Avon Fantasy Reader No. 7 — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

a. | s By STHEGUN - | tap Se _ Parker grunted. “I was doing some target practice with it.” _ The smith nodded and twirled the cylinder, then snapped the trigger. “It "seems to work all right.” | a “Oh, yes, that wasn’t what I wanted. I’m interested in getting an idea of the _ gun’s value; that’s all.” | | | p Ob! Well, it’s a Navy. Colt. Probably the best revolver ever made by _ Samuel Colt. So good that almost every gun you find of its type is still in _ working condition.” : _ “What’s it worth?” ‘ _ That’s the trouble. Colt made six hundred thousand of these and a good _ many thousand are still in existence. Maybe twelve-fifteen dollars.” “This one’s worth more,” growled Parker. “A good deal more.” “Not to me it isn’t. Pve got a half dozen in the shop now.” “As good as this one?” “Every bit. P’ll show you... .” “But you can’t shoot then», The bullets—” _ The gunsmith smiled. “A. good many gun fanciers still shoot these guns. [| _ catry a supply of caps, balls and the old-time paper cartridges.” _ “Let’s see them,” Parker cried eagerly. _ The gunsmith hesitated a moment, then shrugged and went to a shelf. He brought out three boxés of different sizes and putting them on the glass counter, picked up Parker’s Navy Colt. He detached the small. ramrod and used it to remove the used copper caps. 7 , He replaced them with new from a box and then picked up a paper car- _ tridge containing powder. He tore the paper with his teeth and poured powder _ into a chamber after which he wrapped a lead ball into a flannel patch and poked it down on top of the powder. ke Parker watched the proceedings closely, but when the gunsmith had loaded three chambers he suddenly snatched the gun from his hands. “I can ill the test myself. Now bring out your money!” | The: gunsmith’s mouth fell open in astonishment. “What-what?” “You heard me; shell out. This is a hold-up.” : “But—but I haven’t got any money—” : “Pim goimg to count up to three,” Parker said, ominously. “One—two—” “TIl give it to you,” cried the gunsmith. “Just a minute and [lf give you everything I’ve got.” He scrambled to an old steel safe and began fumbling with the combination. . _-He got it right after a couple of false attempts and swung open the door. His Pe ™ ECOMIGCHOOKSHGO