The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1907-01-25
Here was a pretty mess, Cheney

AASiO Wac d pretty MSSsk SutuCy
was down there on governm snt bust
ness, and II he became involved in q
row with this Leigh, his identity
might be revealed and his plans
thwarted. The department in Wash
ington would give him a good raj
over the knuckles, and, mayhap, dis
miss him. The affair must be settled
and settled quickly. Cheney knew
Leigh to be coward at heart; but
he was in his own bailiwick, en-
trenched round about by the gambling
element. Alone, he would be nothing
to fear; with this crowd back of him
he would be everything. Leigh had
no respect for law; he was an open
vlolator of it every day. But he had
reckoned without his host.
At this time a reform mayor and
chief of police were trying to break
up this criminal ring. Cheney didn't
know either one of them. and did not
want to reveal his true self, unless it
was absolutely necessary. But he did
know a man named Jim WEIGH, who
during the civil war, had been one
OF FORESTS raiders. Welch had done
some work for the secret service aft
er the war, and Cheney sent for him
to come to the hotel Welch came
and Cheney told him the story.
We'll, now, Jack, All reckon we
can fix that up. Just put yo' gun in
yo' pocket, fob sudden emergencies
an We'll go up an see Pat Boland
chief of police. He's square chap
an hates Leigh's gang like the devil
hates holy water"
Cheney and WEIGH met Boland in
the city hall, and when the chief
heard the story he was wroth.
go on out and kill the snake, and I'll
promise you won't even be locked up
Leigh is yellow all through, and
won't meet you alone"
Il don't want to kill him." said
Cheney, although the hound richly
deserves it. But 1 guess with WEIGH
here to back me, can give him
enough to last for awhile"
Cali right" replied Boland; eff you
want any more help, let me know
And with that Cheney and WEIGH
left.
When they got outside Cheney sur
prised WEIGH by giving him his revol-
yer.
whats that fob, Jack?" asked
WEIGH. "Yo' may need this"
mo l won't. All l want you to
do is to stand off the gang, and I'm
going to give Leigh the best thrash
ing he ever received. 1 don't want
the hounds blood on my hands,"
well, Ah'll keep the gang off.
Nevah you fear, old man." drawled
WEIGH.
Cheney bought a good, stout raw
hide, and then started after his man.
Leigh was down in Canal street sur,
rounded by crowd of his bench.
men. His wound of the previous
night was not bothering him at all,
and he had RECALLED his gang with
what he was going to do to "Gallatin''
when they met. Suddenly Cheney and
Welch appeared in their midst, and
WeSch swung two six-shooters in
front of the gang.
STAND back, gentlemen. We doan'
want no interference heah at ALL
Cheney in the meantime had grab
bed Leigh's right hand with his left
and given it wrench well nigh
bone-breaking in it's force, and
then with the rawhide he thrashed
Leigh until he begged for mercy.
Above the sound of the swishing Of
the cowhide, as the whip rose and
fell with singing force, he could
hear Ben Welch's drawing roice say:
Keep back, gentlemen, keep back,
or Ah'n make some work for the un-
dertakers."
This admonition was not necessary,
for the gang were disguised with the
behavior of their so-called leader.
He made no effort to defend himself,
but yelled to Cheney to stop.
"Say you are a damned coward!"
said Cheney, pausing with whip up
raised.
I'm damned coward" gasped the
thoroughly cowed Leigh. Anything
to stop the avalanche of blows. All
this time Leigh had a six-shooter in
his hip pocket. Cheney took it, and
then flung Leigh from him. Turning
to the crowd, he quietly said:
"Any of you gentlemen want to take
this up?"
mo, suh," said one; "Ah reckon
no one heah wants to tackle yo. Yo'
are too much lax buzz saw"
Leigh had sneaked away like a
whipped dog, and thus ended his tam
ing.
Jack said Welch, "Ah guess we'll
go get Pat Boland an have julep.
And they did.
Copyright, by w. G. Chapman.)