Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-04-21


the cabin door on Number Three with
the determination to break the news
as gently as possible; and at about
the same time Jim Upton was ex-
planning his forebodings to the widow
In the camp below.
Then came several days of waiting.
with nearly every one in the camp
making bets as to which one Of the
contestants would win out at the next
encounter. and all expectant and ar
gumentative.
The result of this was that pretty
nearly every man In Mariposa had
taken sides, and was ready II 1t came
to final settlement to enlist actively
In the war. Sympathiss we're about
evenly divided. and things were quiet
at night because nearly all the par.
tisans were busily engaged in the
back ends of their cabins cleaning uD
their weapons. 1t promised to be
warm.
Both Jim and the widow had disap-
peared from the rude public gaze. ana
wsre said to have gone to Burdick to
consult other lawyers. Bill was 70
ported to be too busy nursing Doc
and guarding Number Three to APP
pear in the camp; and only the bull
dog was left to howl dismally In an
improvised kennel until his mistress
should call for him.
And In the meantime the lawyers
were busy, and fussy, and important,
most Of them being very young men
or very old men who had come to the
West because their talents didn't
seem to be in demand elsewhere,
The break came Unexpectedly. A
man on horseback. partisan Of the
Biil-Esmerelda faction. pulled up one
afternoon IN front Of Bills cabin and
hailed. Bill came to the door and
peered out. his fingers clutched on .
rife-barrel behind the door until he
could recognise the character Of re-
ception awaiting him. q
BILL" the rider said, throwing one
leg over the pommel of his saddle
and dexterously rolling q cigarette.
"Jim's back from up at Burdick, but
he amt got nothin' to say. He jest
materially came in on the stage with
that wilder of his'n. acted grouchy as
usual, and pulled out with her for his
claim over on Goldpan."
"Yesi" said Bill. emerging from the
door and looking disconsolately at his
friend
Thought I'd better come by an
tell you, SOS you can keep on the
lookout. No tellin' whatu happen
next, now them lawyers is fightin'."
Lawyers fghtin' now.
Yes, they We got into q row among
'emselves. each one In the camp
claimin' he saw you an Jim first.
Three of ennis dissolved partnership
and are fightin' over which one the
case belongs to-"
"Humph! Yes?"
"You see. Number Thres's q good
piece Of ground. an they kalkerlate
there's fat pickin' comm in some.
where when 1t gifts to trial"
Thanks, pal" And the door shut
with bang. This was the limit. Bill
| walked up and down and thought out
q solution which resulted in . trip
to camp by the nov-recovered Doc
on the following morning.
1t was late on the following even.
ing when Bill. contented and whist.
ling, his mind made up, crashed
through the brush on the hillside OF
Goldpsn, and came cautiously down
into the nat in front Of Jim's cabin
He was wise as to the frontier, and
being on an errand Of peace. came
unarmed and Internationally whistlins
and swinging his idle hands.
Jim saw him, made a quick reach
for his gun. and then slowly dropped
his fingers away at the evident signs
OF amity. He advanced to meet his
enemy, and waited quietly for him
TO approach within speaking distance
Hello. there. jim" said Bill, and
without waiting for return of his
saIutation. continued: Eve got nc
shootin-irons on my belt and no i'll
win in my head. I've come to b
friends with you. Jim. II you'll lei
me-"
Jim paused a moment and peersd
at him from under his heavy gra,
eyebrows. and then. as II satisfied, OK
tended his hand. which was tightly
gripped. They stood awkwardly TO,
moment, each waiting for words