Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-01-01

Never Part With This Pistol,
Jsemsy."
words, Jeemsy, l mean that In less
than four short years you will be q
full-fedged man."
Having delivered himself OF this In
troductory peroratlon Hepsibah fin-
ished unwrapping the package and
never had Catherine beheld such a
handsome piece Of velvet as that
which her brother displayed In the
candle glow. It was, par excellence.
the finest Of the treasures he had
brought, q cloth of matchess beauty, d
crimson glory so filled with changing
humors and colors that 1t seemed to
be alive In his hands. Surely this was
another present for his mother, Jeemg
thought. But to his amazement and
GATHERINGS surprise Hepslbah thrust
the cloth into Jeems hands.
-For Mademoiselle Marie Antoinette
Tonteur from her devoted admirer.
Daniel James Bulain," he announced.
"Jeemsy, don't blush. Twelve and ten
are not far from sixteen and fourteen.
when you will be man and woman.
and If ever seigneur's daughter finds
herself lucky 1t will be on the day she
marrles son of the tribe Of Adams.
The writing on 1t. Jeemsy, tells where't
came from and how much it cost
and along with 1t have brought you
some nankeen for britches and clothes,
four shirts, and hree-cdrnered hAt
with Il black ribbon, six handker-
l chiefs, and jackknife. two pairs O.
serge britches, as many of new shoes,
and-this,' and from the now COM
pletely emptied pack he drew forth
/ beautiful long-barreled pistol. his eyes
agiow with fighting mans pride as
ne fondled 1t In the light OF the can
dies and pointed out its merits to
Jeems AS long as you live, You must
never part with this pistol, Jeemsy,'
he sad. IT isn't new. you see but it's
record is one ~ glory as long as my
arm, and Ill tell you about 1t some
day. It's killer. lad, killer deadly
and sure, good for hundred PAGES
with less than an inch OF DROP and
he gave the weapon into Jeems' hands
An Instant OF disapproval gathered
In GATHERINGS eyes.
1T was kind OF you to bring the
cloth for Antoinette but do not care
| for the pistol. Hepsibah." she said.
/ "A pistol makes me think of--men
| fglltIng men. And here we are at
peace having need only OF the rife
and of Jeemsy's bow and arrows to
bring MS meat. / feel 1t is not best!''
| As she spoke thus confidently OF
| peace cloud came over Hepsibahs
face. but In moment he had laughed
1t away and was telling her that with
| In week she would be as proud OF
her boys craftsmanship as she now
seemed fearful OF the pistols infiu-
ence upon bis future.
The next day was the day OF the
auction sale at Lussan's place. Lus-
san was wealthy farmer at the edge
OF the next seigneurie, ten miles away.
He was returning to his old home near
the Isle OF Orleans country he liked
better than the RIchelIeu, and was
selling most OF his goods. Among
these were a pillow with An iron point,
forty-gallon soap kettle, and a loom
which Jeems' father wanted, 80 he
had planned to start with the OK
carly Ia the morning. JAems had heard
Tontenr say he intended to buy Lus-
sans three slaves. a mother and father
and daughter, and that the young
wcnch was for Toinette. Tolnette
would be with her father. He would
take his treasure package with him to
Lussan's and find an opportunity to
give 1t to her.
Should Paul Tache be there and
dare to overload him again, or laugh
IN his neanly suggestive way, or speak
sneeringly, or so much as say word
against his gift for Toinette.
a rumble OF fresh-growlng thunder
was advancing out OF the west, and
preceding 1t came roar OF wind and
deluge OF rain. Lightning cut once
more IN vivid Hastings across the mar
row nanes of the bedroom window.
ana the roof seemed to bend and
groan under a sudden torrential honl-
parchment. Jeems fought In unison
with the elements. His spirit mounted
savagely with the turmoil He had
MS enemy down and was thrustIne
MS mead into wet and Shiny mud. tie
was beating his face and eyes, and
spolling his SPLENDID raiment, and !
pulling out his hair, And Marie An
toihette was looking on. With the gor-
geous red velvet In her hands and her
eyes big and starry. she was watching
him as he choked and kicked and POM
melted the life out Of Paul Tachel
Inc outburst OF thunder and wind
and delnge. within OF playful spring,
passed as swiftly as Il had come, and.