West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-06-07
KNGWOoD PRESTON COUNTY, WEST JUNE 1906

probably on the principle OF the watch-
ed pot. the whole winter went without
a brush between Shockley and the cow
boys. Even Peg Leg Reynolds let him
alone. Hes the luckiest fellow on
EARTH" remarked Callahan one day ut
McCloud In reply 10 a question from
Bucks about Shockley. There hasn't
shot been fircd at him all winter"
He wasn't always lucky" comment
Sd Bucks. signing n batch OF letters.
lie came from Chicago" Bucks
went on after silence. "ue was
switching there on the Q at the time OF
the stockyards riots. Shockley used 60
drink like pirate, never knew Just
the right OF II. l understood II was I'm
a brawL Anyway, he killed man
there-shot him and had TO get away
In hurry. l was trainmaster. Shock
ley was striker. but III always found
him decent. ana when his wife came 10
me about Il ! helped her out little.
She's dead since. His record isn't lust
right back there yet. There's some
thing about the shooting hanging over
him. never set eyes ON the fellow
again TIL he struck me for Job ut
McCloud; then | sent him up TO you.
lie claimed he'd quit drinking Guess
he had. Long as he's behaving himself
believe In giving him chance. h'mT"
Ii really wasn't any longer case OF
| giving him IA chance: rather OF whether
they could get on without him. When
the Colorado Pacific began racing us
| I'm f1,.,f "a
crowd even Shockley to keep the yard
clean. He saw he would have to have
| help.
Chris. what do they give you for
tinkering up the tlesT" asked Shockley
one day.
| dollar an half"
| why don't you take hold OF switch
ing with me and get S3Y"
Chris was thunderStruck First he
said Callahan wouldn't let him, but
| ShOckley "gEessed yes" Then Chris
figured. To save the last OF the hun
dred dollars necessary 20 get the wom-
an and the babies over-it could be
done In three months instead OF six II
only Callahan would listen. But when
Shockley talked Callahan always lis
|
swltchman he got him. And Chris got
his So, TO him sum unspeakable.
By the time the woman and the chill
drcn arrived IN the fall Chris would
have died for ShoclSley.
The fall that saw the woman aud the
stunted subjects OF the car slowed
away under the bench I'm Little RUSSIA
brought also the cowboys down from
Montana 10 bait the russians.
One stormy night, when Chris thought
IL was perfectly safe to venture up TO
Rubedo's after groceries. the cowboys
caught him and dragged him over to
Pat Barlle's.
IL was Z when they caught him and
by they had put him through every
pace that civilization could suggest
Peg Leg Reynolds. as always, master
OF ceremonies, then ordered him tied to
the stove. When 1t was done the cow
boys got into big circle for dance
The fur on Chris's coat had already be-
gun 10 sizzlc. when tie front door open
cd. Shockley walked In.
Straight. In his amblIng hurried way
lie walked past the deserted bar through
tic ring OF cowboys at the rear 90 Chris
frying against the stove and began cut.
ting him loose. Through every knot
that his knife slit lac sent n very loud
and very bad word, and no sooner had
he freed Chris than he jerked him by
the collar, n n quarrcllng with him,
toward the back door. which was
handy usd before the cowboys got
wind he had showed him through II.
Hold on thcrcp cried Peg Leg Reyn-
olds when 1t was Just too late Chris
was out Of II. and Shockley turned
alone
"All right, partner; what is lt2" he
asked nmIably
you've got ripping nerve"
II know It,"
What's your nameY
"Shockley."
Can you danccT
NO"
1t was Peg Logs opportunity. He
drew his gun. IL reckon maybe you
can. Try IT," hc added. pointing tho
suggestion with the pistol. Shockiey
looked foolish. lie didn't begin trip
ping soon enough and n bullet from the
cowboys gun spllntercd the dashboard
at his feet. Shockley attempted TO
shuttle. To any one who didn't know
him II looked funny But Peg leg was
. rough dancing master and before ho
said Enough" an ordinary man would
have dropped exhausted Shockley
breathing n good BIT quicker. only
steadlcd himself against the bar
Take or your hat before gentlemen"
cried the cowboy Shockley hesitated
but he did pull OF his cap.
"TbGts more like a. WHAT'S your
nameT"
"shockley."
"shockieyT echoed Reynolds with
burst ~ range amenities We'll.
lhockley, You can't help your name
Drink FOR Onco I'm your lie with q man
of breeding my names Reynolds. Pat.
set ont the good bottlc-this guy pays"
exclaimed reg log. wheeling 20 the
bar
"Whatll u bcT asked Pat Barlie Of
EhockIey. as Ee dcftly STA q row Of
glHascs in front of the mcn of breed
nc
"C'ngor ulo for me-" srggested
shockicy mildly Tho c3--'e-s put up
q s'rg'e yell Ginger ale. 70 was too
funny
Reynolds choking wlgh contempt.
pointed 70 the yardm1 rr glass.
Fiji lt with whisky he f.-!. "FlU
,t. Patr' he repeated as Shr.lcy lean
td undcchedly against uic bur The
tardmastsr held out the glass and tho
l1rkccper began 10 pour Shockley
boxed at tine liquor a moment then no
boEcd at Reynolds, who fronted him
viih gun in ono hand md red water IN
lhe other,
DRINK
shocklcy paused. looked again at the