Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1910-02-03

Gene Johnson.
81 haven't any, Gene" returned
Smith, with perfect simplicity. "My
only plan is to ride into town and
serve my papers, If can. I've got a
deputyship-and that I'm going to do
right away. If you, Bob. or both of
you, will happen in about 80 minutes
later you'll get the news and perhaps
see the fun. Much obliged for your
feed Gene; come down to Medicine
Bend any time and I'll fill you up.
fall, remember that. Bucks is coming,
and is going to bring Brown and Hen
son and perhaps Atterbury and Gibbs
and some New Workers; and Nc
Clouds brother, the preacher, is COM
ing out and they are all right-all of
them"
The only street in Orovile faces the
river, and the buildings string for two
or three blocks along modest bluffs
Not soul was anywhere in sight
when Whispering Smith rode into
town, save that across the street from
where he dismounted and tied his
horse three men stood in front of the
Blackbird.
They watched the new arrival with
languid interest. Smith walked stiffiy
over toward the saloon to size up the
men before he should enter 1t. The
middle man of the group, with thin
red face and very blue eyes, was chew
N hi In, ,s.s,r
Before Smith was halfway across the
street he saw the hands of the three
men falling to their hips. Taking
care. however only to keep the men
between him and the saloon door,
Smith walked directly toward them.
Boys, have you happened to see Gene
or Bob Johnson to-day, any of your"
He threw back the brim of his stetson
as he spoke.
Hold your hand right there-right
where it u.s. said the blue-eyed man
sharply.
Whispering Smith smiled, but held
his hand rather awkwardly upon his
hat-brim
NO." continued the spokesman, 1--WE
amt none of us happened to see Bob
or Gene johnson to-day; but we hap
pen to seen Whispering Smith, and
we'll blow your face off If you move
it an inch"
Smith laughed. Il never quarrel
with man that's got the drop on me,
boys. Now, this is sudden but unex-
pected. Do l know any of you?" He
looked from one face to another be-
fore him with wide reach in his
field OF vision for the three hands that
were fast on three pistol-butts. Hold
on! I've met you somewhere" he
said with easy confidence to the blue
eyed man with the weather-split lip.
Williams Cache, wasn't 1T? All right,
we're placed. Now what have you got
in for me?"
I've got 40 head Of steers in for
you" answered the man in the middle,
with a splitting oath. You stole 40
head of my steers in that roundup,
and I'm going to fill you so full of lead
you'll never run off no more stock for
nobody. Don't look over there to your
horse or your rife. Hold your hands
right where they are"
Certainly, certainly"
When | pull, / shoot"
Il don't always do 1t, but 1t is bust.
ness, l acknowledge When a man
pulls he ought to shoot-very often it's
the only chance he ever gets to shoot.
Well, it isn't every man gets the drop
hot h,,t No. Il
got it," continued Whispering Smith
in frank admiration. only | want to
say you're after the wrong man. That
roundup was all Rebstock's fault and
Rebstock is bound to make good all
loss and damage"
You'll make good my share of it
right now and here" said the. man
with the wash-blue eyes.
why. of course" assented Whisper
ing Smith, ''if l must, | must I sup
pose | may light cigarette, boys, be-
fore you turn loose the freworks?"
Light it quick!"
Laughing at the hllmor of the situa-
ton, Whispering Smith, his eyes
beaming with good nature, put the
finger and thumb of his right hand
into his waistcoat pocket, drew out
package of cigarette paper, and, ban
tering his captors innocently the
while, tore out sheet and put the
packet back. Folding the paper in his
two hands, he declared he believed his
tobacco was in his saddle-pocket, and
asked leave to step across the street
to get it. The trick was too transpar-
ent, and leave was refused with scorn
and some hard words. Whispering
Smith begged the men in front of him
In turn for tobacco. They cursed him
and shook their heads.
For an instant he looked troubled.
Still appealing to them with his eyes,
he tapped lightly the lower outside
pockets of his coat with his fingers,
shifting the cigarette paper from hand
20 hand as he hunted. The outside
pockets seemed empty. But as he
tapped the inside breast pocket on the
left side Of the coat--the three men,
lynx-eyed, watcfing-his face bright
anad "Stanto said he hic vc;oa ei,l,