Gilpin observer., 1906-11-08
The Lady Sheriff's
Captive
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles.) }
By w. w. HINES

the sound OF two revolver shots, and
couple of cowboys from the Triple X
ranch went tearing by on little, under
sized cayuses that could run, and were
then running, like, as Monty Jacobs
remarked, "a couple of scairt jack
rabbits
l. Red" Cutcheon was in company
with his bosom friend and boon COM
panion, slim Jim" Morley. With the
annual roundup on the Triple X over,
and with three months pay in their
pockets, the two were drinking in
large drafts from the cup of pleasure
afforded them by the pleasing practice
of shooting up San Carlos. They
were, or rather had been, drinking
other things-many other things, but
principally "mescal' whisky, which
makes the brain feel like the interior
of an active volcano.
Being shot up" was an old story to
San Carlos and its citizens. 1t was
just one of those little occurrences
which are none the less inevitable be-
cause slightly unpleasant. About once
month delegation of two or more
cowboys from the Triple X performed
lilt Opcldll WllCu COuSlSltQ III SSl-
ting very drunk and then riding up
and down through San Carlos main,
and only, street, yelling at the top of
their voices and firing their pistols.
But the "mescal" must have been
worse than usual on this day, or else
Red and Slim Jim had absorbed large
ly of it. Their spirits were too high
to be satisfied with the harmless
amusement of yelling and discharging
revolvers into the air. They were
hunting trouble"
"Whoop-ee!" they yelled, as they
| drew rein in front of Jacobs store.
| licker."
Monty came. He was no coward,
and besides he knew that the only
danger lay in the fact that he might
accidentally stop bullet meant for
another destination.
You orter behave yourselves better,
boys" said Monty, as he served the
drinks they demanded, we've got a
new sheriff of Ranger county since
you were here last"
ITO Halifax with the sheriff of
Ranger county," said Red. whats
become of old Mike Callaghan?"
Mike died two months ago." said
Monty, ''and the boys thought his
widow needed the fees of the Office, so
what did they up and do but elect his
daughter to the Office. Some people
said 'twarn't legal to elect woman
sheriff, but the boys said they didn't
care two whoops in hot climate
whether twas legal or not. So you
fellers had orter quit sich folishness
as shooting up the town."
"Whoop-ee!" said Slim Jim Morley.
"Hurrah for the new sheriff. Is she
pretty?"
We'll, of course, there's difference
of taste about beauty" said Monty
cautiously. But most of the boys
swear as how she is the prettiest girl
in Ranger county"
Here's your money, you old Jew"
said Red enthusiastically. We're 60
ing round to call on the new sheriff.
Where is she? At the court house?"
Monty had no hesitancy in answer
ing in the affirmative, for he knew the
boys would never think of harming a
woman.
Yelling like wild Indians, and pune
tuating the yells with revolver shots,
the mescal-crazed cowboys started at
gallop for the little red court house
In front they drew rein with final
yell and volley from their six-shoot
ers.
Not man was in sight. The whole
town looked as though every one was
indoors and asleep.
"Whoop-ee," Bang! Bang!; I'VE
want to see the new sheriff. Come out
and arrest us, sheriff! Whoop.ee."
The door in the front of the court
house was quickly opened, and a
young girl stepped out
"Whoop-ee!" began Red and Slim
Jim in unison. Bang! went pistol
In the handS Of the girl.
Evidently the new sheriff took the
duties of the Office in dead earnest.
In each hand she held heavy
Colts revolver, and she began firing
deliberately, first with one and then
with another. A bullet struck an
adobe house on the farther side Of the
street, another kicked up the dust at
the feet of Reds cayuse. A third
stung the flank of Slim Jims cayuse,
and he started of on a gallop.
Not knowing the cause of his com.
rade's desertion, Red reviled him bit.
terly.
You pizen coyote, can't you see tho
lady is shooting at us? You amt got
no right to run away" he shouted.
The sound of her own pistol shots
was ringing too loudly in the sheriff's
ears for her to hear this shout, but
she recognized the fact that neither
one OF the two men had fired at her,
and she began to wonder II she had