Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-08-16

modify tilted back In chair, outside
the doorway Of the saloon which he
frequented, when the merchant, car
rying a pasteboard shoebox 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 his hand suggestively jerk
ed his cartridge belt into more con-
venient position.
II understand that you've said you
were going to kill me-" spoke the MGR
chant.
81 sure am, as soon as I get good
an ready" grow.ed the desperate.
"Well, I've got tired of waiting"
declared the merchant "We'll settle
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 handkerchief" and
he unfolded a large bandana. "You
choose which pistol you want; I'll take
the other. Then We'll catch hold of op-
posite corners Of this handkerchief
and back away, and the minute that
the cloth is tight we'll pop and find out
which gun has the bullet in it"
Twill you jes' please repeat that?
I didn't quite savvy," stammered tho
desperate uncertainty.
The merchant repeated.
you mean I'm to take one gun, and
you the other an go it blind; and then
shoot at each other across the hand
kerchief" inquired Pete, dazed.
Exactly" affirmed the merchant.
Pete stared at the pistols. They
were the old-fashioned, powder-and-
ball variety, single shot and loading
at the muzzle. Whence the merchant
had resurrected them none but himself
knew: however, they were perfect for
the purpose, for their contents could
not be ascertained by the eye.
The desperate rose so the occasion.
"All right" he said. I'm game.
But somebody's sure goin' to be hurt"
He weighed the pistols carefully in
his hand, and selected one. The mer-
chant took the other.
Somebody sure u.s." he replied grim
ly.
Noting the interview, a crowd had
collected.
The merchant extended a corner Of
the bandana to the desperate. Here"
he said, take holdw
With the fingers Of rather shaky
left hand "Wildcat Pete" grasped the
handkerchief. The merchant cooked his
pistol. "Wildcat Pete" cooked his.
when the handkerchief draws tight,
we shoot, remember" warned the mer-
chant.
The crowd fell away from behind
each Of the duelists. The merchant
and the desperate slowly, gingerly,
backed apart; the handkerchief, held
at arms length, was Just ceasing to
sag, when Bang" went the pistol Of
wildcat Pete" An exclamation
leaped from the peering crowd; but
the merchant stood up, smiling sarcas-
tfcally, unframed. Evidently the des-
perado's pistol was the blank; he had
fired ahead Of time, and he had fred
In vain.
Seeing the result, with an oath he
dropped the handkerchief and whipped
his hand to the six-shooter at his right
hip.
"None Of that" cried a stern voice
in his ear and wisely refraining he
glanced behind, to find the marshal, at
last emboldened, exactly covering him.
Hands upv'
81 reckon Mr.. Merchant there Is
about entitled to shot," suggested the
marshal, coolly. go ahead, Mr.. Mer-
chant" he said to him.
"Pete," said the merchant decisive
ly, "you aren't going to kill me, after
all. Turn aroundv'
Peter turned.
"Now march, commanded the mer-
chant. you'll find your horse straight
ahead. Get on him and keep going.
and don't come back"
- L1D Il