The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-11-08

but inoffensive courtesy. Not yet was
Calliope's melancholy at the danger
point
A quiet, amiable man was Calliope
Catesby at other times-Quiet to indo-
lence and amiable to worthlessness.
At the next morning Calliope was
fit. Inspired by his own barbarous
melodies and the contents of his jug.
he was ready primed to gather fresh
laurels from the diffident brow of
Quicksand. Encircled and crisscross-
ed with cartridge belts. abundantly
garnished with reyolvers and copious-
ly drunk, he poured forth into Quick
surprise and capture town by silent
sortie. he paused at the nearest corner
and emitted his slogan-that fearful,
brassy yell so reminiscent of the steam
piano that had gained for him the
classic appellation that had suppressed
ed his own baptismal name. Follow
ing close upon his vociferation came
three shots from his 45 by way of linn
bering up the guns and testing his aim
Down the street went Calliope.
shooting right and left. Glass fell like
hail: dogs vamoosed: chickens flew,
squawking; feminine voices shrieked
concernedly to youngsters at large
But some four squares farther down
lively preparations were being made
to minister to Mr.. Catesby's love for
interchange of compliments and rep
artee On the previous night numer-
GUS messengers had FASTENED to advise
Buck Patterson. the city marshal. of
Calliope's impending eruption The
patience of that official. often strained
in extending leniency toward the dis
turber's misdeeds. had been overtaxed.
Buck Patterson had been expecting
and awaiting in his little 10 by u
frame Office that preliminary yell an
nouncing that Calliope was feeling
blue. When the signal came the city
marshal rose to his feet and buckled
on his guns Two deputy sheriffs and
three citizens who had proved the ed
ible qualities of fire also stood up.
ready to handy with CaIliope's leaden
jocularities.
Gather that fellow in" said Buck
Patterson. setting forth the lines of
the campaign. Don't have no talk
but shoot as soon as you can get a
show. Keep behind cover and bring
him down"
The splenetic Calliope. unconscious
Of retributive plots. was steaming
down the channel. cannonading on Ell
Their side. when he suddenly became
aware Of breakers ahead The city
marshal and one of the deputies rose
up behind some dry goods boxes half
square to the front and opened fire.
At the same time the rest of the posse,
divided. shelled him from two side
streets.
The first volley broke the lock of one
Of Calliope's guns, cut neat underbit
In his right ear and exploded a car
fridge In his crossbelt. scorching his
ribs as it burst. Feeling braced up by
this unexpected tonic to his spiritual
depression. Calliope executed a fortis-
simo note from his upper register and
returned the fire like an echo.
And now Calliope met the enemy's
tactics In kind. Choosing with a rapid
eye the street from which the weakest
and least accurate fire had come, he
| invaded it at double quick, abandon
| ing the unprotected middle Of the
street With rare cunning the oppos-
| ing force In that direction, one of the
deputies and two of the valorous vol
unteers, waited, concealed by beer bar
rels. until Calliope had passed their
retreat and then peppered him from
the rear. In another moment they
were REINFORCED by the marshal and
his other men, and then Calliope felt
that in order to successfully prolong
| the delights of the controversy he
must find some means of reducing the
great odds against him.
| Not far away was the little railroad
station, its building a strong box
house 10 by 20 feet resting upon
platform four feet above ground.
Windows were in each of its walls.
Calllope made bold and rapid squirt
| for it, the marshal's crowd smoking
him as he ran. He reached the haven
in safety, the station agent leaving the
building by a window.
Patterson and his supporters halted
under protection Of pile of lumber
and held consultations. In the station
was an unterrified desperate who was
an excellent shot and carried an
abundance of ammunition. For thirty
yards on each side of the besieged
was stretch of bare open ground.
Standing near was hand truck
used in the manipulation Of small
freight 1t stood by shed full of
sacked wool, consignment from one
of the sheep ranches. On this truck
the marshal and his men piled three
heavy sacks Of wool. STOPPING low,
Buck Patterson started for Calliope's