Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1917-11-22


had cast aside. All were marked "C
Master" or &C. NJ" or with a mono
gram composed of the letters &C. NJ"
interviewer. The tweed suit itself
worn by the Chicago detective was
marked inside the pockets as the prop
erty of &c. Master"
As cautiously as he could Philo
Gubb crossed to his trunk and took
from the left hand compartment of the
tray his trusty pistol. 1t was a large
and deadly looking pistol. about q foot
and a half long, with a small ramrod
beneath the barrel. 1t was a muzzle
loader of the crop of 1854 and carried a
bullet the size of a well matured cher
ry. 1t was as heavy as a vitrifed paw
Ing brick. Its efficiency as a irearm
was unknown, as Mr.. Gubb had never
discharged 1t. but II looked seven times
as dangerous as the small modern re-
v%olvers, and no doubt 1t was. A man
facing Philo Gubb's trusty weapon had
no feeling that a small, neat hole was
going to be bored through him. He
felt that II the gun went off he would
be utterly and disastrously blown to
flinders. Mr.. Gubb, looking first to see
that the brass percussion cap was in
place on the pistol, pointed 1t at the
sleeping Mr.. .Witzel. using both hands.
and sighting along the barrel.
Wake up!' he exclaimed sternly.
Mr.. Witzel sat straight up on the
cot. For an instant he was still dazed
with sleep and did not seem to know
where he was. Then a look of Joy
spread Owe his face, and he jumped
from the cot and. with both hands ex.
tended, moved toward Detective Gubb.
Superb" he exclaimed. "A perfect
specimen. Wonderfully preserved"
He walked up to the gun and peered
into its muzzle with one eye. He bent
his head to read the engraving on the
top of the barrel.
"A real Briggs & Bolton 53ia caliber,
muzzle loading. 1871 he exclaimed
rapturously. Mr.. Gubb pushed him
away with n hand.
Go back there into range he said
sternly. I'm shooting | am to kill, but
not to blow into particles of pieces. I
am aiming this firearm at you with
deadly intention to shoot at the slight
est move, but | do not wish to desire
to MAIN you to bits. Go back"
But. my dear sir" exclaimed Mr..
Witzel, do you know what you have
thereY'
He put his hand on Mr.. Gubb's arm
and spoke with deep earnestness
ITS a pistol gun" said Philo Gubb.
IF you don't stand back III shoot you
anyway"
Its a Briggs 4 Bolton" said Mr..
Witzel. That's what it is. 1t is the
only well preserved specimen of Briggs
& Bolton | ever saw
NJ. Gubb shook off the hand that
clasped ais arm.
II don't care what 1t is said Mr..
Gubb. Its a pistol gun, and it's bung
full Of powder and bullet. and when ]
point 1t at you | mean that If you
make a move I'm a-going to shoot!'
And | don't care what you mean
said Mr.. Witzel. Its a Briggs &
DbllcI, dtu 1 NuII goh lhd you uh
that gun so full of powder that IL you
pull that trigger you'll blow 1t to bits
and ruin the only perfect specimen OF
that gun | ever saw! | tell you | am
an expert o N old weapons. and thai
gun is a priceless treas
Look here" said Gubb to Mr.. Wit
eel, eff you don't go back there where
l a get a shot at you If | want tt
Pll-Ill smack you on the face"
"If you shoot off that gun and bus
it." said Mr.. Witzel, with equal anger
"1ll-I1l hit you on the head"
go back" cried Philo Gubb men
acingly. "One,"
"I1l give you $50 for that gun jus
as she is." said Mr.. Witzel.
"Two!" said Mr.. Gubb.
sixty dollars said Mr.. Witzel.
9TH said the paper hanger detec
tive. stepping back ward to get room Il
sight along the long barrel. Unfortu
nately the trunk was just behind him
and as he stepped back he tripped owe
1t and fell backward, doubling up Xix
a jackknife. But he kept his presenc'
of mind. The long barrel of the Brigg
& Bolton protruded from between th
soles of Philo Gubb's feet In Mr.. Wit
zel's direction. and Philo Gubb's eyi
glanced along the barrel.
Hands up!' he said. Instantly MI
Witzel raised his hands In the air.
"Iln give you SO" he said.
make 1t $50" said Mr.. Gubb, IAN
) as soon as I'm done with 1t In TIL
course of this case of detecting l ar
now employed into with it you ca
have It,"
Its a bargaint' said Mr.. Wife
happily. Its my pistol. Now. what
all this nonsense about shooting me-
Nonsense is an insufficient word t
use In relation to this here case" sal
Philo Gubb grimly. ut won't be mol
sense for you when you get throug
IL