The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1939-08-17

Jesse Conroy Ever heard that
name, Barry?"
"No," said Barry. Il never.
But if you're a Haveril hows
your name Conroy?"
"Shucks," said Jesse. "It's my
OF lady that's the Haveril, an
she married a man name of Con-
roy"
Barry pondered. "I'd reckon
that makes you anyhow a half
Haveril," he said.
Thereafter they called each
other Cousin Jesse and Cousin
Barry, until Jesse took to calling
Barry just plain Shutdown.
I'D like to hear about the ban
dts that chased you up here,
Cousin JESSE" said Barry one
day.
II amt finished with them
hombres, Shutdown" Jesse said
angrily. ''Shore I'll tell you
about EN-"
He told the tale forcefully and
clearly, and Barry Haverill Believ-
ed every word of it. There were
six of them, said Jesse. They
were Bud Walters, cowboy;
Bill and Tom Bedloe, ranchers
near Tylersville; Sam Johnson,
teamster and deputy sheriff and
all around crook; Jeff Cody, the
gambler; and Dan Hardy. Most
folks didn't suspect them for
what they were, they we're that
crafty. But Jesse Conroy knew!
Hadn't he seen them when they
held up the Cold Springs stage;
they'd killed the driver and the
guard and got away with the
strong box. Then they had seen
Jesse Conroy, who just happened
to be cutting into the stage road
from a side trail, and they knew
it was all up with them unless
they rubbed him out.
"Tll get 'em some day, Cousin
Barry" Jesse went on. "Yuh see
if don't. But for a while l bet
ter go SLOW"
Presently a thin smile touch
ed his lips as he said idly: what
do yuh think O. this here six-gun
O. mine, Sundown?"
Il never saw one like that"
breathed Barry almost reveren-
TALLY.
TRY a shot with it," offered
Jesse. I'll show yuh."
Barry tingled; he held the wea-
pom lovingly; he lowered it and
raised it just as Conroy had been
doing
'I'll show yuh," said Conroy
again.
Barry sat humbly listening as
Jesse, leaning against the cabin
wall, explained and demonstrate
ed. Instantly he realized that his
Cousin was as deadly with the
Colt as he himself was with his
rifle
Jesse said, Here's some cat
ridges" and poured them into
Barry's eager palm. And then he
said laughing: "Yuh en- have it,
Shutdown. I'm givin' it to yuh."
Barry just stood there, shells
in one hand, gun in the other,
and gawked at him. He knew
that he had heard the words cor
rectly; it must be that they
meant something else.
Jesse laughed again, his hand
some dark eyes flashing.
Shore" he said. I'm givin'
yuh my gun, Cousin Barry. It's
yore'n right this minute"
Barry looked at him with shin
ing eyes. But that look was onlv
a fleeing one since in a flash his
eyes turned to the red-butted re-
volver and fingered there like
lovers gaze. Then his feet began
shuffling in the dead pine need
les. He couldn't think of any,
thing to say.
AS the days passed, young Con-
roy grew steady on his legs again
and his wounds healed and the
healthy tan came back into his
lace. Barry could see the rest
!essnesS surge up higher and
higher in him every day.
One morning in a still dim
plush dawn Jesse Conroy slung
his buckskin bag to his belt,
ShouIdered his carbine and left.
so long, Cousin Barry" he
$50 long, Cousin JESSE" said
Barry. '
Barry watched him out of SIGHT
only vaugely wondering where
ne was going Then he returned IN
his cabin and sat on the step and
upholstered his treasure.