Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 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 a very delicate one,
and he knew il. IL the Sheri1 nau
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 Iassiter. lie was
knocked OUT and severely bruised
and would be marked for weeks. but
a stiff glass of brandy speedily re-
yived 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 we'll. Thanks, my boy"
He smiled, and with the impulse OF a
good natured man, extended his hand.
"Adios amigo" he said.
The Mexicans face shone "Ah,
gracious Senior, | nevair forget"
| A month later the spring roundup
was over, and John Ogden was a free
man, with $500 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 Observation-Disclosures. The rail.
road had now reached the town, and,
| 1t 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 the Sheriff, and pleased light
came into Lassiter's crafty eyes as at
the sight of something he had wished
to see for a long time.
Y
Hey a drink, he said cordially.
My turn now. Order yourself"
Ogden did so, his right hand within
easy grasp or 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 Tor 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 snspicim
that he had been cheated. He could
not prove 1t, and he took his bad luck
in silence, but such an experience is
never conducive to sweet temper and
john, when ne woke next morning,
after a restless night, was in a very
morose and uncharitable mood. What
should he do? go for his mail? He stroll
led over to the post-ofiice 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 a wrinkled face like monkeys
ana 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
little hard. John stood quite still
ior minute, his wrath rising within
MIN, then, without deigning to speak
again, he strobe to the bag and, break
ing the seal. prepared to scatter It's
contents upon the counter. Before he
could do 1t the postmaster flew at him