The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-05-01

nces that are two-thirds saloon and |
the rest hotel. There are usually two
In town, and II you stop at one you
wish you had stopped at the other. II
you have genial disposition, after
supper you will sit around and smoke
In the large room that serves as lobby,
barroom and Office, besides containing
the appurtenances for billiards, cards
and such other games as are popular
on that section of the map.
When the house becomes hot and
smoke-filled beyond liberation you and
others go outside and lounge on the
stoop, or on the exceedingly hard
ground, and very likely you swap
stories.
Seven Or eight of us had reached
that point in trying to forget an ever
lastingly hot night. Cowhands, farm
ers and some hard to classify, strag-
gled out of the barroom of the ma
liciously named Hotel Comfort, and lis
tened to the highly favored tales, and
contributed their own of the same
quality.
Il being a stranger, was little
timid about breaking into the talk, but
during lull hazarded remark:
Il don't want to be curious about
things shouldn't" said, "but saw
dignified old man inside playing
solitaire, and he had a bullet hole in
his left ear. have been wondering
ever since how he got it,"
There was a general laugh, and a
drawing, high-pitched voice spoke.
You're a stranger here. amt your
my first trip in this piece of coun-
try" replied.
THAT old man is ledge Buck" said
the voice. Most of us know how he
get that there dent in his ear. But as
there amt been a new story sprung
here in over two years, guess the
boys can stand for me telling you
about it."
Nobody objected, probably because
of lack of energy. and the DRAWER
lighted another cigarette. The fare
of the match showed tanned, lined
face and keen eyes.
"A daredevil gang used to STAMP
hereabouts," the speaker continued
"They were mostly fresh young
ropers, one or two horse traders, few
no-account chaps-and me. We used
to hunt. trouble for the love of 1t
When we couldn't find any We manu-
featured it. There wasn't law or maj
we were afraid of.
1--WE. had leader called Red Mike
He had forgotten tho word fear was IL
the language He was strong. too, ant
lightning with his shooter. But all
us were those things about as much
Red Mike. 1t was his master min
that let him hold his job.
when the rest of us were shootin
up saloon, or such trifie, and wishin
f1yr bit of real hell, Red would wor
up doings juicy with excitement. H
could smell opportunities. and you be
he always steered us into the hotties
action.
1--WE generally used to cluster ev'
nings in Yellow Grass Gulch, and as
Red If anything was doing likely
tear q hole in the calm. Sometime
Red had only middling good plan
such as turning loose the prisoners
the county Jail. just for the fun I
rounding 'em up.
but one night he sprang schen
that had even us swearing with a
miration.
brace up, boys he said, there
going to be doings tonight. Old jed
Buck sold 5000 head Of cattle to-ds
He's got the cash locked up in b
store at Browns Corners. The Q
tightfist is sitting over the wad wi
a shotgun.
"'we're going to make him break
record and loosen up. Well kind
provide him with generosity. o
part is to grab the coin and then ha
feast at Hud Hinkey's boozery!'
THAT was little stiff, even for
We had SHE'D away from the swipi
game. But do you suppose we he
tated? We whooped and shouted II
Red was a great man and ought to
president Of the United States.
1T was moonlight. and as nice a
cool as you could ask for, with not
mite of wind--a very devil of nj;
for making a man feel he could wal
the universe with his hands tied. ]
horses felt II, too. and as we gallon
along, singing and, laughing, We s
den-like heard noise.
"'Hands up!'
"Them words snapped out in vo
that brought us sitting up stif. Ev
man of us raised his fists. A score
guns went up too AID spit toward
sound
.Then. by gum, into the moonlit
with a CUR in eacl hand. rode s
Johnson. Slim wasn't so much
we knew he could shoot the eyebrt
on you with either hand. and di'
want no better fun than to try 1t.
..rIang II Slim Red Mike vel