The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-08-07
His Little
Boy $ Pistol
Bv THOMAS r. DUNN

u III
was the only law on the statute book.
But even that was an unwritten law,
for there was no statute books to write
1t I'm. A young man. dressed In the
ordinary business costume OF New
York or Chicago or Philadelphia or
any other eastern city. got out OF
the coach with the other passengers
and went into the tavern. He asked
IL there were any letters for him. The
landlord handed him one. He read it
and hunted through his pockets for his
cigar case. Not finding it at once, he
took out seven articles while making
the search among them small pistol.
Several men, denizens of the coun-
try. were lounging about. among them
a red faced man with Il stubble beard
and as many scars on his face as a
German student member Of dueling
corps. This man caught sight Of the
new arrivals pistol, and 1t at once ex-
cited his interest.
''Lemme see that, stranger he said.
The young man handed him the pis-
tol, and he looked it over with evident
pleasure and amusement.
Purity, isn't it," he remarked.
He continued to examine it, cooking
and unlocking it. Meanwhile the
stranger found his cigar case and, lean
ing a chair up on its hind legs against
the wall, sat down on it. resting his
heels on the front round and. lighting
a cigar, smoked.
"What do you do with it," inquired
the red faced man.
The stranger smoked on without
any reply. His sang froid ex-
cited the attention of the bystanders,
who commenced to move uneasily
away. The man who asked the ques-
ton was Scar Joe, so called from the
traces Of his many fights. He was
not used to asking questions and re-
ceiving no reply. He cast single
glance at the stranger and went on
cooking and unlocking the revolver.
Coin to make a birthday gift Of 1t
to your little boy?" he asked
Still no reply.
Twill it shoot?" persisted Scar Joe.
This third question eliciting no reply,
the westerner took quick aim at the
strangers cigar and fired, and cigar
and sparks left the smokers lips.
He didn't turn pale. He didn't look
1t Scar Joe reproachfuily or fearfully
)r any other way. He didn't look at
him at all He simply took out anoth-
,r cigar. lighted it and went on smok-
ng.
Does shoot, don't it? Shoots purity
straight, don't it? / wonder If | could
10 it again."
He fired a second shot with like re-
suits. The stranger remained as i'm
as before, taking out an
,ther cigar and lighting it with as lit
lie apparent objection to this waste Of
,igars as if he were loaded down with
hem. Again Scar Joe sent 1t flying
amid a shower of sparks.
stranger" said the smoker in soft
,oice, you're one Of the best shots l
ever saw. That pistol I've brought
rom the east as present for my wife.
I'VE got another for my little girl that
I'll bet you can't hit a silver dollar
With at ten yards"
"Lemme see it."
The stranger thrust his right hand
nto his trousers pocket and grasped
that he drew out so clutched
II his fist that it was not easy to dis
N, with better or quicker sight than
he others. seemed to get on to some
hing about to happen, for he ducked
lnder a table The stranger reached
he thing out to his tormentor. 1t ex-
Jloded, and Scar Joe staggered back
ward, at the same time putting his
land to his hip. The something in
he strangers fist exploded again, and
he westerner fell dead.
One would naturally suppose that
hose present would be chiefly interest
ID in the fallen man. SO they were
i'll they were convinced that he had
'eceived his last scar Then all Of
sudden their minds concentrated on the
hing in the stranger hands that had
lone the work. All eyes turned toward
him curiously. He had returned the
explosive thing to his pocket.
Landlord" he said, I'D like some
hing to eat before | go. My wife
writes me that she'll send team for |
ne to be here at It's now l., I've
lust time for dinner"
81 say, stranger" said one present, |
would you mind lettin' us see what
hat was you shot him with?'
Il know what it is" said the man
who had sought safety under the table
IT'S bulldog. | seen 'em before.
They're the ugliest weapon ut short
'ange they Is goin."
The stranger took out short, thick |
pistol with very stocky barrel and al
Owed the party to examine 1t.
WAS tother one really gift for
your wife" asked one
Certainly. When | was called east
she asked me to bring her a revolver
'eitable for woman"
While the stranger was dining the
body of his victim was being removed.
When his team arrived and he was
driving away one Of the crowd who
had gathered to see him Off cried out;
much obleeged for gettin' rid OF Scar
Joe He was gittin' to be n nuisance"
On the Identical spot where this
episode happened there Is now a hand