Macon beacon., 1920-10-29

door He had expected a welcome
and this strange lack Of interest on
the part Of the citizens Of Ponca had
already considerably chilled his en-
thusiasm. Once inside, he stopped,
staring about in even deeper perplex-
ity The big saloon was absolutely
empty of patrons-the tables were un-
occupied no one was lined up in front
Of the long bar, and no sound of voices
or of poker chips came down from the
room above. The place seemed like
huge grave, and, for a brief mo-
ment, he even failed to perceive its
only occupant red-mustached bar
tender in front of the mirror, indus
triously rubbing the immaculate glass.
Thoroughly angered by this time, Shell
by advanced his footsteps mufied by
the sawdust on the floor.
"What the hi is the matter with
this dump?" he demanded savagely, his
fist humping the bar. "Oh, so It's
you, is it, Moran? Well, are you all
that's left in PoncaW
The red-mustached one turned In
differently yet managed to extend
rather limp hand in fraternal greeting.
That's bout the size Of it, Tom"
he admitted gravely. where yer been
the last six months2'
"Oyer on the Cottonwood, ranching.
Say amt seen nothin' but dogs
since I struck this valley. What's
up? Ponca gone on the BUMP
No; she's all right mostly Be all
right tomorrow, I reckon, fer Hitch
cocks outfits comm in with a bunch
O. steers, What'n yer drinkY
"Best yer've got, O. course. That
looks a bit like old times, an tastes
like it. Take a snort with me, Moran.
Where's Mac, an all the boys any
how?'
"Out ter the funeral; that's what's
the matter with this town. The whole
kit an caboodle gone across the
creek to help plant old Dad Calkins.
You remember Old Dad?"
mo. can't say I do; what was he,
a gambler"
kind Of a tin-horn; sOused most O.
the time but still everybody liked him;
pretended ter be a blacksmith when
he first come an put up a shack down
there next the hotel. Never worked
morn three days to my knowledge
since-just naturally bummed round,
but he was a hi Of a good story-tell-
or, an the boys cottoned to him. Sure,
yer must have knowed him"
Shelby shook his head. "What did
he die from?"
"Sh0t himself. I reckon. He was
picked up over back o the dance ha .
with a bullet in his nut an "a gun in
his hand The girl was huntn' for
him. cause he didn't come home an
SO Dan he went along with her. The
two Of EN- found him out there"
what gjrl|
Daughter, I spose She's been
yere kinder keepin' house ever since
l first knew the cuss."
How old is she?"
81 amt no jedge o females ages,
if yer ask me, but maybe sixteen or
seventeen. Quite a wisp Of a gurl
first ! saw her but she don't make
up with nobody sorter sullenlike, an
just stays ter home all the time"
"Whered you say all this rumpus
was gOin' onT
"Over cross the creek, beyond that
bunch O. willows. You know where
the graveyard is, Coin ter be some
obsequies, you bet. Dan he went clear
to Buffalo Gap for ter git a preacher
ter do the thing up swell. What's the
matter with yer goin over there, Tom
an takin' the show in? Dan'll be
be mighty pleased ter see yer horn in"
Shelby helped himself 10 another
drink and gazed disconsolately about
the big, deSolated room. ~ reckon
I'll turn the broncs into Davis corral
an then amble along" he said slowly.
Even funerals better than this
dump today"