Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-03-29
CRAPT Err |.
Frontier Day.

Spain more or less, despite his en-
the low singing of teakettle, which,
however unobtrusive, indicates steam
within. In fact, John Lefever, who
was built not unlike q kettle, never
Whistled except when there was some
pressure on his sensibilities.
The warm sun came streaming
through the windows of the private of
t1ce Of the division superintendent at
Sleepy Cat, a railroad town lying al
most within gunshot of the great con
tnental divide. De Spain, tilted back
in the superintendent chair, sat near
Lefever-Jeffries had the mountain di-
vision then-his feet crossed on the
walnut rim of the shabby, cloth
topped table. His chin lay on his soft,
open collar and tie, his Sunburnt lips
were shut tight, and his nervous brown
eyes were staring at the dull finish
barrel Of a new rife, that lay across
Lefever's lap. At intervals Lefever
took the rifle up and, whistling softly,
examined with care a fracture of the
lever, the broken thumbpiece Of which
lay on the table between the two men.
From the Main street side of the
large room came the hooting and clat-
tering Of a Frontier day celebration,
and these noises seemed not to allay
the discomfort apparent on the faces
Of the two men.
Hang it, John," blurted out De
Spain peevishly, what possessed you
to send for me to do the shooting, any
wayT'
His companion answered gently
Lefever's patience was noted even
among contained men-"Henry," he re-
monstrated, 81 sent for you because /
thought you could shoot"
De SPANS expression did not change
under the reproach. His features were
so regular as to contribute to this IN
disturbed expression, and his face
would not ordinarily attract attention
but for his extremely bright and alive
eyes-the frequent mark of an out-of-
door mountain life-and especially foI
red birthmark, low on his left cheek.
disappearing under the turn of the jaw.
It was merely strawberry, so called,
and after knowing him, one forgot
about the birthmark in the man that
carried it. Lefevers reproach was
naturally provocative. 81 hope now"
retorted De Spain, but without any
show of resentment, "you understand
can't"
mo-" persisted Lefever, good-na-
turedly, II only realize, Henry, that
this wasn't your day for the job"
The door Of the outer Office opened,
and Jefrtes, the superintendent,
walked into the room; he had just come
from Medicine Bend in his car. The
two men rose to greet him. he asked
about the noise in the street.
THAT noise, William, comes from all
Calabasas and all Morgan's gap" ex-
planned Lefever, still fondling the
rife. '"The Morgans are celebrating
our defeat. They put it all over us.
We were challenged yesterday" he
continued In response to the abrupt
questions Of Jeffries. "The Morgans
offered to shoot us offhand, two hun
dred yards, bulPs-eye count. I thought
we could trim them by running in
real gunman, SO wired to Medicine
Bend for Henry. Henry comes TO last
night with a brand-new rifle. This Is
the gun. The lever" he added with
patient expletive, broke. Henry got
to shooting too fast"
THAT wasn't what beat me-" ex-
claimed De Spain CURLY. And taking
up the offending rife, he walked out
of the room.
What do you think, William?' Le-
fever grumbled on. "The Morgans ran
in a girl to shoot against us-Nan
Morgan, old Duke Morgan's little niece.
And never before In my life saw
Henry so fused. The little Music
Mountain skirt simply put it all over
him, She had five bulps-eyes to Hen
RVS three when the lever snapped. He
forfeited" - .-..-.- -.
Some shooting" commented JEFF
fries, rapidly signing letters.
I'VE expected some when Henry IN
slung his gun" Lefever went on with
out respecting Jeffries' preoccupation.
LAS 1t is, those fellows have cleaned up
every dollar loose in Sleepy Cat, and
then some. Money? They could start
bank this minute"
Sounds of revelry continued to pour
In through the street window. The
Morgans were celebrating uncommon
~. Rubbing it in, Ell, John?'' sug-
| gested Jeffries.
Think Of it." gasped Lefever, ''to
be beaten by an eighteen-year-Old girl"
"Now that" declared Jeffries, wax
ing up as if for the first time inter
ested, SIS exactly where you made your
mistake, John. A gunman shoots his
best when there's somebody shooting
at him. That's why you shoot we'll
because you're a gunman, and not a
| marKsman."
THAT boy can shoot all around me-
Jer."
For instance continued Jeffries.
'ff you had put Gale Morgan up
against Henry, and told him to shoot
at each other, instead Of against each
other, you'd have got bulPs-eyes to
burn from De Spain. And the Gala
basas crowd wouldn't have your
money. John, If you want to win
money, you must study the psychology
ical.'