The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-05-05
HIS GRUDGE?
tOriginal.1

lOTlgludI.l
'I'ye heard, sub, that there has been
a fight in this place, and one Of the
contestants took an unfair advantage
Of the other"
Eyer referrin' to the set-to in the
Empire saloon last night. Vas; the
Texas man shot t'other feller when he
was lookin' down on the floor for
half dollar he'd dropped. They'd had
some words about the cards, but none
of us bout here expects man to
shoot when t'other feller isn't expect
in nothin'" sw
do you know the Texas mans
name, subj"
mo, sir; he hain't been here long.
Why are you concerned about him."
1--WE been lookin' To- man, sub. and
when heard that this Texas man had
done mean, murderous trick I Won
dered if he weren't the man I'm lookin'
for. Has he been arrested?"
"Well, no. There amt nobody here
as likes to tackle him."
By this time a number of citizens
looking for some one. He was white
headed old man, but very erect and
with plenty of vigor, at least in his
eye. He was well dressed and had the
air Of gentleman.
There he is now" said one Of the
bystanders as man emerged from a
saloon and walked across the street.
The stranger started, the blood rush
ing into his face, then rushing back
| again. His hand shook. Indeed he
| trembled all over. Then he mastered
himself and said coolly:
Gentlemen, that's the man I'm look
in fo'. request yo' purmission to
change the co'se of the law somewhat.
would like to fight the accused"
There was a look Of surprise on the
faces of those standing by.
''Oh, he'd eat you up," said one Of
them. "He's young and spry and mean
enough to rob dead niger. You're
too good stuff to buck against man
like that"
Il know I'm not young, sub. How
could be when l served under Gener-
| al Lee in Virginia? Trust me. sub.
I've just enough grit left in me to tac-
kle that man-not another man; that
particular man."
The stranger turned and walked to-
ward the object of his search. The
crowd went with him. The Texas man
saw them coming and gave them de
fiant glance. Suddenly he recognized
the stranger and paled.
1--WE found yo' at last, Jim," said the
old man, 'but I've had long hunt. >
Then. turning to the crowd, he added
"This man and desiah yo' purmissior
to settle private matte. VIII any
gentleman present make the arrange
mentsY'
A representative man was urged for
ward and at once began to provide fol
meeting. The principals We're t.
step back into the Clearing" off tht
street. stand thirty PAGES apart and a
a signal advance, firing till their re
volvers were emptied. The crowd sub
mitted under protest, for they did no
doubt that the Texas man would com
NIT another murder However, som'
of the onlookers observed that he wa!
growing nervous under the veterans
glittering eye, which was never for I
moment withdrawn from him.
Slowly as at burial, for no on
doubted that one at least of the enc
mics would die, the party passed be
tween two houses and proceeded owe
cracking twigs through wood to tn
clearing. The Texas man and th
stranger walked a little in advance
the former peering straight before him
as IL to escape the fixed glance OF tn
veteran, who kept his head turned to
ward his enemy, never for a mOmen
relaxing his gaze. Once only did tn
murderer turn to meet that relentles
glance, and then he shuddered as
the very marrow in his bones had bee
frozen. One of the followers who he'll
the advance and saw the expression
Of the old mans eyes dropped bac
and whispered to another: Tibet ain
no live man. He's come back from til
dead to avenge some wrong"
In the center of the cleared spac
the party stopped. the manager of til
affair examined the principals to max
, sure they had no concealed weapon
t relieving the Texas man of a revolve
i. and knife, and then placed them
r position, handing each revolver. III
master of ceremonies stood with pi
: tol in his hand waiting for the crow
to get back out of the way. Now tn,
the Texas man was face to face wit
4 his opponent he seemed to have pas
h ed under spell. He was coweriI
r under the others merciless glanc
!, yainly endeayoring to turn his ow
i. aside. Then the veteran. as II to 81,
Observation-Disclosures