The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-31
BILLY'S TEMDERF00T T.:
m URING one spring bf the early sew
III iii entities Rillv Knai.n ran q SneciaS of

m URING one spring bf the early sew
HUI enties Billy KNAPP ran a species of
road house or hotel at the crossing
of the Deadwood and Big Horn trails
through Custer valley. Travellers chang
ing from one route to the other frequent
~ stopped there over night. He sold ac
commodations for man and beast, compris-
ing plenty of whisky and plenty of hay.
That was the best anyone could say of
it. The hotel was of logs, two-storied.
with partitions of sheeting to insure
certain privacy of sight if not of sound;
had three beds and a number of hunks,
and boasted of a woman cook-one of the
first in. the Hills. Billy did not run it
long. He was too restless
The personnel of the establishment con-
sisted NJ Billy and the woman already
mentioned. and an ancient Pistol by the
name of Charley. The latter wore many
firearms, and had good deal to say, but
had never, as Billy expressed it, made
good" This, in the West, could not have
been for lack of opportunity. His functions
were those OF general factotum.
One evening Billy sat chair-tilted
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
mis- elbow.
Anything new?" queried Billy.
Held up"
Nope"
That exhausted the situation. The two
men puffed silently for moment at their
pipes. In an instant the driver turned to
go.
Il got you tenderfoot," he remarked
casually. Il reckon he's outside"
Guess 1 ambles forth and sees what fer
a tenderfoot it is replied Billy, Fastening
from behind the bar.
The tenderfoot was seated on a 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 sloping shoulders, a fiat
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 to the seat, the hotelkeeper COM
mented
Say. Hen, said he, would you stuff
it. or put it under a glass case?"
I'D serve 1t 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 deprecating smile.
Can l get a shake down here for to-
night?" he inquired in high, piping
voice.
You kim" replied Billy shortly, and
began to howl for Charley
That patriarch appeared around the
corner. as did likewise the cook, q
black-eyed red-cheeked creature, after
ward counted by Billy as one of his eight
matrimonial ventures
Snake this strangers war-bag into
tn shack" commanded Billy. sAnd Nell
jest naturally rustic few grub
The stranger picked up small hand.
satchel and followed Charley into the
building. When, a little later, he reap.
peared for supper. he carried the hand
bag with him and placed it under the
bench which flanked the table. After,
ward he deposited 1t next his hand while
enjoying pipe outside. Naturally al
this did not escape Billy
Stranger" said he ''yo' seems might,
welded to that thar sacthel"
Yes. SIR piped the stranger. Bill,
snorted at the title. 81 has some per
sonaI belongings which is valuable to me.
He opened the bag and produced chear
portrait of rather cheap-looling woman
My mother that was" said he.
Billy snorted again and went inside. H,
mated sentiment or all Kinds. The two
men sat opposite each other and ate sup
per. which was served by the red-cheeket
girl. The stranger kept his eyes, on hi.
plate while she was In the room. III,
perched on the edge of the bench will
his feet tucked under him and resting on
their toes When she approached tn,
muscles of his shoulders and upper arm.
grew rigid with embarrassment, causing
strange. awkward movements of thu