The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-05

close enough to grapple with the most
rcdoubtable fighter In the Southwest
old man Greenlaw reached over the bar
and tapped him on the wrist with his |
bungstarter.
The exact amount Of violence neces-
sary for the. blow to accomplish the de-
sired result was calculated with great
nicely and the desired purpose was neatly |
accomplished No bones were broken.
but the wrist was temporarily disabled |
and the revolver fell to the floor before |
the second shot could be fred. Pearsall
picked 1t up and put it in his pocket.
Even then there remained a doubt as
to whether Bassott would pull another |
gun with his left hand and prolong the
pastme, and the old man poised his bung-
starter again In readiness for another blow
in case 1t should be needed, while the
others looked with earnest care to see
If further action on their part would he
required.
But somewhat to their surprise and
greatly to their relief MIR. Bassett made
no attempt to do anything further of an
unfriendly character. There was no
desire on the part Of any one there to
tltdN Ilii ufrDlNtlullNs tuDuku tltl itiiy
intended to proceed against him with as
much violence az his own actions would
call for simply as IA measure OF self-pro-
lection. and il was relief to find that
no further steps of the kind were re-
quired. They liked Bassett and did not
wish TO manhandle him Moreover, they
realized that it would not be easy for this IN
to do it even by combining their efforts.
They were therefore we'll satisfied to
observe that the current Of his thoughts
had been diverted. Commonly such an
attempt IA the old man had made to
thwart him would have increased his
ardor and he would have persisted in his
original purpose regardless OF all re-
sistance, In this case, however. II seemed
apparent that he realized the real friend
ship that had prompted so violent an
interference
He looked at the old man first in great
establishment, as if expecting some ex-
preston of contrition. or ut least some
disclaimer of hostile intent Finding
that nothing like that was - be expected.
but that the old mans face was a clear
indication of his stern disapproval, he
| looked at the others wonderingly.
Their faces were also indicative of
great disapprobation and his own feat
ures graadully assumed grieved ex-
preston. Then he began to cry
! At this particular moment a stranger
entered the saloon. Approaching the
bar with an aggressive swagger he said.
Lets liquor"
III timed a. his intrusion was, the
potent magic of the familiar words served
| to relieve the tension. which was becoming
somewhat painful. Old man Greenlaw
laid aside the bungstarter, which he was
still holding in his hand ready for any
further use which might seem advisable.
and busted himself with glasses and
bottles And the others. including Bassett
promptly lined up in readiness to partake
of the fluid OF good fellowship.
The traces of tears remained on the
atter's rugged countenance. even after
he had taken his drink. Mastering his
emotions with a manful effort, however
he spoke somewhat thickly indeed but
with intelligent perception of the courtesy
of the occasion
"Filmup gain" he said, and the
stranger, observing him somewhat closely
was moved to a most unusual utterance.
IL reckon" he said. with entire dis
regard of his own status in the party
which plainly disqualified him from
Offering any criticism, Il reckon yo al
il done had nigh bout = much = yo' CT
carry, c'nvenient" And he winked a
old man Greenlaw with an expression o
ribald mirth. while an unseemly grill
appeared on his face.
Almost instantly he perceived that h
2 had erred Bassett's own demeanor ol
5 the receipt of this serious atfront wa
of itself proof to his friends that ther'
4 was more or less truth in what had beef
I said. for instead of blazing with wrathfu
) resentment he burst out crying again
4 1t was evident enough that he was no
Y himself. but though he was strangel
4 incapacitated from handling the situa
4 ton properly. it was handled for him.
i "Tain't reckoned fittin' in Arkansa
Il City, said the old man sternly. 40 n
d stranger TO butt in with onmannerl
e remarks bout nothin rs did. II yC
all don't like it. yo' en- git to hell QUITE
II here. an the quicker yo' gifts, the bette
i TN be TO yo'.'
+ Il didn't mean no offence said IN
d stranger half laughingly 1t was easil
n seen that he was taken aback at tn
- rebuke, but it was also clear that h
t failed to See how serious his break of ct
d quette was.
a Don't make no difference what wa
n meant Offence was took, Rrowle
Ie Pearsall Indignantly. and the strange
10 glanced AT him quickly as if To see wheth'
& he would be Immediately attacked. Fine
d ing that Mr. Pearsall though unmistal
it ably angry, was still unready for acti'
n hostility. he made the further mistal
At of trying to carry the matter of wit
ID some popularity.
I'd Il done said how didn't mean notl
in" he observed. but 'peared like 1t vi
'e some funny TO to see gent as big as hi
I'd with "A cryin' jag on. Mebbe ! didn
id ought TO to said nothin'. but it sho'
IN comic
% "Yo' all pears to be some bughouse
IN exclaimed the old man hotly. Tn air
I'd nobody here got no cryin' jag, nor
III other kyind of "A jag on. This yere's !
I'd spectacle house an they amt nothin' Ii
that never lowed into it And
Id picked up his bungstarter again.
ne ~Oh. we'll" said the stranger despa
nd ingly, Il reckon ain got no eyes. Neb
he the gent was horned thataway. 'Cordin