Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-07-06

Inc gun was o 40-sU eater,
heavy enough for bear.
The clerk brought il out
Now, Pete, - address, lie mer-
chant more brisklY. II 3 you to
move-and move quick I"
For the first time the d perado
looked up. and it was into nnzzle of
the rifle.
II reckon I won't" he announced
obstinately.
II reckon you will |" announced
the merchant with equal oestinancy.
I'm give you just one minute TO get
out or I'll blow you out -
II reckon you won persisted
Pete, apparently callous.
George, hold the watch on us, I"
bade the merchant.
George held the watch. The des-
perado fidgeted, and seemed inclin-
ed to rise. He moved circumspect-
ly, knowing that the merchant had
the drop on him.
WELL" he said, II guess I'll 90
and sit on the other side of the street
by the vacant lot. I'll see you la
ter, he added meaningly.
No, you WON'T snapped the
merchant. IF you want to see me
you can see me right now"
Il reckon III sit awhile in front
of the blacksmith shop" drawled
Pete; and with an injured air he
slouched off toward the site propos-
ed, and there established headquar-
ters, much to the disgust of the
blacksmith.
The merchant re-entered the store
and received the congratulations of
his customers.
Meanwhile, at the blacksmith shop,
Wildcat Pete was voicing dire
threats, all of which conveyed the
same message; that he was going to
kill the merchant on sight. The
merchant heard. He was advised
by friends right and left to arm him
self and be prepared to shoot first;
but he sturdily refused. Hesimply
sent word:
Tell that fellow Pete that dom
carry gun, and that | shall con-
tinue to go back and forth along the
street just as usual. I'm not afraid
of him. Only, il he tries to inter-
fere with my personal rights, or with
my business, he's likely to get in
trouble. He may talk all he wants
to, but he must leave me alone.
However, the desperado's bluster
began to prove irksome. Itdistres-
sed the merchants wife exceeding
ly, and kept her constantly wrought
up lest her husband should be mur-
dered. 1t had effect upon the mer-
chant himself, naturally making him
watchful and nervous, and enforcing
upon him precautions, If not for his
own sake, then for the sake of his
family. He stayed in the back part
of the store, and at home was care
full not to expose himself at a wind
ow.
Finally the strain became unen-
durable. The merchant decided to
put an end to it.
1t was just a week after the en-
counter whereby Wildcat Pete had
been made to move up. He was sit
ting, moodily tilted back in a chair,
outside the doorway of the salocu
which he frequented, when the mer-
chant, carrying a pasteboard shoe
box, walked directly up to where he
sat.
Behind the merchant followed the
Marshal and several other citizens.
Wildcat Pete Strengthened up in his
chair, and suggestively jerked his
cartridge belt intoa more convenient
position.
II understand that you We said
you are going to kill me, said the
merchant.
Il sure am, as soon as l get good
an ready" growled the desperate.
well, I've got tired of waiting"
declared the merchant. We'll set
tie our little difficulty right here"
He took the cover from the box.
Now in this box I've brought two
pistols; one is loaded with ball, and
the other is a blank. See this hand
kerchief?" and he unfolded a large
bandana. You choose which pistol
you want; I'll take the other. Then
well catch hold of opposite corners
of this handkerchief and back away,
and the minute that the cloth is
tight we'll pop and find Gut which
gun has the bullet in it.
will you jes' please repeat that !?
l didn't quite savvy," stammered
the desperate, uncertainty.
The merchant repeated.
"You mean I'm to take one gun
an and you the other an 60 it blind;
and then shoot at the other across