The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-05-15

II reckon it wouldn't make much diff
ference about here unless it was for
boss stealin'. That's about the only
thing they don't like in these parts.
You kin shoot all you like and it's no.
body's business but yours, but you take
anybody's boss and If they ketch you
you'll have to dance wharf.-the grass is
too short"
"VOt you mean, dances"
1.-The hangman's jig"
The landlord took young Becker to
a room and when he returned remark
ed to q few persons who happened to
be present:
That's the kind we want out here"
Carl Becker was among the higher
grade Of emigrants and came not over
In the steerage; instead he came first
class and when he reached Nevada
had $1,000 in his pocket. That was
in the day when silver mining was
new in this region, and a new country
is proverbially a rough country. The
evening Of Mr.. Becker's arrival he
came downstairs with a singular look
ing cap on his head. A number Of the
rougher element Of the country were
standing at the bar drinking. A man
with a red beard In sheepskin breeches
happened to turn as Becker entered
the room and fixed his gaze on the
cap.
We'll, now," he remarked, "that's
the purtiest, piece of headgear l ever
seen In these parts. If it had a feather
from a peacock's tail stuck into it 1t
would be a dandy ornament for a wo-
man"
Becker heard the criticism, and his
lips broke into a beautiful smile.
"Say, young man." pursued the man
with the red beard, "whar did you git
yer bonnet?"
my bonnet-ha, ha! You call dot 81
bOnnet?"
Il axed you whar you got it."
81 got dat when l a in de univer-
sity."
"Phew, the university! You don't
mean you've been to college"
Yah. Heidelberg"
well, we don't stand no SIGH rain
bow tops as that out yere." And the
speaker, drawing a knife about sixteen
inches long from between his shoulder
blades and catching Mr.. Becker's cap
on its point, tossed it on to the floor.
A change came Over Carl Becker. He
stood looking at the man who had re.
moved his cap with an expression Of
serious dignity.
"Pick up my cap" he said, land git
It back to me-"
"Well, I like that!' replied the other.
I'D have you know, young man, that
we don't take orders out here, and we
don't allow young men to wear any
headgear except the sombrero Of the
country. If you want'a fair fight you
shall have it. Reckon you amt armed
or I'd heered from you afore this. Jim.
give the boy a gun or whatever he
likes" %
The man addressed as Jim thrust q
revolver into Carts hand, but he de-
clined it and said he would take q
knife such as had been used In the re-
moval Of his cap. a knife the same
length % the other was handed him,
and he put himself In the posture Of 4
fencer.
'You got a lot Of style about you.
amt your said Becker's opponent.
But before he could .hnish the young
German gave him cut In the cheek
that concentrated his attention on his
enemy's knife. He made n thrust at
Becker, but Becker nlmbly retreated
ont Of reach, and before his enemy
could recover for another attempt be
received q cut on the other cheek,
Then Becker cut on the tip end Of his
nose. Lastly he gashed his forehead.
and the blood running down into his
eyes stopped the tight.
'sWhar did you learn to handle :
knife like that!'' asked the landlord Of
Rocker. s@ s8 \; Il
~ learned dat at the university. q
vas champion sof my corps"
t'Reckon the reason You came over
here was5for Mllin' q man Z" A 4
/. no. but ! came pretty near MI Killing
him