Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-28


"oon't you get funny with me-"
Big Grade H insulted her-leastways
he called her my sweetheart-so shot
at him to spare her feelin's. I don't
claim l done Just the gentlemanly
thing, cause it amt drivers place
to mix with road agents, them duties
bein' delegated to messengers an such
passengers as has 1 genius for dis
turbance. However, there bein' no
messenger handy, tipped at him an
busted his Winchester. My bullet
knocked the gun out of his hands, an
he ran for the cutoff down the old
sheep trail. He laid fer me there with
his guns. When I drove by he got me
here. Most well now though"
Peg-Leg spoke unexpectedly from tho
shadows.
Look a-here, Shorty. amt never
fggered out one thing about that fra
cas-. Old Charlie Crane says you come
tearin' into his place on the dead run,
your bosses plumb beat out, an you
an the young Teller all shot up"
That's right" said Shorty.
"Well. who was this young feller7
You left here that mornin' with the
girl an the bullion, but there wasn't
no young Teller along
Peg-Leg had sprung the question
which had excited the camp for months,
and the listeners waited breathlessly.
From the first the affair had touch Of
mystery maddening to the camp, the
more SO fnasmuch as Shorty, the man
Of splendid simplicity, had suddenly
lost his candor and maintained a baf-
ding silence. Speculation had fed upon
drifting rumor until Forest Hill wrig-
gied in an agony Of curiosity.
Considering his ferocious habit of re.
ducing to an unfortunate personal ba-
sis those questions he found not to
his liking, there seemed no advisable
method Of arriving at the truth, unless
perhaps by the exhibition Of curiosity
which Shorty would be privileged to
regard as morbid and insulting. Time
and silence had served to hone the
edge Of this sharp interest until "Peg
Leg" the landlord, had arisen unex-
pectedly to press the question. The
fdlers wondered why they hadn't
thought of him before. Even Shorty,
scorning as he did all recognized codes
Of warfare, could do no more than take
umbrage at wooden legged man.
We'll, ye see, it was this way" said
the stage driver finally, then amid their
signs Of interest there came the throb
and rumble Of the Auburn stage
Here comes the mail. I'll tell We some
other time" he broke off, while the
ton was voiced by Spike Duffy, who
swore..
THE which would certainly rasp ye
cuss his little hidev'
After the mild excitement of the
stages arrival had rippled out those
who were given to the expectation Of
mail disappeared in the wake of the
postmaster. 1t was one of these re-
turning that brought 1T.
The epical deserves the dignity Of
capitals, and epical it surely was for
the dwarf who still conversed upon the
step.
"Hey. Shorty! Here's letter for
you"
"What?' The little mans voice held
utter, gasping incredulity.
"Sure; from lady too"
Now, it is possible to crowd the limit.
Look a-here. your growsd Shorty.
rising threateningly. Don't you get
funny with me-"
II amt. Here it is. honest" declared
Peg-Leg. hurrie,lly thrusting upon him
packet. Look at it yourself"
Shorty came into possession Of the
object with that measure Of familiar
ity and blitheness with which man
receives his summons to the pillory..
Then when heshad dazedly entered thc