2-Gun Western, February 1954 — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

74 voice. “Get out before I throw you out.” Which was kind of funny, be- ‘cause Burlap was six-foot six, and Stowe around five-seven. “I wouldn’t give you a job combin’ fleas.” “Mebbe,’ said Burlap, hastening through the door, “yuh oughta see Princess Zaza. She’s beautiful. She might tell you what’s gonna happen riext,-” He was well towards his horse by the time he’d said it. at was noticed by the citizens of Piute, atterwards, that Sheriff Stowe hung around the saloon a lot. Livery- man Shultz caught him making for tue back stairs to the fortune-tell- ers once. “yatcua up to, Bill?” he asked curiously. “Reckoned yuh didn’t have no time tor them ball-gazers.” The lawman crimsoned slightly. “I, uh, gonna see the Princess about her rent,’ he muttered. “Uh, trouble of comin’ tuh my office.” But he hurried up when the other had left. Stowe came out of the Prin- cess’ place an hour later, beaming, and minus a five-dollar bill from his pants. “Creat little lady,” he told him- self aloud. “What she said about me is true. I ain’t so old, er bad-lookin’ at that. Reckon I might shave every day now. Pays a man tuh keep hisself up to snuff.” Meanwhile, the frequent street hi- jacking continued. Burlap Bates kept on seeing the Princess Zaza. He saw her so often, folks began to talk. And when they began to talk in Piute town, they real- ly didn’t fool. The men folk made fun of Burlap, the women frowned on him, “That hussy!” chopped old Sarah Hesterberry, bobbing her midget parasol indignantly. “She’s got the men her. wrapped around her thumb. I hope she hooks Burlap Bates good. Serve him right, for throwin’ his hard-earned money away on her like that.” “Humph!” Mrs. Farthington-Swills sniffed, straightened her hair-knot in back. “I told you so. Burlap never did amount to much. He and that woman will make a good pair.” - “Well,” shrilled little Uny Watson, “I reckon the sheriff’'ll have some- save her — 2-GUN WESTERN thing to say to that.” She giggled into her blue handkerchief. : ~The man referred to was then wad- dling down the street. Sheriff Bill Stowe sported a red carnation in his shirt front, .nd a broad smile on his fat face. He was humming a little range song in a sour tenor. The key to the song shifted when he spotted Burlap Bates striding towards him. Sheriff Stowe puffed up like a big toad, glared at the tall puncher. “Bates,” he said tensely. “I’m tell- in’ you for the last time to stay away from the Princess. You ain’t goin’ to see her just for yer fortune. You're moon-crazy about hes Well, you lis- sen’to me. The Princess an’ me are gonna get hitched, see? She as much as told me she cared, last night. So clear out and tend to yer own knittin’, fella. Understand?” Burlap Bates was chewing method- ically on a cedar twig. “Sheriff,” he drawled, “I just now had a long talk with the mayor. Seems he ain’t at all satisfied with the way you're gettin’ after them holdups. Rest of the town ain’t neither. Something’s gonna be done about it, I reckon.” . “Meaning which?” jerked the law- man, bristling. “Meaning,” continued Burlap, un- perturbed, “you an’ me had’ better see the Princess pronto. I got a hunch she can give us a lead on them rob- bin’s. Told me the other day the crystal was clearin’ more an’ more. Stowe, that’s the wonderfulest gal I ever laid eyes on.” Bill Stowe nodded. “You tellin’ me? Knowed it the minute I met her. But come on. If she’s got something to tell about th’ holdups, I want to hear it. But you lay offen her after this, yuh hear? Her an’ me’s gonna be hitched.” The pair passed Aces Raine smok- ing on the Hardware store porch. “Goin’ for another readin’ at the Prin- cess’, shouted Burlap. “Wanta drag along?” ‘ Raine dropped his cigarette as if it had burned him. “Huh? Readin’— Uh; sorry, gents, but I got business to tend to.” He got up quickly from his chair, melted in the store’s entrance. COPMICLOOOKS (E@)