Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-13

that saloon. FIVE men were lettering /!
about. each man wearing a spmbrero, /
most OF them a stubble beard aboat 4
an eighth or an inch long, a WOODEN !
shirt and two revolvers strapped to thu
belt. Their faces were red from fire.
quent potations, and they were ther
hanging about the place laying fo'
some one TO buy them a drink.
Bill entered with the man he had
invited TO Join him. The two stepped
up 10 the bar and called for whisky.
They were about 10 drink it when one
of the loungers coming forward. said:
See yere. gents. what kind o man.
ners do you call them. drinkin' by your
selves without an invite for any other
gent present.
Its not the custom" Bill responded.
'in the country from which we came
20 ask persons 70 drink simply be-
cause they happen TO be on hand"
well. it's the rule yere.'
lis IT enforcedT'
"You bet" And the man slapped the
revolver on his right hip with his
hand
I've always heard" continued Bill
cOOlly. that yon gentlemen in this
country. whatever you do. play fair.
My friend and are unarmed. and |
! don't think il would be straight game
for you TO take a drink out OF US n the
point of pistol
The loiterers who had stood up TO
back their spokesman seemed TO differ
as TO this proposition, some of them
| taking the ground that since II was the
custom 1t didn't matter how ii was en-
forced. others declaring that the stran-
/ ger was right BE should be allowed
/ TO go for a weapon. after which. If he
/ would rather fight than set up the
/ drinks, be could begin shooting as soon
as he liked.
81 couldn't hit a barn door with a
gun" said Bill. but / wouldn't mind
a fight with fists That wouldn't do
either. There isn't any OF you here
who would be a match for me-"
The loiterers held a conference. and
one Of them, thinking he could tackle
the stranger. offered to do so. Bill
shook his head 1T wouldn't be a fair
match he said. I'm too heavy for
you" Then. after a moments pause.
he added: There's n young man trav-
cling with me who / think would about
do for you. If you don't mind refer.
ring the dispute TO him l don't mind
either"
''Trot him out" was the reply to
this.
Bill asked the man be had invited to
drink TO go for his friend. and Johnny
soon came into the saloon. His ap-
pearance at once excited a guffaw. the
object of which stood looking some
what puzzled. Bill explained the sit.
uatiOn 10 him and, turning TO tbs
crowd. said
Hes a Aetter man than he looks.
but II any of you gentlemen wants to
bet you can knock him out | wOuldn I
object to going you for a small amount
on IT,"
There was another conference, which
resulted in the scraping together OF
SO, ali there was among the western
ers. and they nominated ii man they
called Biz bunker TO stand up against
the little fellow and win similar
amount 10 be put up by Bill. The
stage driver was called in for stake
holder. and a ring was formed on the
level ground before the saloon John
ny took off his coat and vest. retaining
his shirt. Had he dotted this also
some surprise might have been created
at the muscle lying under the sofr
white skin of his arm AS it was
Johnny didn't show for much more
than when his coat was on bin.
His antagonist stood six feet one II
his stockings and was a powerful man
The only thing against him was the
use of too much liquor, and he coulC
not be expected to last very lon;
against one of equal strength. Realiz
ing this element of weakness. he wen
at Johnny like a bull. intending T.
crush him out at once. But Johnny
pirouetted like a dancing master anC
before his enemy could recover deal
l him q smart blow on the nose tina
drew first blood
lis hlbl FBlSOut NduSeu IuOSt WI
had calculated to win a little none,
TO doubt the ease with which it coult
: be obtained. Johnny didn't seem in
4 hurry TO tackle his enemy, keeping Of
the defensive. But il soon became az
. parent TO the bystanders that Their
a was a cat and a mouse game going OF
only the mouse was playing with tn
: cat TO the cats discontinue. The bi
man struck out with blows heav
enough to break every bone in bis al
tagonist's body, but the body was ney
er in the place at which he aimed
n Johnny sldestepped and ducked an
4 fell back, his enemy vainly trying I
( find him with his big fist.
q The westerner soon lost his win
and from that time staggered abou
like the hulk Of a derelict tossed
+ the waves.
81 don't want to hurt him." john
2 replied, still dancing about in a circl
4 Presently the big man gathered h
e forces for a final effort. Johnny dive
between his legs, rose and landed b!
enemy on his back
. I l. a.,