The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-03-23

the crowd stared and swore softly with
wonder. while the president hummer
licked his lips
Ogden knelt by the sheriff, unfasten-
ing the collar of his coat His own
position was now very delicate one,
and he knew it. If the Sherin nad
pals, his adversary would pay with
his life. for the punishment he had
inflicted. Apparently. however, the
man had no friends. for not soul
except the landlord and John himself
troubled to find out whether he was
still alive.
Nothing. as it happened, was serious
ly wrong with Lassiter. He was
Knocked out" and severely bruised
and would be marked for weeks, bnt
stiff glass of brandy speedily re-
vived him; and his shooting irons
were removed from him. A few min
utes later Ogden was remounting to
continue his journey, with a pleased
countenance and somewhat sore
knuckles. As he swung into the sad
die, he was aceosted by the Mexican.
Senior, where you yamos now?"
''Why?"
you will Eever come near Calhoun
City night time? No. That Sheriff
kill you" John shifted.
His funeral might come first. Still,
you meant we'll Thanks, my boy"
He smiled, and with the impulse of a
good natured man, extended his hand.
AIDES amigo" he said.
The Mexican's face shone. "Ah,
gracious Senior, nevair forget"
A month later the spring roundup
was over, and John Ogden was a free
man, with 800 in his pocket, prepar-
ing to take summer holiday. This he
decided to spend in Calhoun City. The
reason which drew him to Calhoun
was one which he would not even own
to himself-homesickn The rail-
road had now reached the town, and,
it was said, had brought a cargo of
people from the East decked out in
the glories OF civilized attire, and John
longed to see anything that would re
mind him of old days. So to Calhoun
he went straight away, and to Jeph-
sons. There, on the second day, he
met tho Sheriff, and a pleased light
came into Lassiter's crafty eyes as at
the sight of something he had wished
to see for long time.
"Hey drink" he said cordially.
MY turn now. Order yourself"
Ogden did so, his right hand within
easy grasp of his revolver. But no
move was made against him, and after
close observance of the man he came
to the conclusion that none would be
made. Burt Lassiter was coward.
This matter cleared up, John settled
down for a game of cards. He was
generally lucky player, but tonight
everything went against him and he
lost twenty-five dollars. This was bad,
but what was worse was a suspicion
that he had been cheated. He could
not prove it, and he took his bad luck
in silence, but such an experience is
never conducive to sweet temper, and
John, when he woke next morning,
after a restless night, was in a very
morose and uncharitable mood What
should he do? go for his mail? Hestrol-
led over to the post-office at once and
asked for letters.
Slade, the postmaster, was sweeping
out his room. He, too, was queer
tempered man. A lean, wiry Yankee,
with wrinkled face like monkeys
and a high-pitched voice.
He took no notice of Johns request,
except to say sharply:
Come in an hour"
Now considering the mailbag was
at that moment reposing on the coun-
ter at the back of the room, this was
a little hard. John stood quite still
for a minute, his wrath rising within
him, then, without deigning to speak
again, he strobe to the bag and, break
ing the seal, prepared to scatter its
contents upon the counter. Before he
could do it the postmaster flew at him
like wild cat, and snatched the bag
from his hands.
Eye cow-punching devil, you. If
there was shred of law in this God
forsaken place, I'd have We arrested
for robbng the United States mail. AS
it is you'll"
But he got no further for Johns |
temper had boiled over, and, catching
the little man by the back of the neck, |
he shook him until he was black in |
the face, then tossed him like an empty |
sack to the other side of the room /
Slade was up in moment drawing
a revolver John did the same, more I
quickly, but he did not fire. The post
master only carried little nickel
plated pistol FIVE inches long, mere
toy beside Ogden's great army Colt.
Put it up" said John quietly '"This
thing is not worth life" He lower
ID his own pistol as he spoke, when
from behind there came a sharp "ping"
IF rifle bullet, and the postmaster
staggered against the wall, falling up
IN his face dead. At the same instant
John felt hot iron touch the back of
lis neck, and a voice, Burt Lassiter's
aid CURLY: