Gentleman Joe's Leadville Lead — page 63: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

the others, a little more hesitating in their movements, approached the door as if to see how things were going. Foxy Fan had withdrawn to the rear of the room, but she suddenly sprang forward and exclaimed: ‘Are you going to let them in, Gentleman Joe? I have said no, and I depended upon you to back up my word. If you haven’t the backbone to do it ey ‘“T reckon there’s nothing the matter with my _ back- bone,’’ Gentleman Joe said, in a low voice. | With lightning quickness, he projected himself forward, caught the burly intruder by the hips in a powerful grasp, lifted him from his feet, and with a tremendous effort, flung him headlong out through the open door and into the very midst of his comrades! The other three men, standing close together, were struck fairly by the human projectile and swept like nine- pins off the step. ‘‘A man’s house is his castle, and so is a woman’s!"’ said Gentleman Joe, his voice ringing loud and clear above the muttered ejaculations which were bursting from the lips of the Leadville roughs. The one who had been hurled out was the last to get upon his feet. The others scrambled up one by one, and as they faced about, expecting to find the door closed, they found instead that Gentleman Joe was still standing in the door-way, with a cocked revolver in each hand. ‘‘Now, gentlemen, is your opportunity to amble! When _ the proprietor of this ranch says no admittance, vou don’t want to try too hard to be admittel, because the trial won’t pan out worth a penny!’’- All four men were upon their feet again, and the rumble of their angry voices filled the air. There was a2 momentary movement toward making a second attempt to enter the house. But the leader, who had received already such a sub- tantial evidence of Gentleman Joe’s ability to back up his word, quickly said: ‘‘No use, boys; the sport from Denver holds all the trumps, and he has the name of knowing how to play them.’’ ee,