The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-03-30
one win lend me a pencil and piece

I
of paper on the way To-"
Tramp, tramp, tramp. The guard Was
walking up and down outside. Harkl
what was that? The man had cooked
his rifle. Another sound-horses, a
score Of them at least, a challenge from
the guard, curt reply in a voice
which Ogden knew; then silence fol
lowed by the sound Of key turning in
the door, then
"out Of this, boy. Come" A tall
figure stood in the doorway, reckoning
cold man-Hame." John gasped.
That's me. No word on it now
There amt time"
John looked around. All ABOUT him
were mounted men, a strange mixture
cowboys, bronco busters, and sheep
herders, red faced Texans, and swarthy
Mexicans-usually the bitterest of en-.
emfes-now for the first and only time
IN their lives standing shoulder to
shoulder as comrades, to fight in a com.
mon cause
ITO the hotel, boys" said a voice. Ed.
Clincher's. mot a sound. We have
a willy steer to rope, and must work
clear around him before We throw"
They wheeled, and, with John and
Hame in the centre, galloped down the
one road Calhoun possessed, reaching
Sanderbach's hotel in few minutes.
Lights We're dancing in the windows
there, people running to and fro in
mortal fright, for it was said that a
party of cowboys mad With drink were
about to shoot up the town. The scare
had Just begun, and before anyone
could leave the place Hame, Clincher,
Collect and Bacon, with e force OF fifty
men, were round it in an unbroken
ring.
Judge sauderbach, portly and respec-
table, stepped out upon the porch.
Behind him on the stairway to the
upper story, were pale-faced Visitors.
The judge, tall, fine-looking man,
asked with an injured air Of dignifed
surprise what they wanted.
The storekeeper answered. "The
Sheriff of this town, judge
The Judge smiled, HE is not here,
my friend"
1--WE search your house room by
room. Boys, Clincher spoke over his
shoulder ten of you follow me, and
| needn't say, keep your guns handy"
He moved a pace nearer, and the
men behind him gave their rifles a
sling forward, raising a shrek Of
terror from the ladies on the stairs.
"Stay, sir" the Judge said solemnly.
"You shall answer for this to the Gov
ernor of this Territory, though / can
not resist you now.
He stepped inside room near the
door, and the men waited in grim
silence. At last tall slouching figure
came slowly down the passage into the
lighted hall.
Cover him." said Clincher sharply,
and ten rifles were swung to shoulder,
and again the ladies shrieked. The
Sheriff, however, raised his hands
above his head and stood STILL In a
they had closed around him,
in few more the porch of the Sand
erbach Hotel was deserted.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen of Ed
house collected a small COM
pany of men, the same who had supped
there some hours earlier. Before
them stood Burt Lassiter, guarded. At
4 table in the center of the room sat
Ed Clincher, a Bible at his left hand
and big six-shooter at his right.
Dull lldo0lIGI, ITO SAUL IlSluS, anu
taking UP the Bible, "swear on this
Bible to tell the truth" The prisoner
advanced, and in a husky tone took
he oath, touching the Bible with his
Ups.
you are on trial." the storekeeper
continued, before these men who are
for this town in right OF |
being the first settlers in the country, |
md having most stake in it.
you have this day accused am inno- |
,ent man of murder, and by means OF
bribery had him condemned to death. |
Now, answer this question, and re-
member you are on your oath-Who
lilled Ben Slade?"
The prisoner breathed hard His
labby face was yellow and his fin
,ers twitched, but he held his head |
Ugh and smiled in Clincher's face.
John Ogden, the man | arrested
o-day."
Clincher turned his head, and made
!. sign to q man near the door.
"Bring in Maxine Gallegos." The
lexican boy came in, very frightened,
'ut able to give his evidence clearly.
The prisoner laughed. did you ever
now a greaser to tell the TRUTH" ,
"Call John Ogden" :,
John was cool now, and spoke short
Y, to the point. When asked if he
ad any questions, Lassiter merely
hook his head. But he was not smil-
ng now. "I'll swear against q thous-
nd oaths. I did not"
Clincher held up his hand.
"Drop that" he said stern1y. "Give
i'm the bullet"
A small conical pellet of lead was
hown to the prisoner, who started and
hen tried to smile contemporary.
at is q rife bullet" Clincher said
cry quietly. Ogden, by your evil
ence, only carried revolver. Yet
he bullet you hold now was found in
LADIES' body, and fits your rife ex-
city,"
A moment of silence, while Lassiter
led to speak--and failed.
Answer me again" thundered
lincher.
There was a low gurgling cry, and I
le Sheriff fell grovelling at Clincher's !
yet. 1t
Mercy, mercy" he whispered. For
DDS sake have mercy, and / will" {
"Stop-" Clincher's eyes flashed FIRE. s
nd cast away hands that had clutehed | /