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

| AO"dEu HOOn Vi q y Juuo udy Schch-
teen years ago, there came riding
into the little town of Blank, in
Southern Colorado, a stranger, SON.
brerod, red -kerchiefed. blue-shirt-
ed, high booted, and wearing at each
hip. in the holsters of well-filled
cartridge belt, a heavy six-shoOter.
He halted before the principal sa-
loon, threw reins over his horse s
head, dismounted, and walking in
roughly, proclaimed himself to be
Wildcat Pete" and bad man, :"
aud ordered drinks. Having i'm
bibed considerable liquor, he pro-
ceeded TO cavort up and down the
street, threatening and bullying,
and in the recognized border way
was shooting up the town."
Although still without the civiliz-
ing influence of q railroad, Blank
was not and never had been law
less, free for all; that is to say,
"wide-open, in the measure of many
a typical Western cow-town and
mining camp. Blank had begun
quietly and had continued along its
peaceful way, with singular immu-
nifty from any disturbing, all-regard-
less element. Consequently the ad-
vent of Wildcat Pete" was an un-
welcome surprise.
But while the presence OF the des-
perado was looked upon by the citi-
zens OF Blank with disfavor, still he
stayed and did about as he pleased.
To tell the truth, the Marshal was
afraid him, and the public general
ly found it necessary to take time to
consider. Therefore Wildcat Pete"
remained, a thorn in the flesh of
Blanks prosperity.
He was clustering, domineer-
ing, loud-voiced individual; and al
though this is not the distinguish
ing trait of the real bad man, :" to
back it up he proved himselfmighty
quick with gun.
On Saturday morning the pro-
prietor OF the general store of Blank
was returning TO it, after a rather
late breakfast. AS he walked up
Main street he noted that ahead of
him the thoroughfare seemed oddly
deserted, Pedestrians and horse
men and teamsters were showing q
strange partiality for the eside streets.
One might have thought that a por-
tion of the street was plague -strick.
en-. 1t was.
AS the merchant, wondering, ad-
vanced, presently he beheld the fig
ure OF man squatting tailor fash
ion in the middle of the road. 1t
was Wildcat Pete" There he was
sittingly calmly, arms folded, but
with a six-shooter in each hand, and
whenever anybody walking or rid
ing drew near he dignifedly waved
them back. They went. He owned
the street. They sought another.
1t was just a bad man IS" fancy,
but it had to be respected.
However, the merchant frowned.
He was annoyed. Pete had station
ed himself exactly in front of the
store, which possessed the only
piece of sidewalk in town. When
one has gone TO the expense of a
sidewalk, the only sidewalk in the
community, he does not relish hav-
ing its attractive force rendered null
and void so that some freakish wight
may pose as real estate car.
The merchant, was amiably suf-
fered to enter his store, but il he
was prepared to greet customers he
was prepared in vain. Custom was
emphaticatly at low ebb. Several
prospective buyers hove in sight,
as the merchant knew; but Pete
grandly waved them to another
street, whereupon they retired pre-
cipitately.
The merchant, followed by his
anxious clerk, went out to where
the desperate was sitting, cross
legged and crossed-arme vigilant-
ly guarding his self-selected limits.
You re Wildcat Pete, are you 2"
asked the merchant.
Yes, sir, I'm Wildcat Pete" re-
piled the other, not deigning to look
up at him.
The merchant was a newcomer
from the East, and Pete considered
him minus quantity.
well, Pete" said the merchant
briskly. I'm paying good rent for
this property, aud I've built side
walk and gone to other expense for
improvements, and / can't afford
having my customers driven of like
you re doing. Now, go over on the
other side OF the street and sit in
trout of that vacant lot; or there's a
splendid place in front OF the black
smiths shop. It's shady there.
Don't sit here