemed TO find
favor with the lady, and, though he
had not the means of wooing by trade.
as in the case of Armstrong, the scale
was turned in his favor by his manly
and honest bearing. his cheerful dispo-
sitiOn and certain ingenious traits
which rendered him attractive to wo-
men. He was warned by his friends
that as lie valued his life he should
refrain from any attention to Miss
Molly.
AS Il firecracker has been known to
kindle city, so Il meek and lowly man
started the shooting that was bound
in time to take place on account of
Molly Griiton. Fox Armstrong one
night ceased dealing faro at IL 80
o'clock on account of an indispoSitiOn,
concluding that he would go to his
room and turn in for the night early.
Passing Molly Grifton's store he was
surprised, though all was dark within,
to see the door standing ajar. Think
ing that some one might be appropri-
ating Molly's belongings and that he
might win credit with her by captur-
ing the thief, he sidled up to the door
and listened. Low voices came from
the room behind the store where Molly
lived. the one a woman's, the other 4
mans. Armstrong at once assumed
that his rival Bartlett was stealing a
march upon him and got his revolver
in position to handle readily ut the
exit of the intruder upon what he COIL
sidered or wished to consider his own
domain. Presently the two inside adj
vanced to the shop.
Come" said the girl; take it. You
are paining me by refusing"
"Do you suppose l could live q mo-
ment among these men il they knew
you were furnishing me with money!"
'But they don't know it."
every well; will take this. Next
week 1 am going TO work with pick
and shovel"
you will do no such thing"
There was the sound of Il kiss, and
the man stepped into the street.
Great heavens. 1t was the parson!
Unconscious of being observation
Armstrong occupied n position where
he could not be seen-Arthur Higgins
wendell his way toward his room.
Armstrong followed him and when in
the center of bridge across the gulch
accosted him:
You white livered hypocrite"- he
was beginning, but paused. A step
was heard on the far end of the bridge.
and In a few moments Stephen Bart
lett came up and was recognized I'M
der the starlight.
PEARSON Higgins and Fox Arm
strong together here at this time of
night What does it mean?"
"That he has been skulking with
Molly Grifton, which 1 don't permit"
HE has as good a right as you any
way" said Stephen.
you give me great joy in taking his
part" sneered Armstrong. Il can't
kill a man with woman's soul in
him, but can take care off,
The words were never finished. Had
he not had something of the contempt
for Bartlett that he had for the par
son he would have fired first and
talked afterward. Stephen knew full
well that firing, and quick firing, was
essential or he would be n dead man.
Armstrong dropped.
Molly Grifton heard the shot and.
fearing that Higgins might have been
waylaid, rushed upon the bridge.
"Stepheni Arthur What does it
mean?"
''That dog" said Stephen, assumes
sole right to you. / have maintained
that Parson Higgins or any man you
choose has an equal right"
"This is all my fault" cried Hug
gins bitterly as Molly bent over the
,,-o,,n,1od .ror,bIar 70 N cSiSt hin, arNTol-