The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-11-05

'Oot' Aic ilHu .tADeCIeu 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 perpex-
ity. The big saloon was absolutely
empty OF patrons-the tables were IN
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 q brief mo-
ment, he even failed to perceive Its
only occupant--a 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 muflled 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 Ponca?
The red-mustached one turned In
differently, yet managed to extend a
rather limp hand in fraternal greeting.
THAT'S bout the size of It, Tom"
he admitted gravely. "Where yer been
the last six months?
"Over on the Cottonwood, ranchlng.
Say, amt seen nothin' but dogs
since struck this valley. What's
up? Ponca gone on the BUMP"
mo; she's all right mostly. Be all
right tomorrow, I reckon, fer Hitch
cocks outfits comm In with a bunch
o steers. What'll yer drink"
BEST yer've got, O. course. That
looks bit like old times, an tastes
like 1t. Take n 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 nm Caboodle gone across the
creek to help plant old Dad Calkins.
fou remember Old Dad?"
mo, can't say do; what was he,
gambler?"
Kind of a tin-hOrn; sOused most o.
the time hut still everybody liked him:
pretended ter he 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,
hut he was HI Of q good story-ten-
er. an the boys cottoned TO him. Sure,
yer must have knowed him."
Shelby shook his head. what did
he die from2"
"Shot himself, reckon. He was
picked up over back o. the dance hall.
with bullet In his nut an a gun In
his hand. The girl was huntin' for
him, cause he didn't come home. an
so Dan he went along with her The
two of 'em found him out there"
"What' girI2"
Daughter, s'pose. She's been
we're kinder keepin' house ever since
| first knew the cuss."
How old is she?"
II amt no jedge O. females ages,
II Yer ask me, but maybe sixteen or
seventeen, Quite a wisp of a CURL
first saw her, but she don't make
up with nobody; sorter sullen-like, an
Just stays ter home all the time.
"Where'd 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
obseques. 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 in2 Danll be
be mighty pleased ter see yer horn In"
Shelby helped himself to another
drink and gazed disconsolately about
the big. desolated room. Il reckon
I'll turn the broncs into Davis corral.
an then amble along" he said slowly.
Even funerals better than this
dump today"