The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-05-19
A TENDERF0OT'S SCARE
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noted desperate named Billy the Kid.
He was a real character and had rec
ord more remarkable than anything
that could very well be conjured up in
fiction, though he came to the same
end as all desperadoes. Long after
Billy had been put out Of the way it
occurred one evening to Ben Hicks,
who was good deal Of a practical
joker, to play the part of the famous
bandit. Ben got number of hangers on
in the town where he lived. the scene
of some of the Kids most famous oper-
ations. men who would do almost any
thing for the drinks, to play the subor-
dinate characters to his leading man."
The coach had just come in; gentle
man from the east alighted and. after
supper lit cigar and strolled about
the town. One of the confederates ap-
preached him and entered into conver-
sation.
Like the country. Stranger"
like it? Oh. yes. SO far as / have
gone. l haven't seen much Of it as
yet"
"Fine country. but some Of the peo-
pie are mighty tough. See that feller
over there with his corduroys tucked
in his boots and his sombrero pulled
down over his eyes? Sulky lookin',
| amt he? Well, that's Billy the Kid"
rs that Billy the Kid?' exclaimed
the stranger. II thought he was
dead"
"Don't you believe it." replied the in
| formant. 'They reported him shot to
keep strangers from stayin' away from
here, but Billy's too quick and too dam
| gerous to be caught
''Good graciousv' said. the stranger.
paling.
Il tell you what you do said the in
formant IF you want to be sure of
bein' let alone, just treat him. that's
all. Billy is man of honor in some
ways and has never been known to
meddle with man he,has drank with"
The result Of this advice was, that the
stranger invited Billy to drink, who
said he never drank except in a crowd.
and the gang was included in the invi-
tation
The ruse worked Dwell that it was
kept up occasionally for months with
other arrivals, and in some cases tn,
stranger was induced by various de-
vices to keep the crowd supplied with
liquor for q whole evening. One day
young tenderfoot arrived and was
coached about Billy. as usual. He
looked at the sulky desperate with a
good deal of curiosity.
"Would he fight fair, you think?'
asked the tenderfoot.
Fair? Oh, yes; he would with q
gentleman like you, but ordinary peO-
pie he'd shoot in the back"
i "Well," said the tenderfoot, II think
I'll go in and get something to eat"
The steerer went to Billy and the
gang and reported .that the stranger
out Billy went up to him with a swag-
ger and asked if he was the man who
had said that he wouldn't fight fair.
The tenderfoot stated the matter
Alright. but his statement was not ac-
cepted, whereupon the stranger told
him that he would give him an oppor.
!, tunity to show that he could and would
he added. "but wouldn't mind trial
Of skill with long knives. The bowie
j would suit me, though it's rather q
short weapon"
BY this time the crowd had gathered
round.
} Look at his nose" said one, refer
ring to scar on the strangers right
nostril Reckon he's lhad fight will
!. q catamount."
Hes had erysipelasi' said another
; noticing that the strangers face was
quite covered with small marks.
; It was plain that the,tenderfoot was
3 bluffing. Billy concluded to meet bluff
!. with bluff and agreed to fight him theI
t and there with bowie knives. A rim.
was formed. the principals were
searched for concealed weapons. ant
when all was ready Billy. who didn'
care to go any further. said:
"See here, young 'feller. l don't wan
! to kill you. Set up the drinks and cal
it square"
1ue StTuuSeE Ecpiicu ny aulci
movement His knife glittered in TIN
air. and Billy's left ear lost its uppe
edge
Y "Whew! You air quick, amt you?
e said Billy. stupefied. Before he coul,
put himself in position the tenderfoot'
J. knife made slit in his right nostri
v BY this time Billy was frightened
d "Hold on, stranger" he said. Il figh
Il fair, and I expect you to fight fair.
!, want time to keep the blood from gel
= tim into my eyes,"
. The tenderfoot waited while Bill
. wiped the blood from his nose and eal
BY this time the Kid had become yer
angry Suddenly lunging. he mad
straight with his knife for the strar
gers throat His adversary drew ava
on his left foot and gave a quick tur
, with his wrist Billy's knife went u
In the air. described circle and. con
ing down, stuck in the ground thirt
3 feet away.