The Red Cloud chief., 1903-11-20

Burritt, that you carry II about your
person."
The other nodded. Look hereS
he said, 1--WE lived a rough sort of life
In a wild part of the world, for the last
twenty years. I've seen men shot
down by my side, in a refreshment
saloon, more than once, and more
than once had a narrow escape from
a similar fate myself. In f~act"--sink.
ing his voice-"I don't mind owning
to you that or one occasion | have
killed my man-in self-defense mind
he added, hastily, seeing the look of
horror which, for a moment, over
spread his friends face. I'm self.
Defense" he repeated. with emphasis.
land with the odds three to one.
Where should | have been then but
for my revolver? AS IL was. I cleared
the world OF at least n rufian."
And no one-I mean"
mo n thought any the worse Of
me, | assure you. Indeed, with a
faint smile, the first MIR. Burritt had
seen upon his face, lurking for a mo
ment round the corners of his mouth
~ wen had a testimonial presented
to mi by some of tho leading citizens
of the place, thanking me for Kidding
them of such a pestilent character as
Black Jake which was the name the
villain went by"
Mr.. Burritt heard him throughout
with establishment. mingled with a
faint sensation of horror. II seemed
hard to credit that the calm. middle
aged, well dressed man before him
his W contemporary-had passed
through such an experience as this:
and that the hand which he had shak-
en- with so much cordially had blood
upon il!
Thank Cod" he cried. that we
have nothing of this sort in England.
There is no shooting people down in
refreshment saloons in this country"
Perhaps not" was the caustic re-
ply; "but, for all that, it struck me.
on looking at the paper this morning,
that you had got our own share of
most of the crimes going-and plenty
of Black Jakes,' or their equivalents,
too" ,
Very likely" said Mr.. Burritt,
with eyes still fixed on the revolver.
"By.the-way, would you mind telling
me-is that the same weapon that you
used on that occasion you were speak
ing of mean when you shot the
MISUNDERSTANDING"
Meaning Black Jake? Yes, I'm
happy to say it is the very same"
MIR. Burritt felt that he somehow re-
garded the article in question with
less favor than ever.
IL suppose there isn't the least like
lihood of its going off unexpectedly"
he inquired, difldcntly.
mot unless l pull the trigger" was
the careless response, and I'm not
likely to do that, unless you attack
me first"
The joke-if joke it were-struck
Mr.. Burritt as being in singular bad
taste.
II must say" he repeated. with a
little p%erceptible irritation in his man
ner, that, in this instance, I don't see
the necessity for"
VERY likely, you don't" interrupt
ed the other, resuming his coat; but
IL you had been in the habit of carry
ing it about your person for as many
years as | have, and always been &C.
customed to sleep with it under your
pillow, you would think no more OF
carrying a revolver than you would
an umbrella or a watch"
This remark served to remind Mr..
Burritt of his original errand. He
therefore explained the reason of his
intrusion, and having been accom-.
modated by the loan of the desired ar
ticle. turned to leave the room again.
He hesitated for a moment on the
threshold and cast another glance
over his shoulder at his friend, who
was doing something to the cherished
weapon with a bit of oily rag. The
latter looked up and met it.
You don't really mean, Silas, that
you are afraid to trust yourself In my
company now that you know / carry a
revolver" he asked. with another sud.
den frown. You don't surely--?"
(To be c~ontinued.)