The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-02-11
THE LAST TRAIL OF
JESSE BOLANDE

Rapid CITY was an extreme example
OF picturesque but unwholesome
, community. -
The incumbent of the marshalcy OF
Rapid City had won his exalted posi-
ton solely because no one could recall
a time when he had been either dila-
tory for a fatal moment, or inaccurate
for an effective hair's-breadth.
So when he issued an edict against
carrying guns inside the city limits
the cowpunchers took out their re-
venge in oaths and threats against the
next election; and, from the very day
after the edict, the place Of the pistol
knew it no more.
Rapid City had managed to survive
about week of this uncomfortable,
negative virtue when Jesse Bolande
rode into town at about four in the
afternoon. He had been on his range
all week. and as he stood at the I'M
mirrored bar of Keno Jim's place"
he listened to the new state of affairs
with many an oath of incredulous
amaze.
The marshal and Bolande were old
friends. They had once moiled on
| ragged claim upon the mountains to-
gether; they had stood back to back
In skirmishes with savages.
When the marshal entred the sa-
/ loon, he did not, at first, see Bolande's
| revolver, and there was an unre-
strained cordially in the How" with
| which he greeted him, while the
| warmth Of Bolande's answer strove
with pacificatory uneasiness.
When finally the CLINT Of Bolande's
dingy weapon struggled through the
smoke of the room to the marshars
eye, he said, quietly, that the others
might not hear: Jesse stick your gun
behind the bar till you're leavin'
town. Can't let you tote your irons in
this mans town now"
tOwnn' this place now, are you, mar.
shal?" There was too little subtility
| in Bolande's information to deceive the
marshal in it's portent and he flung
back sharp reply: ANY skin of you,
If L do?"
And Bolande Gained before the 9TH
himself again, murmured: Nope. But
thar'l be some off the man that tries
| to take my gun away"
Almost pleadingly the quiescent
marshal answered: Jesse, I'll give
you till six o'clock to put up your gun
or pull your freight out of this
Still more unassumingly. but still
more firmly, Bolande answered. You
will find me right here at six. Bring
your nerve with you, marshal. Have
| drink"
Don't mind IL do, Jesse Here's
| how" and they drained the martyr
dom with unf1inching gusto.
The marshal evidently thought 1t
only right to give his old friend three
minutes of grace, for it was little
| after the hour when his step was
heard on the board walk outside
With epic equality and speed the
| weapons leaped into position.
Almost reverentially the partisans
OF each lifted his limp majesty from
the sticky pool of his own blood and
| both were carried upstairs to lit
tie room in the hotel.
| They placed cot near the mar
shars bed. Outside, the red glory Of
| the prairie sunset was thrilling the
earth to a responsive flush Within
the room was greater glory, the
austere passing Of two grante-cour-
| aged heroes.
| The sinewy hands of the twain lay
clasped outside the coverlet.
Bolande was the first to find power
for speech.
Are you easy, marshall"
Easy as kid in a cradle. Jess.
How're they comm on your side9"
Same here, old man. But I'm goin'
fast"
You won't beat me out five min
utes, Jess
At length the marshal looked a re-
quest and one Of the men bent over
to hear his feeble mutterings, then
went out and returned with two glass
es OF whisky on cracked plate.
| Across the marshals face fiuttered
the wan ghost of smile, and he
spoke tetween fierce gulps OF pain.
| "Ycl-stood the--last treat Jess.