Mower County transcript., 1904-10-19

to him, Du1 the O11Cer feIuSeu 10 cOD-
Germ himself in the matter.
"Look " here, George Buckley" he
said. "Do you reckon I'm paid measly
town wages to do both town and coun-
ty work? Eff the sheriff cayn't keep
down them riots over thar in the noun
tains, l cayn't. Fer $50 month I'm
expected to do police duty in daytime,
Waterman at night an act as coroner
on special occasions. Besides, JEFF
Truitt's gettin' entirely too numerous.
Every time lie gets full he wants to
scratch some O them daredevils' eyes
out. He's a. funny chap. They say
when he's drunk he'd fight swarm O.
wildcats, but when he's sober ihed
scare at the sight of a baby popgun,
an, on top O. that when he sobers up
he's so stubborn he'd die fore he would
apologize fer what he's done. What
you goin'. to do with a man like that?
He's no ornament to the community"
well, l only thought I'd let you
know the situation" George smiled as
he walked on. "All want to do is to
save the fellows neck"
George saw no more Of Jeff Truitt
that day. He had some important cal
culations to make in connection with
the sale Of certain large quantities of
cotton to mills in the east. and he was
closely occupied in his Office till past
midnight. When he had finished he
went to the front door Of the ware
house to get breath of fresh air be-
fore retiring. He did not feel sleepy.
Such work as he had been doing Usu-
ally had contrary effect on him. Sud
denly he heard a shout up the street
in the direction of the Johnston House,
a revolver was fired, and a gruff voice
cried out, Thar he goes, boys"
This was followed by a clatter OF
many feet on the brick sidewalk, Il
storm of furious CALCULATIONS and sti-
fed oaths, and then a dark human bill
low rushed down the street in Buck
ley's direction. 1t was mob pursu-
ing Jeff Truitt.
Hardly knowing why he did it,
George ran into his Office and secured
his big revolver from the drawer of his
desk and turned back quickly to the
door. He was just in time, for the
mob, numbering fifty or more, was not
ten yards away. Painting and almost
out Of breath, Jeff Truitt came bound
ing along ahead of them and just out
of their grasp. He was making for
the warehouse with the instinct that
there, and there alone, lay some chance
for escape. He gasped out something
to George and darted past him into the
warehouse.
"Halty' George thundered, his re-
volver leveled at the man in the lead.
"Halt or I'll blow your brains out"
The man fell back against those be-
hind him. and the surging mass came
to a sudden pause.
"Heigh! What's this?' painted a man
in the rear "What's thfsr'
"Itsme," said Buckley calmly. 'That
boy has come to me for protection, and
he shall have it If have to shoot SIX
OF you in your tracksr'
"Oh. thunder! Come off," sneered a
man in the front ''Git out O. the door,
Buckley, or We'll mash. you 1attern a
flitter.''
THE first man that tries to pass this
There was a swerving back from the
weapon in Buckley's steady hand. ST.
lence fell-a threatening silence. The
cooking Of revolver somewhere in
the crowd sounded clearly.
That's right, shoot at me, you dirty
coward" said Buckley defantly. Here
stand in the: light, and i can't pick
you out in the dark. Shoot, you cow
ardly sneak?' ~
Put that gun down. cried deter
mined voice in the throng. "You harm
George Buckley an I'll put daylight
through you
There was a sound of struggle,
stifled oaths and the clash of revolver
as it struck the pavement It was fol-
lowed by grumbling words, hot dis
putting and-silence.
"You are set Of cowards," said
Buckley, running like pack Of wolves
after poor boy for what he said and
did when he was drunk. Now, clear
out, the last one Of you! You know
who I am-and you know If there is
any one Of you, or any three, that want
to hold me responsible, for this step
I'll be on hand. Has any one here any
row to pick with jeff Tr1litt. then let
him speak up. I'll represent him. I N
in a fighting mood tonight and will
satisfy just as many as will apply"
"An' he'll do it, too, boys" said an
admir1ng voice. "Buckley's got the
right stuff in i'm! Come on, let's 60
home. George. seems friendly to- the
cuss, an any friend O. his is safe as
fur as I'm, concerned"-s - r.:.- T..
Same here" Joined in another voice.
''Buck, yo're all right, but that's a
dern slack wad yo're takin' up fer, as
shore as yo're knee high to a duck
"Well, he's my friend, and I'm his
mothers friend" said Buckley. "a
mob like yours shan't send his corpse
home to her If can help it,