The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-06-25
By Joseph Hall

apron. The Ruby Light has been
pretty quiet all evenin', and the last
convivial citizen of Bedding has left a
bour before. He got his apron half
off when there was sound of hoof-
beats outside, and cowpony stops in
front of his place. Slim reties his
apron and picks up his towel.
In about a minute jeff comes in by
himself. It's shore a strange time of
night for lone puncher to be gettin'
to town, but Slim don't bat a eye.
jeff has got on his chaps and spurs,
but he has also got on that there
lavender shirt and boiled collar that
he wears when he calls on Annetec.
By the time jeff has got his foot on
the rail, Slim is slippin' him the bot
tie.
"Howdy, SLIM" he says.
In spite of his fancy fixin's Jeff is
lookin' tired and haggard around the
eyes, and there's lot of dust in his
voice. He don't look at Slim, pour
ing out a big drink and liftin' her
quick.
Slim is restin' his elboys on the
bar, leanin' his chin in his hands that
away, and while Jeff is takin' another
drink he's givin' him the once over
pretty keen.
Kind of late, amt you, Jeff" al
lows Slim judicious and inquisitive.
Jeff mighty near jumps, but he
catches himself and pours out another
couple of fingers.
yes" he says. 81 got a late start"
The whiskey is gettin' into his blood
and he don't look so haggard and
hunted He even looks at Slim over.
his glass.
What time does the eastbound
train come through Slim?" he asks
casual
Twelve fve," says Slim, standin'
| up and rollin' cigaret. you aim
| fggerins on leavin' the Lonesome L
none are you, jeff"
jeff finishes his drink and begins to
pour out another one. Thereain't a
sound except the whiskey gurglin out
of the bottle and splashin' into the
glass, jeff holdin' the bottle a little
too high, and his hand shakin' jest
a trifie.
81 got a telegram today" says JEFF
slow, "sayin' my old man is aboup
to check out. That's why Pm in such
rush. The eastbound stops at Beld-
ing, don't she, slim?"
Slim is leanin' on the bar again,
smokin, and there amt nothin' about
Jeff that's got by him.
"Shore she stops" says the bar
tender
"Well, l guess I'll be movin' then"
allows Jeff, shown his glass away
from him. He puts his hand in his
pocket and brings out a twenty-dollar
gold piece one of them big yellow
boys. He sees what he's done too
late and his face goes funny but he
threw her over on the counter.
Slim starts to make the change but
it looks like he's having trouble, and
bonds the double eagle back. to JEFF.
81 amt got the change, Jeff,' he
saws. "You can just owe the house
for the drinks tonight and pay up
when you git back"
JEFF acts like he's goin' to object,
but he don't and jest slips the money
back into his pocket. He makes an
other mistake there, because he let it
go too quick and it made noise when
it hit what else was in his pocket.
"All right, Slim" he says. Don't
let me forget it, and if I don't never
come back, I'll shore send it to you.
So long.
Jeff turns around and starts out.
but Slim calls him back.
Hey, jeff" he says, you got lots
of time. There amt nobody up to the
depot this time O. night nohow, and
it'll be plumb entirely lonesome.
amt no-ways sleepy yet, and I want
to have little chatter with you that
away before you leave"
| Well, for about minute it looked
| like Jeff was goin' to object, but he
turned around and came back.
Slim sets the bottle back on the
bar in front of Jeff and slides him
glass. Then he leans back in his old
place with his elbows on the bar and
and his chin in his fist.
"You been out here in this country
about six months, amt you, jeff"
Slim starts out even and common
place, but his eyes don't never leave
that puncher's face.
Eyes, jest about six months, Slim"
Jeff is foolin' with one of his spurs
with his toe, spinnin' it round and he
don't look up Slim goes on:
"You remember that first day when
you bowed in here with the Lone
some L outfit? Well, l knowed you
right away that day, and you knowed
me, and you was jest about to beat
it when l got down there to you and
handed you the glad word. Amt that
civ