Pulp Fiction, 1953 · page 29 of 116
Fifteen Western Tales, January 1953 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Analysis This is story prose from a pulp-fiction Western, page 29 of "The Deadly Second." The narrative follows Mattie, wife of Sheriff Andrew, as she learns that her husband—whose gun arm remains stiff from an injury—will face off against Bob Dell, a dangerous gunfighter who has refused to leave town. Mattie desperately tries to convince the Hunsakers (store owners) that someone must prevent the confrontation, fearing Andrew cannot win despite his weakened condition. The passage depicts escalating tension as the showdown approaches, with the clock in the courthouse tower showing ten minutes before the hour.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
_ THE DEADLY SECOND 29 kindly pair. . knew that well. And she knew they were sorry for her. It was easy to see in their eyes, in their embarrassed manner, for they were simple people, not skilled at pretense. She listened to Pamela’s toe-rapid discus- sion of the new ginghams and fingered their textures lovingly with fingers that were numb. And she, too, tried to pretend, as the Hunsakers were trying. But her mind was racing. ‘So it’s a showdown,” she thought. ‘An- drew’s going to fight him. In spite of his sore arm.” And she knew, with awful cer- tainty, that Andrew could not win. Not with his draw slowed down by that stiff arm... hurt two weeks ago when he’d stopped a run- away horse on the public square. “That pink and white check’d look awful pretty on you; goes just right with your blue eyes and yellow hair.”” Pamela was holding up a bolt of cloth for her -to admire. But Mattie wasn’t listening any longer. She was through pretending. She had to talk. To try. Had to do something before she snapped inside. She pushed back the bolt of gay cloth. “Pam... Will. in no condition to fight. It’s all he can do to hold a gun . . . or even use his hand to feed himself.” She stopped, staring at them, from one face to thé other. | It was hopeless. She saw it in their faces. Andrew was the sheriff. He’d ordered Bob Dell to leave Painted Rock. She’d overheard scraps of conversation, broken off abruptly _ when she appeared, at the post office earlier in the morning. Now she knew Bob Dell hadn’t left town, didn’t intend to leave. He ‘intended to stay and fight it out with the sheriff .. . Andrew. And, stiff arm or not, Andrew would face him, meet him for the showdown to see .who was ‘boss in Painted Rock . . . law or outlaw. There was nothing she could do. But she had to try. Will Hunsaker was squinting out the front door of the store. His leathery, lined face wore an expression of acute unhappiness as he stared over toward the new yellow brick courthouse in the square. Gazing over his shoulder, Mattie saw that the clock in the tower said six minutes before ten. The store keeper shook his head and turned toward her. ‘‘Andy’s our sheriff, . friends of Andrew’s too. She» ” she began. Then, rush- ing on. “Can't somebody stop it? Andrew’s | Mattie,” he said softly. He added, “And a . good one.” ‘And he’s also my husband .. . and I don’t want to lose him.’”’ Mattie said through stiff lips. “T know. I know.” Will said gently. Then he shook his head, sadly this time. “But he figures he’s got his job to do. I don’t reckon he’d want anybody interferin’ in his affairs. And if he’s made up his mind he won’t change it. He never does.”’. Mattie broke in hotly. “But what differ- ence does it make whether Bob Dell leaves town or not.” Her voice was high, strained. ‘““Suppose Andrew did order him to leave... and he doesn’t go? What of it?” She felt Pamela’s hand, in a gesture meant to be soothing, sympathetic, on her arm but she shook it off. “Why does it matter? Why?” ya HUNSAKER tried to explain pa- tiently. “Bob Dell’s a gunfighter. mean man. He’s like a diamond back rattler. A Apt to strike anytime and at anybody in = reach. And he’s lookin’ fer trouble. If he stays in- town somebody’s apt to get killed . That’s why Andy told ’im to get out of town. Figured it was his job to make him leave before Bob decides to throw down on. ' somebody.” “That isn’t it.” Mattie cried. “You know it isn’t. Bob Dell’s been trying for a year to get a showdown with Andrew. When he’d. have an advantage, like now; when Andrew’s arm is still stiff.” She twisted her hands - nervously. ‘Oh, when w7// this country start being. civilized?” Pamela answered as Mattie knew she would. “Don’t you see, honey?” she said, and her voice was:low, soft, intense, ‘“That’s why Andy’s standing up to Bob Dell. Andy’s part of what you just called civilization: He’s the Law: and the Law means civilization. And if the sheriff lets an outlaw gunfighter back him down— ” She hesitated, then pointed to the new courthouse. ‘Well, that new courthouse over there just wouldn’t mean a thing.” -But Mattie didn’t sand to listen. She pushed past her, eyes blind with sudden tears. They didn’t attempt to stop her. They’d tried to help, tried to make her un- derstand, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to. She just wanted to save Andrew—her Andrew. Outside her little heels beat an angry COMmiCcboooks CO