Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-02-04
An atmospheric Delusion.


to the ranch of Franklin Dolbeare OF
the evening of the 10Th of October
1889, he found trouble in the house
hold. Dolbeare was coDsumptiv'
who had gone from the east with hi
wife and two little children to live IL
Colorado in the hope of regainlng hi
health. The cause of the trouble wa
Jim Newell. That's all any one eve
knew about it. Why Newell wa
bent on killing Dolbeare was secre
that neither gave out. Anyway
every one sympathized with Dolbeare
first, because he was pleasant, milo
hammered man, second, because h'
was sick, and third, because he hac
the loyeliest wife in the world anc
two Of the prettiest children. Pike
who had been sent for : by Mrs. Dol
beare, found that lady waiting for him
in the living room.
Ned" she said, Newell has writ,
ten Frank letter saying that ne will
shoot him en- sight unless he consents
to more regular way of meeting. l
got the letter, opened it, and haven
said anything to Frank about 1t. For
heavens sake try and get rid oil NV
ell without letting Frank know. In
his condition he isn't able to think
about it, much less stand up and
fight"
1T wouldn't be fight. 1t would be
murder" said Pike.
Cant you do something2
Pike took some tobacco from his
pocket, rolled a cigarette, lighted 1t,
gave a few thoughtful puffs and said:
How long has Newell been up
here?"
"He came yesterday.
Ever been in these parts before?
mot that | know of.
A few more deliberate puffs.
"Just don't you worry, Mrs. Dol
beare, and don't say anything to any
body. I'll see what can be done.
With that he went out, mounted his
horse and rode away. Later, after
making inquiries as to where Newell
might be found, he rode up to an
adobe house, where he saw his man
sitting on the porch.
"Mr. Newell p he asked.
"Yes2 ?" said the other, with slight
start and placing bis hand where ne
could more easily grasp his revolver.
I've got a message for you from
Franklin DJlbeare. He'll meet you
tomorrow morning just before Sunup."
"All right. When7 Where p
"You stayin' here ?"
eyes"
"Well, you start from here with one
elk shooter al 5 o'clock exactly and
walk up the road. On the way you'll
meet your man with another elk
shooter. You can crack away as soon
as you like. He'll do the same. Is
that satisfactory ?"
"Yes; that suits me as well as any
way"
Late that night Pike rode up to the
ranch and asked Mrs. Dolbeare for a
suit of her husbands clothes.
She gave him what he wanted with
anxious inquiry in her face, but asked
no questions. Pike gave her no in
formation. Before daylight the next
morning he had shaved off his beard
and put on Dolbeare's suit. Then he
drew his sombrero over his eyes. look
ed at the clock, examined his revolver
and started at slow pace down the
road.
1t was cloudless, crisp autumn
morning. The altitude was 1000 feet
above sea level, and the neighboring
peaks stood out clear cut against the
slowly lighting sky. Presently the
cowboy squrtted behind bush at the
side Of the road, waited and watched.
Ten minutes later Newell turned a
bend and appeared plainly in sight
Pike waited Newell came on. Sud.
denly Pike left the bush and appeared
in the road. The nom mt Newell saw
him be raised his revolver and fred,
but without effect Then he fred two
more shots, and as he saw his enemy
still advance unharmed he appeared
to be astonisbed. But at that mo.
| ment Pike fired a shot. This drew
another from Newell, making four
Pike fired two shots in succession and
Newell fred one.
Pike row had three shots IN his re-
volver to Newell's one. Pike stopped
and appeared to be taking a deliber
ate aim. His enemy, fearing be
would this time surely be hit. fred bis
Lost shot