The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-03-06
The Spoilers.
By REX E BEACH.
ev,,.ht. 1908. - ne. S..eA-
tConunusa-J
Nv REX E. BEACH.
ev,,.ht 1908. ~ I. SsssA

He looked injured ana 9egfleNct
end called In Voorhees,. the marshal.
can't grasp the thing at all Every
body seems TO be against us-ths
fudge, the marshal, the prosecuting at
tDrney, everybody. Yet they've done
q all according to law. they claim, and
have the soldiers to back them up"
Its Just as Mexico Mullins said
Dextry stormed. There's a deal on OF
some kind. I'm goin' up to the hoteI
an call on the judge myself. ain't
never seen him nor this Mcnamara
either. / aIlus want to look a man
straight in the eyes once. then know
what course to foller in my dealin's.'
you'll find them both" said Glenis-
Ter, '-for Mcnamara rode into town
behind me-"
The old prospector proceeded to TIRE
Golden Gate hotel and inquired for
Judge Stillman's room. A boy attempt
ed to take his name, but he seized
him by the scruff of the neck and sat
him In hts seat. proceeding unan-
nounced to the suit to which he had
been directed Hearing voices. he
Knocked and then. without awaiting a
summons, walked in.
The room was fitted like an Office,
with desk, table, typewriter and law
books. Other rooms oDened from it on
both sides. TWO men were talking
earnestly-one gray haired, smooth
shaver and clerical, the other tall, pic
turesque and masterful. With his first
glance the miner knew that before him
were the two he had come to see and
that 10 reality be had to deal with but
Szs, tie big man vino siaot al him the
level giances.
I'VE are engaged" said the judge;
Every busily engaged, sir. VIII you
call again In half an hourf"
Dextry looked him over carefully
from head to foot then turned his
back on him and regarded the other.
Neither he nor Mcnamara spoke, but
their eyes were busy, and each instinc-
lively knew that here was foe.
what do you wantT' McNamara In
Quired finally.
II just dropped in to get acquainted
Ny name is Dextry-Joe Dextry-from
everywhere west OF the Missouri. An
your name is Mcnamara, amt it9 This
here, / reckon, is your little French
poodle-ehY' indicating Stillman.
"What do you mean? said McNa-
mara, while the judge murmured in
dignantly.
lust what l say. However, that
amt what want to talk about
don't take no stock In such truck as
judges an lawyers an orders Of court
They amt intended to be took serious.
They're all right for children an east
erners an non compos mentts people.
/ s'poee, but I've always been my own
judge, jury an hangman, an aim to
continue workin' my legislatif. execu-
If an judicial duties to the end of the
string You look outl My pardner Is
young an seems to like the idee Of
lettin' somebody else run his business
30 I'm goin' to give him rein and let
him amuse himself for awhile with
your dinky little writs an receiver
ships. But don't go too far. You can
rob the Swedes, cause Swedss amt
entitled to have no money, an some
ether crook would get 1t If you didn't
but don't play me an Glenister fer
Bcandinavians. It's mistake. We're
white men, an I'm apt to come ro-
I'D here with one Of these an
bust you so you won't hold together
durin' the ceremonies"
With his last words he made the
slightest shifting movement, only
lifting shrug of the shoulder yet in
his palm lay a six shooter He had
slipped 1t from his trousers band with
the ease Of long practice and absolute
surety. Judge Stillman gasped and
backed against the desk, but McNa
mara idly swung his leg as he sat side.
wise ON the table. His only sign of in
terest was q Quickening OF the eyes,
fact Of which Dextry made mental
note.
EYES," said the miner, disregarding
the alarm Of the lawyer, you can wear
this court in your vest pocket like a
Waterbury, If you want to. but If you
don't let me alone, I'll uncoil its main
spring. That's all"
He replaced his weapon and. turning,
walked out the door,