Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-04-06

what was that? The man had cooked
his rifle. Another sound-horses, a
score Of them at least, a challenge from
the guard, a curt reply in voice
which Ogden knew; then silence fol-
lowed by the sound Of a key turning in
the door, then
"Out Of this, boy. Come" A tall
figure stood in the doorway, reckoning.
"Old man-Hame." John gasped.
THAT'S me. No word on 1t now.
There amt time"
John looked around. All about him
were mounted men, strange mixture
cowboys, bronco busters, and sheep
herders, red faced Texans, and swarthy |
ENTHUSIASTICALLY the bitterest of en-.
emies-now for the first and only time
In their lives standing shoulder to
shoulder as comrades, to fight in COM
mon cause.
ITO the hotel, boys" said a voice, Ed.
Clinchers. Not 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 a 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 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-f"ced visitors.
The judge, a tall, fine-looking man,
asked with an injured air Of dignified
surprise what they wanted.
The storekeeper answered. "The
Sheriff of this town, Judge"
sThe Judge smiled, "He is not here,
my friend"
eve 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. 81
He stepped inside a room near the
{ or, and the men waited in grim
silence. At last a 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
moment they had closed around him,
in a few more the porch of the Sand
erbach Hotel was deserted.
Meanwhile, In the kitchen of Ed
Clincher's house collected small COM
tpany Of men, the same who had supped
there some hours earlier. Before
them stood Burt Lassiter, guarded. At
a table in the center of the room sat
Ed Clincher, a Bible at his left hand
land big six-shooter at his right.
BURT Lassiter," he said, rising, and
taking up the Bible, "swear on this
bible to tell the truth" The prisoner
advanced, and in husky tone took
the oath, touching the Bible with his
Hips.
"You are on trial." the storekeeper
continued, "before these men WHO are
Irresponsible for this town in right of
being the first settlers in the country,
land having most stake in it.
"You have this day accused an inno-
Icent 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
killed Ben Slade?"
The prisoner breathed hard. His
|fiabby face was yellow and his fin
high and smiled in Clinchers face.
| John Ogden, the man | arrested
to-day"
Clincher turned his head, and made
a sign to O man near the door.
"Bring in Maxine Gallegos." The
Mexican boy came in, very frightened
but able to give his evidence clearly.
The prisoner laughed. Odd you eyel
know a greaser to tell the truth?"
"Call John Ogden"
John was cool now, and spoke short
ly, to the point. When asked IL he
|, had any questions, Lassiter merely
: shook his head. But he was not smil
,, ing now. '"I'll swear against q thous
: and oaths. did not"
Clincher. held up his hand.
"Drop that" he said sternly. "Givt
him the bullet"
! A small conical pellet of lead was
shown to the prisoner, who started ami
then tried to smile contemporary.
ut is a rifle bullet" Clincher sale
,, very quietly. "Ogden. by your eyi
: dence, only carried revolver. Ye
: the bullet you hold now was found ii
p SHADES body, and fits your rife ex
actly."
>, A moment Of silence, while Lassitel
!. tried to speak-and failed
ANSWER me again" thunderet
, Clincher.
There was low gurgling cry, ant
: the Sheriff fell groyelling at Clincheri
e feet.
= Mercy, mercy" he whispered. go
:. Gods sake have mercy, and will"
"Stop-" Clinchs-'s eyes flashed fire
and cast away hands that had clutches
: his.
5 HNif;1onc fbfc mon 10 o,,iI+x, II, voI,