The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-05-06
after us, though Slim added, sus-

after us, though Slim added, sus-
piciously.
"'Well, that wasn't exactly what
we're figuring to do said Mike, when
he could talk for laughing. 'You-all
had better ride along with u.s.
slim got the girl from where she
was hid, and We moseyed along the
trail, Red Mike telling Johnson what
We were up to- We wanted Slim to
join us, but he said he couldn't do that.
Pretty soon Slim and the girl fell a lit
tie behind and We could hear her tell
ing him he ought to help her old man.
But Slim knew us bettey than to try.
I'm about half an hour we got to
Browns Corners. We hiked over to
the store, and, by gum, there was the
jedge setting inside with big duck
gun acrost his knees. When he saw
us he knew We weren't there for no
good. He had sand, though, and came
out and said he'd plug the first man of
us who came within shifting distance
of the mazuma
date off a dime) let go 4S-caliber pill
that sent the gun flying out of the old
mans hands. We yelled and started
to rush inside, when Slim ran up the
steps and turned around on us.
Il felt real panied, for l knew II
Slim was going to try to stop us, he
was likely to get awful unpopular.
Boys Slim said, 'you-all have got
all night for this job. Lots Of time.
Now, Maria and l want to get married,
and | want you to help me make the
ledge hitch us up
The bunch saw the beauty of the
situation and just howled with de-
light When the ledge saw his daugh-
ter he was plumb crazy. He said
things, but we couldn't hear them for
the whooping of the boys. He stood
up there in the moonlight, red and
excited and swearing, and we were
about drunk with joy.
slim and Maria got off their horses.
Slim waved his arms until he could
make himself heard. Then he grabbed
the girl and squared off to the ledge.
He explained that he and Maria was
going to splice and it might as well
be done right there.
"I'll see you both shot first, you
red headed horse thief the ledge
shouted his face all twisted up with
mad
Now Slim was good-natured
enough, but the ledge was pricking
him on a painful incident of his ex-
IRENE youth. He yanked out a gun.
You'll marry us right now, or I'll
put a bullet plumb through YOU he
shouted.
You haven't the grit, you pony
grnbber.' yelled the ledge.
by gum, Slim let fly and bored His
Honor in the left ear.
Nov will your he beloved, not
hearing Maria, who was squalling.
The ledge was driveling, but he
wasn't so mad he couldn't see Slim
was in the deadest kind of earnest.
Stand UP. confound YOU the
ledge cried, shaking his fists.
Slim Johnson, you no-good coyote,
do you take that willful hussy aside
you TO be your wife,
Yes, you old heathen,' shouted
Slim. And you-all keep your mouth
shut Of calling that girl names.
Maria, you goodfor-nothing vixen,
said the ledge, getting madden all the
oninu tn fnka that
dering idiot, Slim Johnson, as your
husband"
81 be- Maria said.
| pronounce you man and wife
and disown you, drat you The ledge
was so full of angry he couldn't even
swear The boys cheered and whooped
it up for Slim, but right in the middle
of it, Slim showed Maria inside the
store and faced around beside the
Jedge, with his guns drawn.
Now, boys he said, git
For minute we was stunned. Red
Mike swelled up indignant, but before
he could explode Slip cut in:
"Tm thankful to you, boys, for how
you've helped me. But the ledge is
my old man now, and before you get
him you'll have to get me, too
Il don't know what would have hap
pened. But just for a minute We was
undecided like. The ledge was no
bodys fool, and he saw that something
had to be done mighty quick.
Boys, he holered, 1 reckon If you
had my cash you would leave it over
to Bud Hnkey's. So you-all go over
to his place and spree on me for a
week
Hes loosened up, boys,' one of
us yelled.
THAT started 'em off, and the boys
shouted and laughed and charged over
to Hinkeys."
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