Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-03-31

ed ShOckley. Reynolds looked around.
There appeared Co be no hopeful alter
native. The drop looked very cold.
Not cowboy nterposed Under con
vOy Reynolds stumped over TO the
stove and threw In his gun, but the
grace OF the doing was bad.
Get up there on the bar and dance.
HUSTLE" urged Slockley. They had 70
help the confused cowboy up. and when
be stood. shametaced, looking down on
the scene OF bis constant triumphs and
did painful single foot. marking time
with his peg. the cowboys. who had
stood their own share OF his bullying.
roared. Shockicy didn't roar: only
stood with busy eyes where he could
cover any map on demand. not forget
ting even Fat Barlie.
Peg Leg. who had danced so many IN
his day danced. aud his roasting gun
sputtered an accompaniment from the
stove: but as ShOckley. who stood In
front OF it. paid no attention 20 the
fusillade OF bullets good form prevent.
cd others from lodging. "That'u do:
get down. Come here. Chris" called
Shockley. Chris oxen. greatly disturb.
ed, issued from an obscure corner.
Get down on your knees" exclaim
ed the yardmaster. Jerking REYNOLDS
with chilly twist in front OF the fright
encd Russian Get on your knees
right where threw your whisky" Aud
Shock.ey. crowding Reynolds down 10
his humiliation. dropped for the first
time into range civilites himself. and
the shame aud the abasement OF II
were very great.
Boys" said the yardmaster. with
one restless eve on Reynolds and one on
everybody else. as he pointed at Chris.
this mans coat was burnt up. He's
n poor devil and his money comes hard
Chip ia for a new coat. I've nothing
against any man that don't want 70
give. but Reynolds must pass the hat.
Take mine YOU coyote"
Nearly everybody contributed as Rev
nolds went round Shockley made no
comments Count H." he continued
when the fallen monarch had finished.
and when the tale was made Shockley
told Fat Barlie to put in as much more
as the cap held, and he did so.
you" added Shockley insolently, turn
ing on Reynolds. 'You don't know
what fun is. This town won't hold
you and me after tonight You can
take IL OF you can leave it, but the FIRST
time | ever put eyes on you again one
, OF US will cash i'm
He backed directly toward the front
door and out
Peg Leg Reynolds took only the night
TO decide; next day he hit the trail
The Merry yardmaster he might have
wiped out II he had stayed, but the dis.
grace OF kneeiing before the dog OF 6
Russian was something never to be
wiped ont In the annals OF Benkleton.
Peg Leg moved on. and thereafter COW.
boys took occasion to stop Shockley on
the street and jolly him on the way he
did the one legged bully. and the lights
were shot no more.
The railroad men swore by the new
yardmaster; the Russians took their
cigarettes from their mouths and
touched their caps when ShockIey pass
ed; Callahan blessed his name. but lit
tie Chris worshiped him.
One day Alfabet Smith dropped of
at BenkletOn from Omaha headquar.
/ tiers Alfabet was the only species of
lizard on the payroll He was the
west end spotter "Who Is that slim
felIowT' he asked OF Callahan as
shockley few by on The pilot board of
an engine
That's Shockley."
'-Oh. that's Shockley. is itP"
But he could say little things in q
way TO make a man prick hot all over
"Yes. that's Shockley. WhyT asked
Callahan, with dash OF acid.
Nothing. only he's a valuable man.
Hes wanted, Sbockley is" smiled AL.
fabet Smith. but his smile would freeze
tears.
Callahan took II up short. Look
here. Alfabet. Keep or Shockley."
4'Why?"