The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-11-07
CHAPTER XIII.
The RuIe Of the L.awIes,.

known him as one of the Morton gang
This man NOW took up his residence iI
camp, and we soon discovered that he
was evidently the killer. The first
afternoon he picked some sort of O
petty quarrel with Thompson over q
purchase. but cooled down instantly
when Unexpectedly confronted by O
half dozen miners who came In at the
opportune moment. A few days after
ward In the slack time Of the after
moon Thompson, while drinking at the
bar Of the Empire and conversing with
a friend, was approached by well
known sodden hanger-on Of the sa
doons.
What are you fellows talking
aboutW demanded this man impu.
dently.
"None of your business" replied
Thompson lmpatlently, for the man
Twas n public nuisance and besides
was deep In Thompson's debt.
The man broke into foul oaths.
"Tll dare you to fightr' he cried In
q furious passion.
Facing about, Thompson saw Craw-
ford standing attentively among the
listeners and instantly comprehended
the situation.
'You have the odds Of me with a
pistol" said Thompson, who notori-
cusly had no skill with that weapon.
Why should fight your"
well, them" cried the man, put up
your flstsl Thatll show who is the
best manp
He snatched Off his belt and laid II
on the bar. Thompson did the same.
"Come orr cried the challenger.
backing away.
Thompson, thoroughly angry, reach
ed over and slapped his antagonist.
6sVae Inter promptly drew another re-
yoler from beneath his coat, but be-
fore he could aim II Thompson jump
ed ut his throat and disarmed him. At
z this moment Crawford lnterfered, ap-
parently as peacemaker. Thompson
was later told secretly by the barkeep'
er that the scheme was to lure him
into II pistol fight In the street, when
Crawford would be ready to shoot him
= az snsn as the first shot was fired.
N9Aa the strength OF this interference
Crawford next pretended to friendship
ana spent much of his time at Thomp
sons store. Thompson was In no way
deceived. This state Of affairs contin
,ued for two days. 1t terminated II
the following manner! Crawford, SIT
ting half on the counter and talking
with nil the great charm OF which Ia
was master, led the subject to weap
,0ns.
~'Thls revolver of mine," said he, d
the same time drawing the weapo
from Its holster, "ls one of the oil
navy model. You don't often see theI
nowadays. 1t has Il double lock- IL
cooked It as though to illustrate III
point and the muzzle, as though
accident. swept toward the other maj
lae looked up from his affected clos
examination to find that Thompso
thnd also drawn his weapon and TIN
itho barrel was pointing uncompromi
dngly IN his direction.
For n moment the two stared ea'
other In the eye. Then crawfo
sheathed his pistol with an oath.
What do you mean by thatT'
cried.
IL mean," said Thompson irml
+that do not intend you shall &
the advantage Of me. You know II
opinion Of you and your gang. | shl
mot be shot by any OF you II | CT
help IT,"
Crawford Withdrew quietly. but Ii
er In the day approached big gro'
Of US. one of which was Thompson
"There'a matter between you al
me has got 10 he settled" he cried.
well can't imagine what II Il
Feplicd Thompson. Pm not ava
that I've said or done anything TO y
that needs settlement"
you needn't laughw replied era
ford, with string OF insulting oatl
-'You're n coward. aud IL you're M
thing Of a man you will step out
doors and have this out"
81 am, as you say. coward"
piled Thompson quietly, "and | see
reason for going out OF doors TO 1i
you Or anybody else"
AiteT NustellhB ohu HNcHilhB ioi
few moments Crawford withdrew.
made no attempt to fight, nor do
lieve his outburst had any other p
pose than 90 establish the purely !
6onal character of the quarrel betw'
Thompson and himself At any II
Thompson was next morning fo'
murdered in his bunk. while Crawl
had disappeared. DO not kn
whether Crawford had killed him
not think not
About this time formal printed
fices Of some sort Of election "