The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-02-08

y
window at the top. At the first shot
everyone in the sleeper got down be-
hind seats, and the women screamed,
that is those that didn't faint. Che
ney heard the shot and crash of glass.
He had full command of his faculties
the minute he opened his eyes, and
knew the bad man" was again on
the war path. He grabbed his revol-
yer, jumped up and saw outlined be-
hind the glass in the door the blear-
eyed Leigh wildly firing his gun.
There was no whisky in Cheney's
veins to disarrange his aim. The
train was lurching from side to side
as he fired, once, twice, and then the
face of Leigh disappeared. This
might be a ruse," thought Cheney,
ITO enable him to reload his six
shooter" He seized the bell rope
and brought the train to a standstill.
The conductor came back and found
Leigh on the front platform of the
Magenta with bullet wound through
the fleshy part of his pistol arm. 1T
was more painful than serious, and
had caused him to drop his revolver.
He was helpless, and knew it.
OF course Cheney was a govern
ment officer, and could have arrested
Leigh then and there, but to have
done so would have revealed his
identity, and the mission Cheney was
on precluded that.
Leigh was taken up in the baggage
car prisoner. His bravado was
gone, so was his revolver; that made
him tame, and he was not an object
of fear any longer. Cheney made the
conductor wire a complaint to the
chief of police in New Orleans, ask
ing him to have detail meet the
train on it's arrival.
Once more Mrs. Leigh begged Che
ney not to have anything to do with
her husband. In New Orleans he was
all powerful, and would do Cheney
harm. But the colonel only smiled
and assured Mrs. Leigh he would
take care of himself.
At II o'clock the train pulled into
the old station, and Leigh was turned
over to the police. Cheney said he
would make the complaint and ap-
pear in the morning. Leigh said
nothing, and it was noticed he seemed
particularly confident of the out
come.
Cheney spent the night at the
Gulf City hotel, registering as Al.
bert Gallatin, of Baton Rouge. The
next day when Leigh's case was
called, Cheney told his story, but was
surprised to note that not one of the
other witnesses was present. Neither
was Mrs. Leigh. It was soon apparent
to Cheney that Leigh was in the
hands of his friends. Some all-power.
full influence was at work in his ia
vor, and the judge dismissed the
case. Cheney returned to the hotel
and rested for awhile. About noon he
came down to the lobby, and Ed
Sweet, the proprietor of the hotel
came to him.
"Mr. Gallatin, are you armed, sir?'
"Why no, not now. Why?" asked
Cheney. --~.--
Fred Leigh has been in here and
made some ugly threats against you.
don't want any man murdered in
my house. Here's my gum"
"Thank you," snid Cheney, with
his inevitable smile. I'll get my
own gun, though I confess think
Mr.. Leigh's threat is mostly talk
well, you gave it to him good on
the train, and he deserved it all. But
here he's king of the gambling ele
ment. Any number of thugs and bull
lies are ready to do his bidding. You'd
better be prepared"
again thank you," said Cheney
"I'll be here for day or so, and will
keep my eyes open for Mr.. Leigh
That afternoon while Cheney was
in his room card was brought tc
him bearing the name of Judge w. H
Emery.
"Show him up," was the terse or
der to the negro bell boy.
Cheney was standing in the middle
Of the room, his right hand resting
carelessly in his coat pocket. But
at the same time he was grasping his
revolver, and when Judge Emery
came in he was covered. Cheney was
ready for any emergency.
The Judge was a typical southern
er, and occupied place on the city
bench. He was not long in making
his mission known.
''You are Mr.. Gallatin, I presume
subj"
AT your service, Judge Emery"
"Well, sub, All come as the repre-
sentative of Mr.. Frederick Leigh
with whom yo' had an alteration last
night. We realize, of co'se, that yor
are a perfect stranger in these parts
and we are willing to provide yor
with seconds. Mr.. Leigh demands
the satisfaction of a gentleman, sub.
"You mean a duel?" said Cheney
smiling.
Exactly, suh," replied the judge
stroking his goatee. "Yo' are the
q