Bridgeton pioneer., 1910-09-01


wasn't a single word that the most
fastidious lady could object to. 1t was
jest us smooth and gentle as going to
meeting ou Sunday in Boston.
Enter Jim Harry.
"There sat Thomas Keene, ESQ,
with his two guns and knife and his
reputation as dangerous man, and
there stood Jim Harry with a grin on
his face and not so much as straw in
his hands. Somebody orter have come
along with a kodak: but, alas. he didn't,
and the chance to get an old master Of
a picture was lost.
"Mebbe you are thinking that after
Tom worked up the froth and the fero-
cious expression he jumped to his feet,
pulled his weapons and drove Jim far,
far away. For the honor of old wy
oming l wish it was so, but it wasn't.
How was it. then? Why sim keeps
a-looking ct h:m and bimeS, pints a
finger at him and tells him to git
Does the ferocious and desperate Tom
depart? He doth.
"Yes, gentleman. though this court
hates to dwell on sich scenes of sad
ness. he must dwell on this one long
huff to say that Thomas Keene, Esq,
made sneak without drawing a gun
or hourishing a knife; just went like
a good leetle Sunday skule kiddy.
Where did he go? What was his pro-
gram for the future? Did he withdraw
to the hills to get his nerve and then
come back for regular slaughter?
Not quite!
Knowing that I was court, he ap-
pears at the Red Dog saloon jest as
am holding a big hand at poker. He
comes on a canter. He is out of breath.
His eyes are hanging out as he gasps:
"'Jedge. I want jestice!
"'What sort of jesticeT
"'The most monstrous kind Of jes-
tice'
whats happened?'
"'Jim Harry has jumped my claim
"'How many guns did he have|
mary one
"'And how many shots did you freY
"'None 'tallr
The Court "Upsot."
"'You didn't fill Jim full of leadY
"Tm no taker of human life. I'm
for letting the law take its course. You
are the law. Gimme a warrant and
have Jim arrested
Gentlemen. if ary one Of you feel
like weeping real tears at this juno
ture the court won't stop you. It's
huff to lift a dead kyote outer his un-
hallowed grave. No wonder that the
mountings of old Wyoming are rock
ing to their base as they feel the dis
grace! When critter comes to me for
law l must give 1t to him. That's
what court is for. In hopes to save
the honor of the country / offered to
send a man back with Tom to help
shoot Jim off the claim. but not a
step would he move. He jest sot there
and hollered for jestice. and 1 had to
send constable out to bring the jump
er in.
"Yere's the complainant, and yere's
the defendant, and it won't trouble the
court much TO reach a decision. Jim
Harry is fined 50 and costs for going
around soaring tenderfoots and spoil
ing my full house hand in game Of
poker. However, shall at the same
time order the plaintiff to hand over
one of his guns to him as a living
memorial of the event.
"As for Thomas Keene. Esq, he will
be removed from this temple of jestice
without much undoo delay and booted
across the creek When once across 1t
will be safer for him to remain ON
that side and seek to mingle with us
no more. Before his removal he will
pay jestice So in cash and hand over
the other gun for safe keeping. He kin
retain the bowie knife to cut butter
with. Jestice being satisfied and we
having done our best to wipe the stain
from our escutcheon. we will now pro-
ceed to adjourn and line up for the
booting. Constable, take charge of the
ferocious Thomas"