Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-08-14


D seventies Billy Knapp ran u
.:-sS species Of road house or hotel
EsN ut the crossing Of the Dead
wood and Big Horn trails through Gus
ter valley. Travellers changing from
one route to the other frequently stop
ped there overnight. He sold accom-
modations for man and beast, cOmpris-
IN. plenty OF whisky and plenty Of hay.
That was the best any one could say
uf il. The hotel was of logs. two stO-
ried, with partitions Of sheeting to in
sure certain privacy of sight II not
OF sound; had three beds and u number
of hunks and bOasted Of woman cook,
one of the first in the hills. Billy did
not run 1t long. He was too restless.
The personnel Of the establishment
consisted OF Billy and the woman al
ready mentioned and an ancient Pistol
by the name of Charley. The latter
wore many firearms and had Il good
deal to say. but had never. as Billy ex-
pressed it, made good" This in the
west could not have been for lack Of
opportunity. His functions were those
Of general factOtum.
One evening Billy sat chair tilted
against the logs of the hotel, waiting
for the stage. BY and by 1t drew In.
Charley hobbled out. carrying buckets
of water for the horses. The driver
flung the reins from him with the lord
ly insolence Of his class, descended
slowly and staggered to the barrOOm
for his drink. Billy followed to serve
it.
Luck" said the driver and crooked
his elbow.
Anything news" Queried Billy.
Nope"
Held up?"
"Nope."
That exhausted the situation. The
two men puffed silently for moment
at their pipes. In an instant the driv-
er turned to 20.
81 got you tenderfoot," he remark
ed casually. "I reckon he's outside"
Guess ! ambles forth and sees what
fer n tenderfoot it is," replied Billy.
Fastening from behind the bar.
The tendcrfoOt was seated on small
trunk Just outside the door. As he held
his hat in his hands Billy could see his
domelike bald head. Beneath the dome
was little pink and white face, and
below that were narrow, sloping shoul-
ders, fiat chest and handy legs. He
wore light check suit and flannel
shirt whose collar was much too large
for him. Billy took this all in while
passing. AS the driver climbed to the
seat the hotel keeper commented.
"Say. Hen" said he, "would you stun
It or put it under glass case?"
I'D serve it lay Tooloose." replied
the driver briefly, and he brought his
long lash S-shaped across the four star
tied backs Of his horses.
Billy turned to a reinspection Of his
guest and met deprecating smile.
''Can | get shakedown here for to-
night?" he inquired in high, piping
voice.
You kim" replied Billy shortly and
began to howl for Charley.
That patriarch appeared around the
corner, Is did likewise the cook,
b...ca eyed. red checked creature, after
ward counted by Billy as one OF his
eight matrimonial ventures.
snake this strangers war bag into
tn shack" commanded Billy. "And,
Nell. Jest naturally rustic few grub
The stranger picked up a small hand
satchel aud followed Charley into the
building. When, little later, he reap
peared tor supper he carried the hand
bag with him and placed 1t under the
bench which fanked the table. After
ward he deposited 1t next his hand
while enjoying a pipe outside. Nat
ural.y all this did not escape Billy.
stranger" said he. ''yo' seems
mighty welded to that thar satchel."
"Yes. sir" piped the stranger. Billy
snorted ut tha title. II has some per-
sonul belongings which is valuable to
me-" He opened the bag and produced
a cheap portrait Of rather cheap look
Ing woman My mother that was.
said he.
Billy snorted again and went inside.
He hated sentiment of all kinds. The
two men sat opposite each other and
ate supper. which was served by the
red checked girl The stranger kept Ills
eyes OH his plate while she was In the
room. He perched OH the edge Of the
bench with his feet tucked under him
and resting OIL their toes. When she
approac ched, the muscles Of his shoul-
ders and upper arms grew rigid with
embarrassment, causing strange, awk-
ward movements Of the hands. He an
swered In monosyllables.
Billy ate expansively and earnestly.
Toward the close Of the meal Charley
slipped into place beside him. Charley
was out of humor and found the meat
cold.
g. yOre soul, Nell," he cried,
''this yere amt fitten fer hog to eat"
The girl did not mind. nor did Billy.
1t was the country's mode of speech.
The stranger dropped his knife.
II don't wonder yO' don't like 1t,
them said he with funny little flare
Of anger.
"Ieanin' what" shouted Charley
threatenlngly.
"You shore mustn't speak to a lady
that way" replied the stranger firmly.
in his little piping voice.
Billy caught the point and exploded
In mighty guffaw.
"Bully fer your he cried, slapping
his knee. Struck pyrites"-he pro-
nounced 1t "pie rights"-''fer shore that
trip, Charley"
The girl. too, laughed. but quietly.