Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-10-29

zone 10 nClp nm Inc luke cOnlu
have pulled him up a year ago If he
had been willing to deny himself lit
tie, and so with all of you. You all do
just what pleases you regardless of any
other, aud so you help one another
down.
could not find anything Just then to
say, though afterward many things
came to me. For though his voice was
quiet and low, his eyes were glowing
and his face was alight with the fire
that burned within, and felt like one
convicted Of a crime. This was GER
tainly now doctrine for the west. an
uncomfortable doctrine TO practice, in
terfering seriously with personal lib
criy, but, in the Pilots way of viewing
things, difficult to escape. There would
be no end TO ones responsibility. I
refused to think 1t out.
Within fortnight we were think
ing it out with some intcntness. The
Noble Seven were to have great
"blowout" at the Hill brothers ranch.
The Duke had got home from his
southern trip little more weary look
ing and little more cynical In his
smile. The "blowout" was to be held
on permit sunday, the alternate to the
preaching Sunday, which was CON
cession to the Pilot, secured chiefly
through the influence of Hi and his
baseball nine II was something to
have created the situation involved in
the distinction between prea ching and
permit Sundays. HI put it rather
graphically. The devil takes his
innn's one Sunday and the Pilot the
next" adding emphatically, He haint
done much scorin' yit, but my moneys
on the Pilot, you betw Bill was moro
cautious and preferred to wait develop
ments. And developments were rapid.
The Hill brothers meet was unusu-
ally successful from a social point of
view. Several permits had been requi-
sitioned, and whisky and beer abound
ed. Races all day and poker all night
and drinks of various brews both day
and night, with varying impromptu
diversions, such as shooting the horns
off wandering steers. were the social
amenities INDUCED in by the Noble
Company. ON Monday evening | rode
out TO the ranch urged Ivy Moore, who
was anxious that some one should
look after Bruce.
Il don't belong to them" he said;
ing"
Nor did they They were sitting at
tea and welcomed me with a shout.
Hello, old domino" yelled Bruce.
"Wherc's your prea cher frieud:"
"Where YOU ought to be if you could
get there-at home" replied, nettled
at mis- 'nsolent tone.
Strike one" called out Hi enthusi-
astically. not approving Bruce's atti-
! tudc toward his friend, the Pilot.
Don't be so cute said BRUCE after
the laugh had passed. but have a
drink"
He was flushed and very shaky and
very noisy. The Duke, at the head of
the table looked little harder than
usual. but. though pale, was quite
steady. The others were all more or
less nerve broken. and about the room
We're the signs of wild night. A
! bench was upset, while broken bottles
and crockery lay strewn about over a
floor rocking with filth. The disgust
on my face called forth an apology
from the younger Hill, who was serv-
ing up ham and eggs as best he could
to ,he men lounging about the table.
It's my houScmaid's afternoon out"
lie explained gravcly.
Gone for a walk in the park" added
another.
Hope Mr.. Conner will pardon the
offensive manner.
Don't mind him." said Hi under his
breath. The blue devils are runnin'
him down"
This became more evident as the
evening went on. From hilIrity Bruce
passed to sullen ferocity, with spasms
of nervous terror. His attempts TO
roothe him finally drove him mad and
he drew his revolver declaring he
could look after himself, in proof Of
which he began to shoot out the lights.
The men scrambled into safe corners,
ali but the Duke. who stood quietly
by watching Bruce shoot. Then say
ing, Let me have a try, Bruce he
reached across and caught his hand.
"No you don't said Bruce strus-
CLING. NO man gets my gun"
He tore madly at the gripping hand
with both of his, but in vain, calling
out with frightful oaths:
Let 90, let go. III kill you, III kill
you"
With a furious effort ne hurled him
self back from the table. dragging the
Duke partly across. There were : Cash
and report and Bruce collapsed. the
Duke still gripping him. When they
lifted him up he was found to have an
ugly wound in his arm, the bullet hav-
ing passed through the tieshy part
bound it up as best | could and tried
to persuade him to 60 to bed. But he
would go home. Nothing could stop
him. Finally the Duke agreed TO 60
with him, and OFF they set Bruce loudly
protesting that he could get home alone
and did not want any one.
Ii was dismal break up to the meet
and we all went home feeling rather
sick. SO that it gave me no pleasure
To find Moore waiting in my shack for
my report of Bruce. II was quite vain
for me to make light of the accident
10 him. His eyes were wide open with
anxious fear when had done.
you needn't tell me not to be anx