The Lamar register., 1919-06-04

If any of you've got anything TO say,
why. you can step up and say 1t. You
might he able to bluff these poor devils
that live here, but I've seen too many
boes not 10 know what you're made OF.
You're all under arrest. AN the first
man that moves'll get plugged" The
brakeman placed IA hand In his hip
pocket, which. by the way. held moth.
ing but his red bandanna handker.
chief.
Nov, want TO see the man tha,'s
at the head OF this outfit. Who put
you up to this Jobi"
Following sound nf shufiiing foot
steps. the lllustrlous leader himself
appeared in the doorway. Bully Hack
ett's vis.ige was one of those of which
the worst dreams are made. While 1t
was rendered somewhat vacant by the
absence of his nose, one of his eyes.
and the major portion of his upper lip
unwilling sacrifices 10 the god Of war
his expression lost none of its fer"ci-
~ ON that account. and his shaggy
hair aud beard gave him Look that
WAS scarcely human.
Mr.. Hlackett had been engaged on
II private fOrugIug expedition. and
knew nutltng Of the happenings within
the saloon. nor saw the brakeman. as
he came toward the bar.
''Wot's the matter?" he inquired saw
ngely. Didn't ye s.,e that freight pull
in?'
by way of attracting his attention.
Brown struck him snartly ON the part
Of his face formerly occupied by his
nose.
''NeS. an she'll lay there til she rots.
il she waits fer you to tnke her out.
by the time git through with you,
ynu'll he ready To crawl in your hole"
said the brakeman. lie had seen the
train crew gathered in the shadows
outside the door aud now had little TO
fear from the other hnbnes.
Better take on your coat. because
I'm moi u-goin' Ia knock you out. I'll
make you quit like II dog. so the rest
Of these gents'll see what you are"
stated Brown. removing his own outer
garment.
IIackett waited not for further ad-
vice, but lnshed OUT 50 viciously with
his right arm that Brown was taken
unawares. and. lad IT not been for the
bar nj his back he would have gone
down ANONYMOUSLY. Even so, he was
in an evil plight. for the tramp. seeing
his opportunity. rushed in. raining
blows on the face aud body of his Op-
ponent
Then. indeed, did 1t seem that the
brakeman had been overconfident In
his boasting. The other hobocs shout
ed encouragement to their champion.
and the train crew were only restrain
ed from Joining In the fight by the con
huctor, who continued to voice his be-
lief In Browns prowess.
Veteran OF hundred battles,
Browns first move WAS TO stop the
failing arms This he did by the sim
Pile eNpedient Of twinlng his owp about
them. Gradually. with the apparent
sinuosity OF boa constructor, he
wrapped his limbs about those Of the
other. and for a moment lifted his own
feet clear OF the floor. making Hackett
support the weight OF both their
bodies Then. unmindfui OF his strug-
giles. Brown Ms carefully freed himself.
sending the hobo backward with a
solid jolt on the spot where his first
blow had landed.
Brown was intent on proving Il the
ory that he had long held. namely. that
a man. though Inwur'lly II coward. may
fight with seeming bravery 50 long as
the blows Of his adversary have not
the appearance Of being well judged
or aimed with accuracy; but that
succession OF blows. however light. on
a sensitive spot will make him quit II
he has the least vestlge OF II yellow
streak
During the next few minutes, so
fiercely did Hackett assail him that the
brakeman was almost entirely on the
defensive. More than once he felt the
impact OF the tramp's horny fist on his
face but he still held tO his purpose.
When the opening offered. his hand
fn nshed out. striking with invHriuble
precision the spot he had selected for
his attack.
HHckett manifested his dlspleasure
at this mode OF warfare. evidently
thinking that Brown acted dlshonor-
ably In proiiting by the absence Of his
nasal feature.
For long time they fought. neither
gaining tue advantage. Brown was
bleeding freely from the mouth. and