The Newark journal., 1911-12-15

Johnny; "and thereu be next time. !" He backed rapidly out the door.
 The cattlemen swept out upon him, calling for vengeance.
 But the sortie failed in It's ven geance. McRoy was on his horse and away, shouting back curses and threats as he galloped into the con- cealing chaparral.
 That night was the birthnight of the F'rio Kid. He became the bad man" of that portion of the state. The rejection of his suit by Miss McMul- len turned him to a dangerous man. When officers went after him for the shooting of Carson, he killed two of them, and entered upon the life of an outlaw. When he was. at last shot ican who was nearly dead himself from fright. the Eric Kid had the deaths of IS men on his head.
 Many tales are told along the bor- der of his impudent courage and daring. But he was not one of the
  sons of generosity and even of soft ness. They say he never had mercy on the object of his anger. Yet at this and every Christmastide 1t is well to give each one credit, f 1t can be done, for whatever speck of good he may have possessed. If the Eric Kid ever did kindly act or felt a throb of generosity in his heart It was once at such a time and season. and this is the way 1t happened:
 One December in the Frio country rode the Frio Kid and his Satellite and co-murderer, Mexican Frank. The Kid refined in his mustang, and sat in his saddle. thoughtful and grim, with dangerously narrowing eyes.
 T don't know what I been thinking about. Mex" he remarked in his usual mild drawl, ito have forgot all about Christmas present got to give. I'm going to ride over tomorrow night and shoot Madison Lane in his own house. He got my girl-Rosita would have had me If he hadn't cut into the game I wonder why I happened to overlook it up to noW?"
 "Ah, shucks, Kid" said Mexican, don't talk foolishness. You know you cant get within a mile of Mad Lanes house tomorrow night. I see old man Allen day before yesterday, and he says Mad is going to have Christmas doings at his house. You remember how you shot up the festivities when Mad was married, and about the threats you made? Don't you sup pose Mad Lane'll kind of keep his eye open for a certain MT Kid? You plumb make me tired, Kid, with such remarks"
 I'm going" repeated the Frio Kid. without heat ito go to Madison Lanes Christmas doings, and kill him. ought to have done it long time ago"
 There's other ways of committing suicide" advised Mexican. "Why don't you go and surrender to the sheriff?"
 "In get him." said the Kid
 Christmas eve fell as balmy as April. Perhaps there was a hint of far-away frostiness in the air, but it tingled like seltzer, perfumed faintly with late prairie blossoms and the mesquite grass.
 When night came the five or six rooms Of the ranch house were bright ly lit. In one room was a Christmas tree. for the Lanes had boy of three, and dozen or more guests were ex- pected from the nearer ranches.
 The guests had arrived in buck boards and on horseback, and were making themselves comfortable inside
 The evening went along pleasantly The guests enjoyed and praised Rosi- ta's excellent supper, and afterward the men scattered in groups about the rooms or on the broad gallery" smoking and chatting.
 The Christmas tree, of course, de- lighted the youngsters, and above all were they pleased when Santa Claus himself in magnificent white beard and furs appeared and began to distribute the toys.
 Its my papa" announced Billy Sampson, aged six.
 Berkiy. sheepman, an old friend of Lane. stopped Rosita as she was pass ing by him on the gallery,
 Well. Mrs. Lane" said he, T sup pose by this Christmas you've gotten over being afraid of that fellow Me.