Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-11-04
PROFIT AND LOSS
Eoriglnall

4
trust two kinds O. people-them as is
honest and them as is at open war
with the rest o. the world Its the
| middle classes that beats you. There
was one on 'eIn-the outlaws, l mean
| that | didn't want around, for he'd
carried things too far and there was
price set on his head. That was
Dandy Jim. Dandy Jim's head was
| worth $1,000 to any man that could
| git the drop on him.
| was always a-figurin' how / could
| git him in a trap and git the reward.
There wasn't no use in tryin' to do the
| job in an ordinary way, for Jim was
as cool as a cucumber and slicker n a
| creased pole. I'd have to fix some
way o. gittin a pint ahead. What l
wanted was a confederate; some one 10
do the shootin' while did the foolin'
One day young woman come to my
place and wanted to work in my store.
tole her didn't want a woman, but
she said shed work for her board, and
after talkin' to my wife about 1t ! en-
gagged her. She could do most any
thing, but she was handiest about
keepin' my accounts. She must "a
been a schoolmarn. for one day she
took account o. stock and figured up
| and told me 'xactly what l was wo'th-
If l could git Dandy Jim l said
10 her. land turn him in dead or alive
I'd be wo'th $1,000
But they say Dandy Jims hard
man to take" she said
Maybe he'll come around here some
day and I'll try it."
How would you manage it;'
'Tf | know'd he was a-comin' I'd
post some un outside to cover him.
Then If he got the drop on me I'd sig
nal the outsider to shoot him.
what kind of n signal would you
give? He'd shoot you before you
could make any signs
well, he'd likely tell me to throw
up my hands, and that would be as
good a signal as any"
You're purity smart" she said. Il
didn't give you credit for so much
sense"
One day the gal tole me that the
stock was a-gittin' low, and If she was
me she'd sell the balance and go and
lay in a complete new outfit. She was
SIGH a good business woman that |
did whatever she said, and | got up a
sale" and cleaned out everything 1t
fetched just $1,000 in money, and with
this l concluded to put in the new out
fit. The day before went away rode
out TO collect a debt of $50. | had a
safe in which | KEEP the $1,000 on
hand and didn't worry about 1t, for
none o the outlaws could open it and 1t
was too heavy for 'em to carry away.
The gal tole me l might s well leave
her the combination in case any one
wanted any bills paid, but | was too
sharp for that Not that | doubted her
honesty. but that some O. the outlaws
might come along and force her to
open 1t.
Well. got my $50. and when l was
a-ridin' up to the store l see the gal
a-comin' excited-like to meet me.
whats up?' says l.
DANDY Jim's there waitin' for you"
'Humph," says l, What's he goin'
to do with me? Kill me?'
y
was dead, who'd open the safer
Il see.''
'You might do what you said you
would if he came"
What was thatT'
Have some one cover him when you
go in and when he tells you TO throw
up your hands shoot him"
There isn't man about the place"
Reckon I'll do. I'm as good a shot
as any man"
Well, l posted her at a winder with
a rife right where she could see the
man, then / walked into the house and
the room where Dandy Jim was asset
tin. 'Howdy, jim" l says. "Howdy,'
says he. Jim says l. there's $1,000
offered for you. Reckon l might as
well have IT as any one" How you
goin' to git it?' he answers. well,
there's two ways. One is dead and
the others alive-whichever you pre-
fer" Il prefer dead" says he, land
eonsiderin' I've got my hand on my
gun l thinks it's you that's dead. I'll
trouble you to throw up your hands"
"If / does that" 1 says, 1.-The drops
on you, seem l got a pal posted out
side the winder to shoot you as soon
| as | raise an arm. 1t is a signal"
you're mighty smart" he says. ITS
only takin' time by the forelock." says
l. 'Who have you got outsider" zone
o. the best shots in Arizona, though
nothin' but a woman" Yes, and
mighty smart If she is a woman"
"How do you know thatT" Because
she's my wife. sent her here to git
you to turn your stool. into cash. then
she sent for me to take it in" rs that
the gamer" asked. cold chill runnin'
| down my spine. you can find out"
he says, 'ff you'll throw up your
hands" an do it," says l. "and if
you're lyin you'll pay for the decep
| ton with your life"
With that l throwed up both hands