The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-05-27

general circumstances, but more part1c-
ularly to the treachery and lack of
civic pride in the institutions Of the
camp displayed by Ike Stanton, whom
the committee had marked for its first
victim.
Even before the day when Ike
''broke loose" there had been q grow.
Ing feeling that the camp was too
strenuous in it's mode of life and that
frequent and unprovoked gun plays
were driving away all would-be in
vestors. Ike's behavior strengthened
this feeling. He had been too free IL
the use of his revolver even for Deep
Gulch Camp, where the etiquette or
this subject could scarcely be called
rigid. His performance on the day In
question had eliminated in forcing q
staid Eastern tourist. who had strayed
into the camp by some mischance, to
dance a cancan on top Of the bar,
while Ike, by numerous and we'll
aimed shots, tried to cut off the rim of
the silk hat which had excited his ire.
Ordinarily the camp would have looked
on this proceeding as simple and
harmless jest. But after the tourist
had shaken the dust Of the camp
from his feet it developed that he had
visited the camp with the intention of
buying a mine. Then the wrath Of the
camp bubbled over.
"Is that the way to treat man
looking to sink good money in our
played-out mines?" inquired Amos
Peterkin earnestly of'a grou1 Of indig-
uant citizens. Can we expect the
moneyed men of this great American
nation to hurry toward Deep Gulch
Mining Camp when the only induce
ments offered are to have the tops of
their silk hats shot off, and to be told
that If they don't dance quicker they
will lose the tops Of their ears? Is
that the way to appeal to the bankers
Of the rich and effete East:"
The sentiment of the impromptu
meeting seemed to be that any appeal
to wealthy investors which was meant
to be effective must be put in a diff
ferent form. Ike Stanton had struck q
blow at the prosperity Of the camp.
"And Ike being a citizen Of the camp
will be good man for the vigilants to
practice on" added Amos Peterkin.
"If things don't 60 smoothly it won't
be as bad as If we were beginning
with a stranger. If Ike's got any
proper pride in the camp, blamed If he
oughtn't to be proud of the opportun-
ity. 1t will give the rigilants chance
to get sort Of letter perfect, as that
actor chap used to say"
But Ike Stanton evidently was lack
ing in proper pride in the camp and
it's institutions. The situation didn't
seem to appeal to him in the least.
want me for blamed amateur
vigilance committee to practice on"
he fairly roared, bristling with right
eous wrath. "Going to use one Of the
oldest and most respected residents of
the camp when they had an extra tour
list, who wouldn't have been missed
and would have just filed the bill?
Wen, that's too much for me. I'm go
ing to resign as citizen Of this camp
and throw in my lot with them Big
Snake River fellows"
But when a gentleman has been Sc.
lected as proper material for practice
by even an amateur vigilance commit
tee it behooves him to change his place
of residence as quickly as may be. Ike
Stanton, overcome by his emotions at
having been selected for practice pur-
poses, dallied too long, attempting to
drown his sorrows and express his in
dignation. The result was that the
vigilance committee was organized and
on his trail when he was barely clear
Of the camp. Ike urged his horse to
greater speed. So did the vigilants.
Then a chance shot from a rife
brought down his horse. Ike knew the
game was up and philosophically seat
ed himself by the roadside to await
the arrival of the committee. He real
lied that further efforts to escape
would only mean a shower Of we'll
aimed bullets.
When the vigilants reached him the
list of his offenses, beginning with the
time he held up crowd in gambling
house and ending with the misplaced
gayety which had driven an investor
with money from the camp. was re-
cited. The unanimous sentiment of
the committee was that hanging was
the only thing which would square Ike
Stanton's account with the outraged
proprieties Of Deep Gulch Camp. Ike's
arms We're bound and he was led to a
nearby tree. There rope was pre-
pared. Up to this time Ike had watched
proceedings with languid contempt.
Now his scorn bubbleG over.
"I don't mind the boys stringing me
up," he said in deep disdain and look
ing straight at Amos Peterkin, but l
do object to having these last sad for
malities conducted under the leader
ship of blamed Eastern tenderfoot
mud turtle"
Had Ike simply sworn at Amos or
abused him in ordinary Western par
lance, that worthy would have passed
over his remarks in silent contempt.
A man about to be lynched has special
privileges of speech. But to be called
q blamed Eastern tenderfoot and tur-
tler That was enough to jar the SEN
sibilities of the best-natured leader OF
n vigilance committee. Amos drew bis
revolver.