Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-03-30

the crowd stared and swore softly with
wonder. while the prescient 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 1t. II the Sheriff 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 1t happened, was serious
ly wrong with Lassiter He was
knocked OUT and severely bruised
and would be marked for weeks, but
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 accosted by the Mexican.
Senior. where you vamos now?"
"Why?"
You will never come near Calhoun
City night time? No. That Sheriff
kill you." John shifted.
His funeral might come first. Still,
you meant well. Thanks, my boy"
He smiled, and with the impulse of a
good natured man, extended his hand.
"Adios amigo" he said.
The MeXican's face shone. "Ah
gracious Senior, l nevair forget"
A month later the spring roundup
was over, and John Ogden was free
man, with $1OO in his pocket, prepar
ing to take summer holiday. This hi
decided to spend in Calhoun City. Tit
reason which drew him to Calhoun
!, was one which he would not even owl
10 himself-homesickness. The rail
road had now reached the town, and
it was said, had brought a cargo o
; people from the East decked out il
the glories of civilized attire, and Johl
) longed to see anything that would re
mind him of old days. So to Calhoun
) he went straight away, and to Jepf
' sons. There, on the second day, h
3 met the Sheriff, and pleased ligh
? came into Lassiter's crafty eyes as a
l the sight of something he had wishe
to see for long time.
Q "Hev a drink" he said cordial!
i, "My turn now. Order yourself"
t Ogden did so, his right hand With
4 easy grasp Of his revolver. But n
/. move was made against him, and afte
s close observance of the man he cam
: to the conclusion that none would b
9 made. Burt Lassiter was coward
d This matter cleared up, John settle
down for a game of cards. He wa
generally lucky player, but tonigf
everything went against him and /
lost twenty-five dollars. This was ba
but what was worse was suspicio
that he had been cheated. He coul
not prove it, and he took his bad luc
in silence, but such an experience
never conducive to sweet temper an
! John, when he woke next mornin
after restless night, was in vel
I morose and uncharitable mood. VIII
should he do? go for his mail? He sire
led over to the post-office at once ar
1 asked for letters.
Slade, the postmaster, was sweepir
4 out his room. He, too, was a quee
tempered man. A. lean, wiry Yanke
with wrinkled face like a monkey
4 and a high-pitched voice.
He took no notice of Johns requel
except to say sharply:
Come in an nour'~
Now considering the mailbag W
1 at that moment reposing on the cou
4 ter at the back of the room, this W
II little hard. John stood quite st
Il for minute, his wrath rising with
u him, then, without deigning to spe;
4 again, he strobe to the bag and, brea
81 ing the seal, prepared to scatter
II contents upon the counter. Before
II could do it the postmaster flew at hi
Il like wild cat, and snatched the b
II from his hands.
II Eye cow-punching devil, you.
III there was a shred Of law in this &c
4 forsaken place, I'd have ye arrest
4 for robbing the United States mail.
u it is, you'll"
II But he got no further, for John
I temper had boiled over, and, catchi
\ the little man by the back of the nee
4 he shook him until he was black
the face, then tossed him like an emp
sack to the other side of the roo
Slade was up in a moment drawi
a revolver, John did the same, mo
quickly, but he did not fire. The po
master only carried a little nick
plated pistol five inches long, a me
toy beside Ogden's great army Colt.
"Put it up" said John quietly. "Tl
bo thing is not worth life." He low,
~ ed his own pistol as he spoke, VIII
=" 20 from behind there came sharp "pin
10 Of rife bullet, and the postmast
h ,o staggered against the wall, falling ,
~, 40 on his face dead. At the same insta
~ John felt hot iron touch the back
~ his neck. and voice, Burt Lassite
said CURLY: