New-York tribune., 1905-02-12

All the COWBOYS and ranch men who ounged about
the water-tank the store and saloon which con-
sttuted Buffalo Ridge always had friendly nod
for him. The barkeep at Bernsteins saloon
beamed when the deputy swung himself off his
favorite pony, "Wildcat, and walked in the beauti-
full spring morning, and then said cheeruly; Good
morning Tony I'm looking for Kicking Bill Withers
Have you seen him?"
He is out there in the back room, deputy" he
answered
One glance into the next room was enough to
cloud the brow of the deputy Bill Withers
playing poker with the notorious professional
gambler Jim Connors from Pond City, twenty miles
away.
Connors was character so low that one of the
cowboys had said that there only fit place
for him in hades and that already crowded with
poisonous snakes. Jim Connors offered the cowboys
drugged whisky and then cheated them out of every
cent they had. Once a ranch into him in the
mountains holding a fresh, piece of somebody's
else calf before infuriated rattesnake which was
fastened to a cord. The ranch advanced
the theory that Connors rubbed his bullets in the
poisoned meat but nobody paid much attention
him, until Sam Judkns died from a simple scratch
made by stray bullet of Connors'. Yet this de-
graded and hated had great fascination for the
COW boys.
Excuse me- fellows" said the deputy pleasantly
as he stepped up to the card table, but want to
speak to you moment, Kicking Bill"
What cher want, deputy?' asked Bill sulkily.
"As yer see, I'm busy now
"One moment, please, in the next room" The
deputy a commanding person, and SO Bill got up
and followed him out of Connors hearing
You have been drinking Bill" he began kindly;
"but you understand me we'll enough. Listen to
You know that that Connors is lower grade of
person than angeworm; you know he is after
your roundup pay, which he is to get You
have sister to support, and you can't afford to lose,
much less be robbed. Connors is crooked
"Aw, go long, deputy! Yer too hard on him. He
promised ter play straight with this time; an l
promised ter put nice little bullet inter him if he
didn't. See? It's all right
Its apt to be embarrassing to kill a man in this
county, Bill Just remember that Remember, too
that | am officer of the law. | warn you to quit!"
Kicking Bill" slouched back to his game The
deputy about to mount his pony and be off; but
something stayed him, and he tied his horse
at the back of the cabins, which, Joined together
made the various rooms of Bernsteins place. Then
he went back into the saloon.
60 Kickin' Bill is the best feler round these parts"
ventured that most important parsonage of Buffalo
Ridge society, the barkeep. Never hearn word
ag'in him since come here. Now, that crtter that's
dom him in the other rOOm-well won't say nuthin'
fer l don't know nuthn bout him; but he amt
specially pleasin' ter me-
"Wthers is very good Sort" replied the deputy
He is as loyal and honest as the day is long
Besides my admiration for him, | owe him a
nursed through typhoid fever when first
came out to the ranch and except for his faith
ful and intelligent l should have passed in nv
chips
The chat interrupted by three quick sharp
revolver shots. The two looked at each other
Tor a second, as If trying to locate the sound but
another instant brought tiny cloud of powder smoke
from the adjoining room.
He cheated me, the curl" said Kicking Bill"
Wlthers, as the deputy and the barkeep entered.
Il told him I'd shoot him. an | done It'll"
distressed expression came over the deputy's