Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

THE LAUGHING RIDER. “ Good-by!” yelled Billy from the op- posite bank. ‘ Don’t tell her I got wet!” And Willis, riding a spent horse along the edge of the cut bank, saw his quarry dis- appear. All of which explains why Billy did not get to Sleepy River until the chill evening had arrived and the lights were alight in the main street. CHAPTER XXV. FURTHER COLLECTIONS. ILLY’S first consideration upon riding B into Sleepy River was Concho. He had rested and refreshed her after her gruelling ride, and now sought a place off the beaten way where he might leave her surrounded by such dried and yellow grasses aS appeal to vegetarian appetites. He then strolled over to Mr. Tazewell’s store. Tacked to the wall under the porch, and faintly discernible in the dim light from the store window, he noticed two handbills; and they interested him deeply. For his own name bore a conspicuous place in one, and the other was dedicated to a minute description of Samuel Menzies. They both confirmed Billy’s knowledge of the fact that he and Menzies were ar- dently wanted by the police. He tore down his own advertisement and thrust it in his pocket. Entering the store, he found it thronged with Wednesday evening shoppers. Mr. Tazewell’s store was not cramped for room, and yet it seemed that this evening there was little space not occupied. Women and children did their business among the coun- ters, and conversed in little groups where they were most in the way. At the rear a very hot base burner stove deceived a group of men about town with the illusion that they were wholesomely comfortable because they were overheated. Billy didnot intrude obstreperously into this male gathering. He merely lounged up to the first space along the counter which presented itself. This was not far from the door, and Tazewell’s antediluvian and one- legged assistant stood near a breach in the counter, gossiping. 751 “How much Brexton’s fine cut you got?” asked Billy. <4 Huh?” “Pay ’tention, grandpa; I want all the Brexton’s fine cut tobacco you got.” Billy scrutinized the tobacco stock be- hind the counter. “ But we just keep it for Sergeant Mac- Quillan,” protested the ancient. “ You don’t understand,” said Billy. “TI want it.” : To the horror of the venerable clerk, he strode through the breach in the counter and seized the four last cartons of Brex- ton’s fine cut that Sleepy River possessed. ~“ You can’t have that!” cried the an- cient. “T got it,” pointed out Billy. much?” “You'll have to see Mr. Tazewell.” T will.” The aged man stumped to the rear, where Mr. Nicholas Tazewell kept his glass eye on vacancy and his good one on the cash register; and Billy strode to the~rear as well. But he did not immediately approach Mr. Tazewell. He first pushed his way to the stove, opened the iron door, and deposited the four cartons of tobacco upon the blazing coals. He clanged the door shut just as Mr. Tazewell lumbered wrathfully forward at the call of his henchman. “Young man—” Mr. Tazewell started to bluster; but stopped short as he recog- nized his customer. Seven other gentlemen, recognizing Billy at the same time, sent their chairs back with a clatter. © So Billy, his back to the stove, had a talk with them. While he talked he stood with his coat flap thrown backward, his thumbs in his belt, and the butt of his re- volver painfully conspicuous. “ That’s me!” he answered. nine next birthday.” “What does this mean?” asked Mr. Tazewell. “You fellers pull that every deal,” said Billy, and his voice tinkled ominously. ‘“ MacQuillan’s gunning for you,” quoth another. “ Better light out.” “I did,” said Billy. ‘“ This is where I its? “ How “ ‘Twenty- Gomichbooksreo