The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-09-14

an apology. With an oath Craig re-
fused. Instead, he drew back his right
hand to strike. Howard caught 1t,
twisted it sharply downward and hit
him on the cheek. For an instant they
stood apart, then rushed together. and
taken before the town marshal and
deputy reached the scene and. aided by
the bystanders. separated the two by
sheer force. Craig was struggling wild
ly and was wiping the blood from
gashed lip, trying to draw his revolver
from his hip pocket and growing like
an infuriated brute. Frank Raymond
was among Howard's friends who
seized him and led him toward his
room in the hotel that he might wash
his bruised face and arrange his dress.
his shirt aud necktie being torn.
You must have common sense and
not fight a drunken fool like that"
Frank said soothingly.
Howard drew back on the edge Of
the pavement Common sense!' he
painted. beside himself with rage as
the curious crowd gathered and press
ed close about them. There is only
one sort of common sense III have. and
that is this. Listen. all of you. III
kill that puppy as sure as God let's
me get at him. Wait and see il
don't. You may pull US apart now,
but am not through with him.
Don't listen to him." Frank said to
the crowd. Hes mad and excited.
He doesn't mean that"
Mean it? You don't know me-"
Howard cried. The world is not big
| enough for us both. Ill settle him. l
swear will. I'll kill him like dog.
Some of you heard what he called me.
If you think I'll take it you are no
friends of mine"
| At this moment Abner Daniel pushed
his way through the throng to How
ards side. Come up to your room
and get your clothes straight" he said.
his face pale with excitement and SYM
pathy. We've got some important
work to do at the Office"
I've got important work to do out
lde of the office" Howard fumed. but
he allowed his old friend to lead him
by the arm up to his room, where he
left him.
At the door of the Office Abner found
Pole Baker waiting for him. Pole had
heard the news. and Abner had never
seen him look 50 grave.
"Meddling folks have been totin' tales
betwixt the two," he remarked. Il got
onto several nasty squibs floating
about. Thar are men who had rather
keep bad blood stirred up than make q
fortune III money, and a good many are
Jealous of Howard's rise. This has
just begun, Uncle Alb; nothin' but gun
shots will satisfy them two. | can't
blame Howard, fer the boy simply was
born with a pride and temper that
nothin' KIN check in Il mess like this
Howard said too much before that
crowd just now Abner answered. "il
If ne did happen to harm that skunk
he'd have hard case III court to fight
after the positive way he spoke before
50 many witnesses. What's to be done
I don't know, I'm Sure. We can't pu
the boy under restraint, fer lie is hi
, own boss-free, white. an twenty-one
They say Craig used an awful wore
to 'im; but the courts won't be influ
enced by that II anything deliberat
is DONE an ef they meet again it woul'
be after deliberatiOn."
Half an hour after the fight HOwar
visited Higgins, the gunsmitl. and ash
ed If his revolver were fixed.
Eyes. it is ready. Howard. but
The old man hesitated. "The truth /:
= Howard. that l don't want to retur
, 1t to you just now"
. "Give it to me!' Howard demande
sharply ITS my property, and wi
have it.
pardon me for being rough, NJ
. Higgins he said sharply, 'but Graf
), IS armed. and I've got to be also.'
=, With the weapon In his pocket. HOY
ard left the shop and went down to Il