The daily Alaskan., 1905-07-10
A SIMPLE
 CONTRIVANCE


 mining camp in a suit of clothes that he had contemplated throwing away before leaving the east but had, on second thought, considered good enough for railroad journey. When be arrived at the camp in them there was a smile on the faces Of the men whose costumes consisted of som brero. wooden shirt and trousers tuck ed in boots. Then for the first time be realized that his suit was too good for the country.
 Abbott was obliged 10 remain at the camp for some time, since it was the only inhabited central point on new telegraph line he was setting up. He was a good natured fellow with pleasant smile. with which he met the banter his clothes called forth. He did not adopt the costume of the country, and all efforts tO shame him Into diS cardlng his own were truitcss. Such being the case, the camp, excepting one person, accepted thc situation and were disposed tO permit the tCudcrfooi Co wear any clothes he liked. The eN ception was James Robinson, common ly called Arizona Jim, who declared that such ballroom outdt" was an Insult to the rest of the population Thereupon he commenced number of petty annoyanceS with a view Cd forcing Abbott tO discard the said ballroom outfit"
 Abbott bore these aunoyauccS pa tiently, meeting them all with his good natured smile, but it was soon evident to him that trouble was brewing from Arizona Jim, who was the acknowl edged fighting man of the camp-a sell constituted regulator. One thing eS pecially exaSperated Mr. Robinson and that was that under his perSecu tons the tenderfoot waNed even moro amiable and was growing fat His glrth, which was but thiry-four inches on his arrival, within week had grown to thirty y-eight, and in another week to forty two inches. When his increasing obesity was remarked upon he laughed and said that camp lif' agreed with him.
 One morning Arizona Jim and Ab bolt met in the only street In the town and Jim thus addressed the tendcrfoot
 Say, you've been duucju' about iu yer ballroom rig. putin the rest of us common folks in Shadder long enough I hereby gives notice fer y Co take 'cm of. What y griuain' aL y walSin jumpin' jackg Ef | ever kctch y iu them togS ag',n in this town m put a hole In y'."
 HoStilities that had been looked for by the miners for some time had now begun. Abbotts amiabiIlty had made him many friends, and> they admou lshed him either to put on a sombrcro a woOlen shirt and tuck his trousers iu his boots or arm himself for shooting match with Arizona Jim. He simply smiled and said nothing. Whcreupon hls advisers Inquired what they should do with his body. He told them that having gained so much flesh among them, the freight bIIl consequent on sending 1t home would be very high and they had better bury him where hC fell.
 Early the following morning tn, whole camp waited at their cabin doors to see the fray. No one believed that Abbott would expose himself un, armed to be shot down like a dos and no one believed that be would turu and fee at sight Of his adversary, An oi thls only added to the general clrios lty.
 Abbott emerged from his hut at the usual hour, dressed In the objection able suit and without any sign cf a weapon. His opponent with a rev yolv' CT strapped to each hip, was waiting for him and started to meet him See, Ing that his enemy carried no weapons at least in his handS-thc bully re trained from drawing AS the twC men approached each other the audi ence looked on with expectation min, gled with disappointment, They dis liked to see Abbott shot down u0 armed. Nevertheless they were pug zled that he proceeded on his way wearing his impcrturhah!e smile, When he came within a dozen yards of his opponent Robinson stopped and said:
 "I give y far warnn' yiSterday that l wouldn't have no more O them finery in this yere camp. Take 'cm right of.
 Abbott, who had also stopped, made no reply except by broadening hs smile, showing more plainly his white teeth. He could have done nothing better calculated to throw the bully Into a fit or anger. Robinson put his right hand 10 his belt and drew a re volver, cooking it at the same time,
 There was hush among the Specta, tors, such a hush as prevails a moment before some miserable wretch is eliRI. mated by law.
 Suddenly something like a volley from a Gatling gun spat from the waist Of the tenderfOOt. Arizona Jim threw Jp his arms, shrieked, then fel Sprawling on the ground, dead. Upon eNamina. ton his body was found to be pune. tured by five bullets.
 Of course Abbott explained. Around his waist, under his false stomach, he