Pulp Fiction, 1934 · page 39 of 148
Western Story Magazine, May 12, 1934 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Analysis This is **story prose** from page 37 of a pulp fiction Western titled "Outlaws of Calico Hole." The page depicts two connected scenes: first, a deputy arresting a character named Al Ford and discussing his case with a prosecutor who vows to execute him within thirty days; second, a character named Dan Stuart visiting a general store where he trades gold nuggets for supplies while deflecting questions about their origin. The narrative appears to involve mining strikes, legal persecution, and frontier intrigue typical of early-20th-century Western pulp fiction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Outlaws Of Calico Hole | | 37 deputy peered closer. “Al Ford! I wouldn’t have known you.” ~ “T look. different,’ Al said; “I’ve been out in the fresh air and sun.” “Tt looks like a case of revenge. You'll swing sure for this.” The deputy snapped handcuffs about Al’s wrists. “Come on.” “Back to the damp cell again, ehr” Al said bitterly. “No, not this time. The Texas Rangers have that business under fire. We're expecting a man any time to show up and ask questions about prisoners who died awaiting trial.” He hurried Al along. “I never favored such treatment for an outlaw, anyway. Arrest ‘em; try ’em; hang *em—that’s my motto. But Beasley and his crowd run the country, and I had nothing to say about it.” Al recognized him as a deputy who was kept on the fringe of the county most of the time. He ap- peared to have plenty of the stuff a Western peace officer needs. Al was hurried into an upper cell, where there was plenty of fresh air and a fine view of the wall and guards. An hour later the prosecuting at- torney appeared to ask questions and briefly discuss the matter with the deputy. “We'll make a record for speed in this case,” the prosecutor said _tersely. “We should have him in the penitentiary, ready to be hanged, within thirty days.” The deputy nodded as the two walked away. CHAPTER VII. STAMPEDE. AN STUART, as Hi a D ning, returned to the cabin unnoticed in the excitement. - A grim smile played around his lips. “Tl say this much for Al—when he said he was willing to die for me, he wasn't talking through his hat. The loyalty of a young fellow i is an amaz- ing and beautiful thing.” Having made this observation, Dan prepared and ate a good meal, then made his way to Dick Mitch- ell’s general store. He turned his coat up about his ears and pulled his hat down over his eyes. “I want some grub,” he explained. “T’ve made a little strike, so I'll pay you for it in gold.” “Gold, eh?” Mitchell’s interest quickened. “T -haven’t used my gold scales in years. Where’s the strike?” “Didn’t say,’ Dan answered briefly. “It'll be mostly bacon, flour, sugar, coffee, and—you know what I need.” Several men gathered about and began to ask questions. Dan put them off with evasive answers and walked about the store, peering into show cases. When he opened the poke and displayed the nuggets, the men were six deep about him. Mitchell weighed out the gold, and his fingers seemed to caress each nugget. “As pretty gold as I’ve ever seen,’ he said. “‘Where’d you say it came from?” “Didn’t say,” Dan replied again. A friendly hand fell on Dan’s shoulder. “Say, old-timer, have a little drink.” | “Nope,” Dan snapped. “Still, it’s been a long time since I had a good snort of whisky.” He accepted the bottle and eyed it with approval. “Well, one little drink never hurt nobody.’ He swallowed an ounce | or two. “Ah! That hit the spot.” “Take a swig of mine,” urged a second man. same man again. years off your life.” “If it don’t knock my teeth out,” Dan retorted. He. drank.) again... It'll knock ten “You'll never be the _-