The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-08-05


stree, aud the little man was not In
hurry.
The air be whisilel was Annie Laurie.
The llts~ mans hair was 81 a palr
straw color aud his eyes were light blue
lie was straight and trim, although he
walked with his feet rather wide apart
The little man Non a gray suit Of cloth
Of rough texture, his hat was soft AMI
his black lie Wa loose aud flowing. and
Ia his right hand he bore a travelling bag.
He whlstled Annie Laurie ia soft and
lingering fashion an 4 he loved 4, and
occasionally broke oil the whistle and
gently hummed the air,
suddenly an unusual sound drew his ~
lteniion. II came from a distance. lie
PAUSED nj the corner of a cross street,
The sound was repeated II was a quick
snap, like the crack OF a whip. Aud the
whip snapped again.
lie turned and walked down the eros
street Presently he Jaw several men
burning ncross the roadway. They de-
appeared beyond house aud the little
man quickcncd his pace again.
Crack Crack! ii
There was no misialing the sound, Il
came from a revolver. The little man
broke into a tToi.
As he turned the corner he was stopped
by a stout man with heavy whiskcn,
Hold on. snld the stout man
There's danger this way,
The little man stared around, siill soft
Is whistling Then he looked up at the
stout man.
"What appears 20 be the dangcrg" he
asked. His voice was mild aud he spoke
with a little drawl.
Keep out o range, cautioned the
stout man. "We'vc got bad man
pennod up in that cottage across there
Two % them. maybe. though We amt
seen but one-an he's got couple y
guns an pocket full o cartridges.
The little man stared at the cottage
There was no sign OF life about Il.
What's tn bad man done, for in
stance" he dnwled.
stabbed, another Teller down at III
railroad saloon. an then shot Constable
Jim Hecker Nthro' tn arm. He's half
drunk an all ugly
The little man nodded.
Pretty good shot!'
"lep. Just moment ago he put
bullet thro' III sheriif's hat
"Sheriif in charge here"
yep. He's in the house jest opposite.
Hold on there" 49,,
But he was too late The. little man
had darted in the nearest back yard and
was climbing fence:
A moment later he faced the army
veteran whose grateful fellow citizens mad
held him in the sheriff's office for many
years. 80,
"Uowdy. sheriff. said the little man.
The gray old soldier looked down al
him.
"Who are you!" he sharply asked.
The little man smiled.
Thought mebby you might, appreciate
volunteer" He stopped the sheriff 5
peppery response with quick gesture.
I'm some acquainted with bad men" he
The sheriff studied the little mans
face. Then he slowly smiled =,
whats your advicey he presently |
asked. ;.
The little man put down his travelling
bag and laid his hat on it.
THE taking of advice is the beginning
OF action" he said. DO you want the
fellow killed." .r a.,
we don't want him to kill anybody else.
We're thinking of starving him out.
The little man shook his head.
''Too slow" he said. HE may have
plenty of supplies in that shack an you
can afford TO tie up tn street to gratiiy
rushing him?"
The sheriff called to man who was
peering cautiously through front WIN
dow.
Jim Thompson" said the veteran
wants 10 rush him. =, ,.o,
Got family, JIM" the little man
pleasantly asked.
Eyes" :, !,
"The lob amt for you, Jim" said the
smiling stranger If anybody does any
rushin | reckon I'm tn man to DO u;
But | amt at all sure that any rushin
is required" H.
The sheriff and his young deputy stared
Crack! went the revolver. of the man
across the way. 1t was followed by the
tinkle of falling glass. -,
Your friend wants YOU to know he's
still wide awake" laughed the little, man.
"But there's no use lettin' him break any
more good glass. Can you get me
somewheres|
you'll have to catch HIM, tore you lie
him. said the sheriff with sudden
smile. 49,,
"Surc." replied the little man. :,
"Well. wait a minute" said the old
soldier 81 don't know you. This Is my
lob and my responsibility. You tumbled
down on me out of the clouds an seem
to want to step in an run things to SUIT
You may be the man that can
do it an yon may be lunatie' HOW am
| to know" ro,, ..,.,l
the little man. ,
1T can't be helped" said the little man
with sigh. "An' yet | fancy my looks
have helped me some at times People
don't count on much from runts.
"See here" said the sheriff, who are
you?" ,.u,
INV name is Mech" replied the little
man. Jim Mech I'm from Arizona
Some O. tn boys call me Rather inn.
That's cause I'm death on rattlers. Ever
shoot at snakes head when twas sway D.,
n .,N SS 3" the le' sheriff hastily replied
"Finest pistol practice in tn world; !
mo me lie suddenly smiled "Some
! them knew me in tn line o business,
mt that's a good while ago. An I've
,een a sheriff myself. -,
The old sheriff looked INTO the paie
due eyes. ~, r ,ou4;ou .
are ;; he slowly said II reckon it en-
III v on to rV look in at this little game
Snosin' I made you a Deputy" i.
Coed" RESPONDED the man from. ART
ona @An' now for tn clotheslne. n
When The rope was brought the little n
,,an locked il over carefully. Then he y
NOTED running moose in it and coiled
IN! IN COIN 10 make jump for tn tree
bere-tI,' one by TIL curb he said. He s.
ant hit me. ! amt a good mark -r, u
as out from tn side of tn house. The, b
minute or two later III get to IN \
rec across til road. It's plenty thick "
nough to shelter me. I'll have tn, tel a
ow worried then He'll take AXE eh Rnf sa 70 n
beriff don't let your boys do any shoot o
they shoot in tn air. I'm "
nore afraid o them than I am OF tn