The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-18
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Down the road came lone horseman with
two mounts, the second saddled and bridled,
trailing behind on rope end. He came
on steadily and the Judge stopped his engine.
The man in the car sized him up-not
prepossessing specimen, to be sure, but wear
ing the habiliments of Texas rural official
-six-shooter, full cartridge belt and CLEAN
of metal on his shirt, partially concealed by
his vest. His big beaver hat, properly
creased, according to West Texas fashion,
shaded lean, meatless face, which reminded
one Of well-tanned leather stretched over
skull. At least six feet long, Strengthened
out, correspondingly wide of shoulder, typi-
cally open-air Texan.
"Are you an officer?" asked Judge Van
Fleet as the man turned out, seemingly with
the intention of passing.
"Debity she'iff," assented the stranger,
flecking back his vest to expose the badge
of authority and hating his horse.
well, we've got job for you" said the
Judge Here's a man who tried to stick
me up-in fact, did stick me up and got hurt
over it. Put him in the nearest jail and
I'll notify San Antonio. He'll be sent after
pronto. l am Judge Van Fleet and this is
Mr.. Cu-er-Carruthers of Chicago"
The officer dismounted without word,
dropped his bride rein ana srtode to the
car. As he looked in at the sleeping crook
he gave an involuntary start, then trans
ferred his hard, expressionless gaze to the
men in the front seat, casual glance at
Cupid and steady, calculating stare at the
muscular Judge.
"Dead?n he asked.
mo, just knocked out" replied the jurist.
ssHell be coming around any minute now.
Got any handeuffs?"
The officer did not reply or take his stare
from the face of the Judge. Plainly,
he was not man of quick thought but
had plenty of control, and was working out
a heavy mental problem. At last he asked:
'Shoot imp
NO. replied the Judge. Neither of US
had guns"
"Did he have one?a
"Sure he did Looked like he wanted to
use it."
sLemme see it."
Picking the weapon from the floor under
his feet, Judge Van Fleet handed 1t to the
officer-and hastily regretted it, for some
instructive reason he could not define. The
minion of the law gave the shooting iron
a quick look and then thrust it under his
waistband. sLet's CO." he ordered. "Drive
Slow Turn at yon side road and keep
a-goin'" AS he turned his horse to mount
both occupants of the car observed that
he carried, in addition to sis own and the
"evidence" six-shooter, another weapon in
the shape of Winchester in sheath
under his saddle guard.
As they started and the engine began to
get in its work the Judge and Cupid could
converse without being heard by the official,
who rode, dragging his led horse, close to
the left rear wheel. f.s
Something tells me-" said Judge Van
Fleet, "that l have played hell It's all
my fault if anything is wrong. 4 did all
the talking. I ought to have faith in
the law, but my bunch says that squirrel
isn't thinking in terms Of law"
sMaybe you're right" assented Cupid
81 noticed, iRcidently, that pair of spurs
hang on the saddle horn Of that led horse.
Our officer was out to meet some friend,
obviously afoot."
Nothing but watchful waiting can avail,
now that I've pulled the big boner," said
the Judge. "A flivver is . fine little pile
of machinery, but it won't outrun horse,
and a whole flock of bullets, on q crooked
road and in six inches of sand. We've
got to go on through with it. There's no
simp like an old simp. Think how nicely
handed over that gun. Great work. don't
Think