The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-03-04

That's done, then. But no apollo
giles en- make gent out OF ye, an !
don't drink 'cept with gents. So clear
out. Get scramble on yerself, an
keep yer 'ands up"
I.umpy, his hands held rigldly heav-
anward, rose and passed out into the
street. When he had disappeared, the
Texan laid the two rcvolyers on the
table, one on either side of the dog.
Then he addressed the company;
THAT dawg stays right there, ye
betl Name yer pizen, gents"
outside Lumpy relieved his feelings
by some gut,srp4 e>a-s and set out for
the worst G1-E-s sole in town,
where he knew he could find the as
sistancc he wished. There he held a
whispered conversation with Scratch
es, burly desperate whose face had
been slashcd by bowie. His last
words TO this rutiian We're:
"Take the Kid with We. lie aln't so
scary to look at as ye be-"
In the saloon the chair vacated by
Lumpy had remained empty. The
crowd had a superstition against that
seat, but as IL was the only empty
chair In the room IL was natural that
when two late corners entered one
should seat himself there, while the
other half leaned. half sat On the Ia
bic beside IL. one OF these two was
Scratches: the other. young, rather
winsomc faced man. was the Kid.
Bunts, now jovially drunk, but In
possession Of all his faculties. demand
ed that they drink his health and that
OF Ricketts,. lie waved his hand In IN
PRODUCTION toward the pup, which now
showed signs OF excess. for he swayeu
a little, and his red eyes blinked heav-
fly.
lie is cute one" said the Kid
pleasantly.
Scratches grinned evllly and put out
his hand to pat the pup. Ricketts, show
ed his appreciation by a snort aud a
snap that brought howl OF pain from
Scratches
Playful, amt heG" Bunts exclaimed
and reared with laughter Scratches
scowled. but controlled himself after n
moment anu urea 10 Amllt
But the Kid speedily ingratlated him
self with both Bunts and Ricketts,. pat.
ting the dog without hurt. TO his mas
tcr's delight
Interest I'm the stranger was now
waning. Some Of the men left the sa-
loon and In the course Of half an hour
Scratches was able TO possess himself
Of ihc third chair. Al this iuncture
the KID Insisted that the stranger
should drink az his expense.
"rhree-' he called to the harkeope-.
In a moment the drinks were ON the
table The Kid seized one glass and
passed Il TO Bunts.
There's yer liquor!' he cried cor.
daily. Drink hearty"
But the devoted hunts could not for
get his duty TO Ricketts,. lie delayed n
moment 20 set his glass before the dog.
Take a pull. Ricketts," he urged.
The swaying dog picked up his ears
az the smell Of the spirits and dropped
his nose into the glass. His greedy
tongue darted once Into the whisky
and was withdrawn into his mouth,
once aud only ouco-that taste was
enough. ricketts, stopped sway.nE and
his ewes opened wide. Then he turned
and stared rcproachfully at Bunts and
whlncd.
NOW. that's the most curls thing
ever secdr' the Texan exclaimed.
"Neyer knew I'm TO turn up Us nose
before at good liquor He's sick, that's
what"
There was a minutes silence, while
Bunts sat eying the dog solicitously.
Then suddenly an idea came TO him.
and he laughed pleasantly. The next
Instant his hands fell ON the reyolycrs,
and In a trlce both men were covered.
Put up yer 'ands!" he cried for the
second time that night.
The crowd. startled, looked up and
saw Scratches and the Kid, their hands
aloft, staring fearfully into the deadly
tubes. Then Bunts, now almost sober
under the stimulus Of his idea. ad-
dressed the two:
"Ye're nice pair Of galoots! strolled
in ere with the plan Of dosin' me with
knockout drops an thch Whlhlh OUT
with me an then goln' through me!
Eh2 Huh! Wen. guess yed a work
ed ii II II hadn't been for ricketts,, bless
is little heart! didn't tumble TO yer
skin game. an ia "a swallowed yer
dope. but Ricketts, amt no such fool
One taste Of them knockout drops was
enough fer i'm"
But Scratches had regalned his nerve
and now burst forth in protestations.
Its lie. There amt no knockout
drops in that whisky Of yers. ] swear
IT,"
"Be ye suref' questioned Bunts sar-
castlcally.
! ITS gospel truth I'm tellln' ye."
"Wcil," Bunts retorted, "Ill believe
the dawg quicker N I'll believe any
ugly faced horse thief sech as ye be.