The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-26
And His Visit to Arkansas City
Proved, in Consequence,
&OmentOus.
SHOTAT AND THEN DONE UP
He Proceeds on His Way After
Backing Four Sevens in the
Poker Game.
~ DAVID A. CURTIS.

Ine capacity for inaction which
seemed to be characteristic OF the citizens
o. Arkansas City at the time when old
man Greenlaw maintained the principal
place OF amusement in that community
was In way misleading to a casual WIS.,
Nor. He. seeing, as he would be likely
10 see. the usual calm that pervaded the
place. would have been likely to form
the opinion that nothing whatever was
likely to occur there at any time. II he
were Of poetic turn of mind and a
reader Of poetry he would have been re-
minded irresistibly of the lines describ-
ing "a land where it was always after
noon." though nobody in Arkansas City
ever called 1t afternoon, the latter por-
ton Of the day being Invariably referred
to a. the evening.
1t was not that the citizens lacked &C.
cupation. On the contrary. even the
most sedentary individuals among them
were almost constantly employed in one
or other Of three pursuits which COM
prised the entire list of Arkansas City's
industries.
A considerable portion OF their time
was devoted to the game of draw poker.
which was regarded as a business rather
than q pastime. Another considerable
old man Greenlaws prosperity. ne being
the principal purveyor of alcoholic bev-
erage. And the entire residue was spent
in destroying tobacco by either eating IL
or burning 1t up in pipes. Nevertheless.
there was a prevailing quietude and
habitual elaboration among the citizens
that indicated their entire willingness to
refrain from any unnecessary effort
The casual visitor aforesaid. IL he
were philosophically as well as poeti-
cally inclined, would have perceived and
cheerfully admitted that this generaliza-
ton applied exclusively to the male por-
ton of the population. With regard to
the female portion he would not have
arrived at any conclusions whatsoever,
since. so far AS he was concerned the
female portion was not in evidence.
Doubtless there were female residents
there, but he would not be made aware
Of II.
Accurately observing thus, the c. v.
might, or might not. according to cir
cumstances. have discovered that this
large capacity for inaction on the part
Of the denizens of Arkansas City was
not in fact incompatible with an equal
capacity for sudden and great activity.
volcanic outbursts OF which from time
to time completely shattered the GUS
tomary calm. II was as II the inhabi-
tants, living alongside the Mississippi
River. as they did. unconsciously
learned to initiate the river itself in
maintaining a peaceful appearance OF
purposelessness for the most part, but
rousing themselves to raging fury at
intervals.
According as he had or had not dis
,rfl.,
pacity he would or would not have
been surprised to see Joe Bassett arise
suddenly and silently from his seat in
old man Greenlaw's saloon, and step
ping to the door thereof open fire on
q person who was walking along the
Ievee apparently at peace with the
world.
As there was no C. V. in the saloon
At the time Mr. Bassett did thIs no one
was surprised at his performance, with
the sole exception OF the man who was
shot at. He, however having fortu-
nately escaped sudden death by hair
breadth. not unnaturally turned his
head and directed the gaze of two dis
tended eyes at his assailant. There
upon Bassett conveyed a distinct shock
Of astonishment TO his friends inside
who had been observing him with in
terest by a most unexpected act.
Dropping his revolver he elevated
both his hands to the highest point To-
could reach and exclaimed hastily
Don't shoot. stranger. | pologiZe |
done took yo' all TO the wrong man.
YO' favor IA one eyed hciiion most re-
markable. an my QUARTS with him.
There could be no question that the
strangers first intention was 10 return
the fire. for he drew his gun with ad-
mirabie celebrity as he turned, and held
II in readiness even after Bassctt's
quick surrender. Moreover. he showed
unmistakabe signs of resentment as he
walked deliberately toward the saloon.
Further trouble seemed likely.
What kyind of game Is this?" he
demanded with some heat. Cant a
man look like some un else 'thouten
bein' shot at? Pears like yo' all is some
hasty."
mot Nike Ono Eye ne can't not
'thouten he takes a big chanst," replied
Basset, but the stranger was unmol-
lined.
II reckon tn amt no law agin me
fAvorin' anybody ! dam please. even if
he hain't got but one eye" he said de-
family. IAN the man what shoots at
mo thouten Eivin' me no notice is
takin' some of a chanst his own self
dunno what tho customs is In Ar
kansas City. but where l come from it's
Considered unmannerly 70 to take a
man unprepared that away. What I'd
ougf,ter do Is to shoot back, but l hain't
never fired .-sdo unarmed man yet
Pears like yo' all d best pick up yo
sun. an this yere matter en- be disposed
Of right quick"
now strife was a. the breath OF life In
Bassett's nostrils and the little group
Of hs friends who had gathered at the
doorway. watching the proceedings with
keen interest, were well aware OF his
predictions. They therefore looked
with confident expectation to see hin
recover his weapon and accept the chal
lsnGs eagerly. And there was little
eson, for doubt that his first impulse
ms 70 do exactly that.
20 imminent did the conflict appear
that old man Greenlaw started forward
He was not himself averse to strife, bu
no had strong prejudices on the subject
Of gunplay on his own premises holding
fiat other places were better adapted Il
~ IJ.. haA har I'm