Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-03-21
a little, and his red eyes blinked heav-

lily.
"He is q cute one," said the Kid
pleasantly.
Scratches grinned evilly and put out
his hand to pat the pup. Ricketts, show
ed his appreciation by snort and
snap that brought howl Of pain from
Scratches.
playful, amt he" Bunts exclaimed
and roared with laughter. Scratches
scowled, but controlled himself after
moment and tried to smile.
But the Kid speedily ingratiated him
self with both Bunts and Ricketts,, pat
ting the dog without hurt, to his mas
ter's delight.
Interest in 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 the third chair. At this juncture
the Kid insisted that the stranger
should drink at his expense.
"Three! he called to the barkeeper.
In a moment the drinks were on the
table. The Kid seized one glass and
passed it to Bunts.
There's yer liquor" he cried cor
daily. Drink hearty"
But the devoted Bunts could not for
get his duty to Rickets. He delayed a
moment to set his glass before the dog.
''Take pull, Ricketts," he urged.
The swaying dog picked up his ears
at 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and was withdrawn into his mouth.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 and only once--that taste was
enough. Ricketts, stopped swaying, and
his eyes opened wide. Then he turned
and stared reproachfuily at Bunts and
whined.
"Now, that's the most culi's thing
ever seedp' the Texan exclaimed.
Never knew i'm to turn up is nose
before at good liquor. He's sick, that's
what"
There was q minutes silence, while
Bunts sat eying the dog solicitously.
Then suddenly an idea came 10 him.
and he laughed pleasantly. The next
instant his hands fell on the revolvers,
and in q trice both men were covered.
"Put up yer 'ands!" he criet 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:
"Yere nice pair Of galoots! Strolled
in ere with the plan Of dosin' me with
Knockout drops an then walkin' out
with ME an then goin' through me!
Eh? Huh! Well. guess ye'd a work.
ed it If it hadn't been for Ricketts,. bless
'is little heart! l didn't tumble to yer
skin game. an I'd a. swallowed. yer
dope, but Ricketts, amt no such fool!
One taste Of them knockout drops was
enough fer i'm"
But Scratches had regained his nerve
and now burst forth In protestations.
Its lie! There amt no knockout
drops in that whisky Of yers. ] swear
It,"
"Be We sure?" questioned Bunts sar
castically.
"It's gospel truth I'm tellin' ye."
"Well," Bunts retorted, "Ill believe
the dawg quicker n I'll believe any
ugly faced horse thief sech as ye be.
But I'll give ye chance 20 prove yer
words, blast ye! Take yer right and
down slow to this glass Of mine an
drink It."
Then as Scratches made no move
ment to obey he exclaimed sharply;
-"Do as I say or I'll put a bullet
through ye! Drink that whisky. an If
ye spill drop I'll bore ye. Hurry"
Scratches face grew white. but he
had no choice. Slowly he lowered one
hand; more slowly still he raised the
glass to his lips. There once again he
hesitated until Bunts' command came
harshly:
"Drinkw
At one gulp Scratches swallowed the
draft.
"Now let me CO." he said meekly.
"Ye see it amt hurt me none"
"Ye jist sit right there an keep yer
'ands up, an that other sneakin' little
cherub too Why, gents" he contin-
ued to the crowd, 1T was that there
brat chucked the drops in my whisky.
He'll be nice one when he gets 'is
growth, I don't think! But now we'll
list watch that there hyena that drunk
what my hairless pup turned up is
| nose at"
There was silence. The crowd had
drawn close, waiting expectant for the
Issue. Scratches sat motionless, his
hands aloft, blinking at the revolver.
Little by little his eyes blinked oftener
and the lids lay shut longer. A sudden
trembling seized the man, and his arms
shook like aspens. A few seconds more
and the wretched creature began sway
ing in his place. To and fro he swung
dizzily; then at last his form collapsed.
He fell heavily to the floor and lay
there inert, unconscious.
A hum of approval greeted the event.
Ricketts, barked joyfully. Bunts ad-
dressed the Kid:
"Now, ye miserble infant ye en-
drag off that pardner Of yers! Jist
drag i'm outside, an be quick about 1t.
Yell be hanged some day, all right.
Drag i'm out. He'll come round some
time, s'pose- luck"
When the Kid, unassisted, had drag
ged his companion across the saloon
and out Of the door. Bunts again ad-
dressed the crowd:
."Strikes me ye're got some curfs
II. L., R11f ~ i0xQfa