The Topeka state journal., 1906-03-31

E TOPEKA DAILY STA
boys got wind he had showed him
through It,
Hold on there,'' cried Peg Leg Rey-
nOlds when It was just too late Chris
was out Of It. and shockIey turned
alone.
"Ail right. partner: what is it2" he
asked amiably.
Y ou've got a ripping nerve"
ssI know it
What's your name ?"
'ShOckley."
can you dance %
It was Peg Legs opportunity. He
Grew nls gun. reckon maybe you
can Try It" he added, pointing the
suggestion with the pistol. Shockley
/ looked foolish. He didn't begin trip
/ ping soon enough and bullet from the
cowboys gun splintered the Dashboard
at his feet. Sh0ckley attempted to
shuttle To any one who didn't know
/ him II looked funny. But Peg Leg was
a rough dancing master and before he
! said Enough an ordinary man would
4 have dropped exhausted. Shockiey,
I breathing a good bit quicker. only
/ steadied himself against the bar.
Take of your hat before gentle
men,, cried the cowboy Shockley hesi-
tated, but he did pull of his cap.
That's more like 1t. What's your
name ?'
/ "shockley''
"shoekley 2'.s echoed Reynolds with
burst Of range amenities. well,
I lShockley, you can't help your name.
Drink for once in our life with a man
I OF breeding-nny names Reynolds.
/ Pat. set out the good bottle-this guy
pays" exclaimed Peg Leg, wheeling to
the bar.
'eWhat'u it be?' asked Pat Barlie of
Shockley. as he deftly slid row of
I glasses in front Of the men OF breed
ing.
Shockly mildly. The cowboys put up
q single yell Ginger ale! It was too
funny.
Reynolds, choking with contempt,
( pointed to the yardmasters glass.
/ "Fill 1t with whisky" he shouted.
''FiIl. It, PATTI he repeated, as shockiey
lleaned undecidedly against the bar.
4 The yardmaster held out the glass and
the barkeeper began to pour. Shock1ey
/ looked at the liquor a moment, then he
/ looked at Reynolds, who fronted him
with gun in one hand and red water in
the other.
Drink"
Shockley paused, looked again at the
whisky and drew the glass toward him
with the curving hand of a drinker.
You want me to drink this2' he half
\ laughed. turning on his batter.
Z didn't say so, did II I said drink"
rOared Peg Leg.
Everybody looked at Shockley He
stood lingering the glass quietly. Some
how everybody, drunk or sober, look &c
at ShockIey. He glanced around at the
crowd Other guns were creeping
from their holsters. He pushed the
glass back. smiling.
81 don't drink whisky, partner" said
Shoekley gently.
you drink that whisky or I'll put q
little hole into you!"
Shnn1r4e4r or r1af qc-
the glass. threw the liquor on the fooI
and set it back on the bar.
Go ont" said Shockiey. It con
fused Reynolds.
"a man that'Il waste good whisky
oughtn't t live anyhow" he muttereG
lingering his revolver nervously. ''YoI
have spoiled my aim Throw up you
hat" he yelled. I'll put a hole
through that to begin with"
Instead Shockley put his cap bacl
on his head.
put hole through it there" sait
he Reynolds set down his glass, and
Shockley waited. 1t was the cowboy
who hesitated.
where's your nerve? asked tn,
railroad man. The gun covered hin
with a fash and a roar. Reynolds
whatever his faults was a shot. Hi
bullet cut cleanly through the crown
and the powder almost burned Shock
ley's face. The switchman recovered
himself instantly and, taking off hi
cap. laughed as he examined the hole
Done with me?' he asked evenly
cap in hand.
Peg Leg drained his glass before h
spoke. Get Out!'' he snapped. Thl
switchman started on the word for tn
: front door When he opened it every
] body laughed but Shockley.
Maybe an hour later Reynolds wa
sitting back of the stove in a car
game when a voice spoke at his ear
Get upi" Reynolds looked aroun,
into a pistol. Behind It stood Shock
: ley. pleasant. Get up!" he repeated
Nobody had seen him come in, bu
$ there he was and with an absolutel
8 infant3e gun. a mere baby gun, in tn
yellow light, but it shone like brigh
, silver.
Reynolds with visible embarrassment
! stood up.
Throw your cannon into the stove
z Reynolds; you won't need It." suggest