The San Francisco call., 1904-08-07

URlNG one spring of the early
seventies Billy Knapp ran spe-
cies of road house or hotel at the
crossing Of she Deadwood and
Big horn trails through Custer Valley.
Travellers changing from one route to
the other frequently stopped there over
night He sold accommodations for
man and beast. comprising plenty Of
whisky and plenty Of hay. That was
The best any one could say of it. The
hotel was Of logs. two-storied. with
partitions OF sheeting to insure GER
tain privacy OF sight if not of sound
had three beds and number Of hunks,
and boasted of a woman cOok-one of
the first ia the Hills. Billy did not run
it long. He. was too restless.
The personnel Of the establishment
consisted Jf Billy and The woman al
ready mentioned. and an ancient Pistol
by the name Of Charley. The latter
wore many firearms. and had a good
deal 10 say, but had never, as Billy
expressed it, made good" This, in
the West. could rot have been for lack
of opportunity. His functions were
those OF general factOtum-
against the logs Of the hotel, waiting
for the stage. BY and by it drew in.
Charley hobbled out, carrying buckets
Of water for the horses. The driver
flung the reins from him with the
lOrdly insolence Of his class. descended
slowly and staggered to the barroom
for his drink. Billy followed to serve it.
Luck" said the driver, and crooked
H.
Anything new?" queried Billy.
Nope"
Held up?"
Nope"
That exhausted the situation. The
two men puffed silently for a moment
at their pipes. In an instant the driver
turned to 60.
i got you a tenderfOOt," he remarked
casually. 4 reckon he's outside"
Guess ] ambles forth and sees what
fer a tenderfoct it is replied Billy.
Fastening from behind the bar.
The tenderfoot was seated on small
trunk just outside the door. AS he
held his hat in his hands, Billy could
see his dome-like bald head. Beneath
the dome was a little pink and white
face, and below that were narrow slop-
ing shoulders. a fat chest, and handy
legs. He wore light check suit and
flannel shirt whose collar was much
TOO large for him. Billy took this all in
while passing. AS the driver climbed
10 the seat, the hotelkeeper commented.
Say, Hen" said he, would you
stuff it. or put it under a glass case?"
I'd serve il a lay TOOlOOse," replied
the driver briefly. and he brought his
long lash S-shaped across the four star
tied backs OF his horses.
Billy turned TO a reinspection Of his
guest and met z deprecating smile.
Can get a shake-d0wn here for to-
night?" he inquired in a high, piping
voice.
You kin" replied Billy shortly, and
began TO owl. for Charley.
That patriarch appeared around the
corner, as did likewise the cook. a
black-eyed, red-cheeked creature, af-
terward cOulted by Bill. as one of his
eight matrimonial ventures.
Snake this strangers war-bag into
tn shack" commanded Billy. d" And
Nell, jest naturally rustic a few grub"
The stranger picked up a small hand
sstchel and followed Charley into the
building. When, a little later, he re-
appeared for supper. he carried the
handbag with him and placed it under
the bench which fianked the table Af-
terward he deposited it next his hand
while enjoying a pipe outside. Natu-
rally all this did not escape Billy.
Stranger" said he, "yo' seems
mighty welded TO that thar satcheIYs
Yes, sir" piped the stranger. Billy
snorted at the title. 4 has some per-
sonal belongings which is valuable TO
me" He opened the bag and produced
a cheap portrait Of rather a cheap
looking woman. My mother that was"
said he.
Billy snOrted again and went inside.
He hated sentiment of all kinds. The
two men sat opposite each other and
ate supper, which was served by the
red-cheeked girl. The stranger kept
his eyes on his plate while she was in
the room. He perched on the edge Of
the bench with his feet tucked upder
him and resting on their toes When
she approached the muscles of his
shoulders and upper arms grew rigid
with Embarrassment causing strange,
awkward movements of the hands.
He answered in monosyllables.
Billy ate expansively and earnestly.
Toward the close of the meal Charley
SAppSu lIlO pace beside him. Charley
was out OF humor, and found the meat
cold.
- - yore soul, Nell" he cried,
this yere amt fitten fer hog TO eati"
The girl did not mind, nor did Billy.
1t was the country's mode of speech.
The stranger dropped his knife
Il don't wonder yo' don't like il.
them" said he, with funny little flare
Of anger.
'Meanin' what?" shouted Charley
threateningly.
You shore mustn't speak to a lady
that way" replied the stranger firmly,
in his little piping voice.
Billy caught the point, and exploded
in mighty guffaw.
Bully fer youi" he cried, slapping
his knee; struck pyrites Che pro-
!.