The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-03-02

Fellows" he says short, "do you
know why I got throwed today?"
Course we didn't.
Some low-lived son-of-a-gun
swapped his dull spurs for my sharp
ones" he says, 'and there they are"
he says, pointin' to Chicks feet. you
all know en-"
Nobody says a word. for shore
enough Chick is wearin' different
spurs from the ones he bought down
at Headwater about a month before.
and shore enough they're just like
Mexico's.
Chick looks up at Mexico to see
what kind Of a joke it is, then he
crooks n leg and begins to spin the
rowel around foolish.
"These here" he says, ARE my
spurs. I traded for 'em today with
Wild Cat Mike"
"And Wild Cat Mikes gone home, /
suppose says Mexico suggestive.
Yes, he's gone home," answers
Chick still twirlin'. the spur.
Mexico steps down and forces Chick
to look at him.
I'm goin' for my gum" he saws
furious. I'll fix you for this" And
he rushes off toward the store.
Chick looks at US kinder be-
wildered.
Nov what did he meant" he asks
innocent.
Then we all explain at once for we
know this Mexico of old and that's
why nobody else has ever throwed in
too much with Elsie.
Have you got a gum" l asks ex-
cited.
Chicks puts down his foot and
reached back to his hip pocket.
YES" he says. DRAWN out, not a
.45, but a sack of tobacco and a book
of cigarette papers.
Heavens, man" says Johnny Car
ton, where is it,"
In my pocket" says Chick. cool
as a refrigerator. Il guess I'll have
time to roll a cigarette before he
gifts back" he adds in his injured
tone. I've got a date with Elsie for
the dance, too" he says regretful.
Well, we all looked foolish.
This was the coward we had laughed
at, and tortured, now ready to face
the Bad Man of Floretta in the worst
of his moods!
The whole group sauntered off a bit
from the hotel, for there we're ladies'
inside and they must not be disturbed.
1t was only a step to the store, and
Mexico was comm back now. Nobody
made a move while he walked up to
within twenty steps of where we
stood, his back to the hotel gallery.
Chick spat out his cigarette.
Mexico whipped out his gun, and l
glanced at the tenderfoot.
1t was all over so quick, and a man
can't see everything at once. re-
member Chick had his gun-then
saw the widest look of misery come
into his eyes. Almost at the same
moment came the sound of a sharp
step on the gallery, there was a whir
of ~polka-dots, and then I heard the
report of Mexico's gun
Chick had failed to shoot.
We all looked from one of the COM
batants to the other, too dazed to
speak, for there stood Chick unhurt,
while Mexico was 1ookin' at a place
on his right arm from which we could
see the blood was tricklin', him havin'
the sleeves of his shirt rolled up.
Little Elsie Dalhart was standin'
there. A pair of spurs was in her
hand.
Here's your spurs, Mr.. Mexico
Charlie" she was sayin'. I'm sorry
! cut your arm, but it only serves you
right. Between the mattress and the
spring." she says contemptuous, us
no place for a pair of spurs. / cut
my W hand on EN- while putin on
the clean Sheets" she says, putin
her hurt hand to her lips like a
woman does when she burns, or cuts,
or scratches it.
Way down the track we heard the
whistle of the evenin' passenger go
in west. It was the only sound there
was. "Supper's ready" says Elsie,
kinder peeyish. And we all turned
and went in the house like bad boys
that'd been caught stealin' green ap-
pies. All, that is, except Mexico
Charlie. / amt never seen him
since.