Post on 03-Jun-2018
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
1/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
2/694
The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sherif
of Badger, by George B. Pattullo
This eBook is for the use of anyone
anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You ma
copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project
Gutenberg License includedwith this eBook or online at
www.gutenberg.org
Title: The Sheriff of Badger
A Tale of the Southwest Borderland
Author: George B. Pattullo
Release Date: November 11, 2010 [EBook
#34281]
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
3/694
THE SHERIFF OF BADGER ***
Produced by Roberta Staehlin, David
Garcia, Mary Meehan
and the Online Distributed Proofreading
Team at
http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from imagesgenerously made available by The Internet
Archive/American
Libraries.)
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
4/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
5/694
The SHERIFF OFBADGER
A TALE OF THE
SOUTHWEST
BORDERLAND
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
6/694
BY GEORGE
PATTULLO
ILLUSTRATED
D. APPLETON AND
COMPANY
NEW YORK AND
LONDON: MCMXII
Copyright, 1912, by
D. APPLETON AND
COMPANY
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
7/694
Copyright, 1909, 1911, by
The Curtis Publishing
CompanyCopyright, 1911, 1912, by
Street and Smith
Copyright, 1910, by thePearson Publishing Company
>Published June, 1912
Printed in the United Statesof America
Acknowledgments are due toThe Saturday EveningPost,
Pearson's Magazineand The
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
8/694
Popular Magazinefor
permission to use some of the
material in this book.
TO
A. W. BALLANTYNE
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
9/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
10/694
The Sheriff of Badger
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
11/694
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. Lafe Johnson Arrives a
Lazy L Ranch
CHAPTER II. Certain Complication
Result
CHAPTER III. Concerning a Baby's Wail
CHAPTER IV. Out of a Job
CHAPTER V. An Incipient Love AffairCHAPTER VI. Discomfiture of
Gunfighter
CHAPTER VII. Johnson is Elected Sherif
of BadgerCHAPTER VIII. A Feud and What Cam
of It
CHAPTER IX. An Inquest and a Surprise
CHAPTER X. A Journey To Satan'
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
12/694
Kingdom
CHAPTER XI. A Waitress to the Rescue
CHAPTER XII. The Sheriff Settles
Conjugal DisputeCHAPTER XIII. And Hetty Comes t
Badger to Live
CHAPTER XIV. The Sheriff Ensnared
CHAPTER XV. How He Won a WifeCHAPTER XVI. The Gunfighter Return
and Delays Wedding
CHAPTER XVII. Johnson Meets a Frien
of Hetty's
CHAPTER XVIII. A Sacrifice and It
Punishment
CHAPTER XIX. Buffalo Jim Gives WisCounsel
CHAPTER XX. The Sheriff Purges Tow
of Badger
CHAPTER XXI. A Fight in the Dark
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
13/694
CHAPTER XXII. Capture of Moffatt, th
Gunman
CHAPTER XXIII. The Wedding
CHAPTER XXIV. The Bride is LostCHAPTER XXV. Johnson Becomes Bos
of the Anvil
CHAPTER XXVI. Enters Trouble
CHAPTER XXVII. A Clever Woman ana Misunderstanding
CHAPTER XXVIII. ReconciliationMrs
Vining Experiences a Change of Heart
CHAPTER XXIX. Lafe Helps a Deserter
CHAPTER XXX. And Discovers Hetty'
Brother
CHAPTER XXXI. Great Expectations iJohnson Family
CHAPTER XXXII. Birth of Lafe Johnson
Jr.
CHAPTER XXXIII. Johnson Once Mor
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
14/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
15/694
CHAPTER XLV. The End
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
16/694
LIST OF
ILLUSTRATIONS
The Sheriff of Badger
"She and Johnson rode together ever
day"
"As Lafe was coming from dinner ... Mexican handed him a letter"
"So now Lafe, Jr., flattened out in hi
fissure in equal danger with his father"
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
17/694
THE SHERIFF OF
BADGER
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
18/694
CHAPTER I
LAFE JOHNSON ARRIVES
AT THE LAZY L RANCH
t may come as a shock to many to lear
hat we have in cowland a considerabl
number of full-blooded men who hav
never made it a practice to step outsid
he door of a morning and shoot a fellow
citizen before breakfast. This is true; vita
statistics and fiction to the contrarynotwithstanding. They are well-grown
wo-fisted men, also, and work very har
seven days in the week, and wheneve
hey go to town they get drunk. But in th
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
19/694
main they are law-abiding, and stea
calves only for their employers.
There was Lafe Johnson. This story hahim for its central figure.
"It's right queer about men," Lafe used t
say, when in a reflective mood. "A felle
will knock in a friend what he'd be like t
do himself. And he'll act mean one day so
he's sure ashamed of it the next. Yes, sir
he best of 'em will. It all depends on howa man feels, I reckon, and what shape hi
stomach's in. No man ain't always going t
do the right thing, and I've never met
feller yet who was all bad. What's morenobody thinks he's bad, or I expect h
wouldn't be. Don't you reckon? Why,
man'll be plucky one day and the nex
morning he'd cry if a jackrabbit was t
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
20/694
slap him in the face."
Lafe started man's estate as a cowboy
What his antecedents were I don't knowand don't care, nor did anybody else in ou
country. We have so many more importan
matters to engage us. Punching cattl
happened to be his profession. In everother respect Lafe was a norma
ndividualno better than you or I, an
assuredly no worse. Some thought he wa
worse, and among them a Mrs. Traceyor she pretended towho thought that an
a few other things besides. That was wh
Mrs. Floyd, just before Johnson departe
he ranch, insisted that he accompany heo the Tracey home in Rowdy Caon.
"I'll tell her to her face what I think," sh
said.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
21/694
Lafe tried to pacify her.
"I ain't much of a fighter, ma'am," he said
"You'd better go alone and have it outMiz Tracey, she's got me scared off the
map right now."
"You'll come, too!" Mrs. Floyd assured
him, pulling on her gauntlets.
This is what Mrs. Floyd said, sitting he
horse in front of the Tracey gate, he
erstwhile friend being on the veranda
"I've heard the stories you've bee
spreading about me, Tracey!"
"Stories? Gracious, what's got into youSally? I never mentioned your name! D
you reckon I've got nothing better to tal
about?"
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
22/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
23/694
discover any grounds for pride in Mr
Johnson's acquaintance. Upon which sh
slammed the door.
"Now, I wonder if that lady mean
something?" Lafe murmured gently.
That was forever the way. People wer
never indifferent to Johnson. They eithe
swore by him or execrated his name
which ought to be held to his credit. A
man's virtues must be negative if he makno enemies.
Here is the story of Lafe's advent in ou
part of the worldmerely the facts, an
not the tale Mrs. Tracey spread. No man
will blame him, and let those of her se
udge Mrs. Floyd who have never erred
hair's breadth. We will then consider the
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
24/694
ury.
The Lazy L outfit was loading a train wit
cattleones and twos, graded stuff ansome bullswhen Johnson first appeared
He arrived on a freight, presumably. It i
my belief he was heading back for Texa
on the bumpers of an eastbound thapassed. It stopped for water and h
dropped off when he perceived u
shipping.
Forty yearlings had been manhandled an
heaved into a car, and one old bull wa
added which would eventually visi
eastern parts in tins. Perhaps the rangmonarch had some suspicion of this, for h
urned round to walk out. They yelled, an
prodded at his neck and ribs with poles
but the bull shook his head in settle
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
25/694
determination and started down the chute
f he gained the crowding pen, wher
more yearlings and another bull waited
here would be a fight and a lot of mussinand long delay. The boss danced up and
down, swearing like a moss-trooper.
"Bar the chute! Bar the chute!" he yellefrom the top of the corral fence.
Ere the poles could be thrust in, a seed
ndividual stepped down directly in fronof the giant Hereford and began to las
him furiously over the face with a rope.
"Come out of there! You'll get killed
Come out!" cried the boss.
The bull bellowed with rage, but the stin
of the blows forced his head up. Bloo
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
26/694
rickled down his nose, and there wer
ivid wales above the eyes. One lurc
forward and this man would be crushed
but the rope cut fiercely and withoupause, and the bull began to back. Th
stranger did not let up, but drove him int
he car with savage recklessness.
"What the Sam Hill are you, anyhow?
said the boss, straddling the fence. "A
circus or a town cowboy?"
ow, a "town cowboy" is a term o
reproach among us, signifying a youn
man who never did range work, but wear
he clothes and does trick roping for thdelectation of visitors. Ultimately he join
a Wild West show and instructs the rising
generation.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
27/694
"I reckon you're cleverer than me,
Johnson said, "but you ain't awake to m
yet. Turn over. You're on your back."
Without concerning himself further abou
he boss, he clambered out on to th
platform and threw the borrowed rope t
Reb. We saw that he was tall and big obone, and his shoulders had an indolen
droop. Although he could not have bee
over twenty-five, his hair was plentifull
flecked with gray.
Presently Buffalo Jim, who was keepin
ally of the cattle going through the chute
ost count and admitted frankly that hcould not say whether there were thirty
seven or forty in the car. He tried to
appear grave in confessing this, but wa
unable to repress a snigger. Everythin
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
28/694
would have gone smoothly, he contended
had he not chanced to recall a story Uncl
Hi Millet had told him the previous night.
"If that feller could count up to fifty," said
Johnson, in an aside to the buyer, "h
would be back in Texas still, a-teaching
school."
"Hello, Lafe!" the other exclaimed
"Where did you drop from? Want a job?
Seventy a month?"
"Eighty."
"No, sir; seventy."
"Eighty. I got a lot of unfinished busines
down the line unless."
"Have it your own way. Eighty it is. Fly a
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
29/694
t."
Johnson replaced Buffalo Jim and sat on
board between two posts, dangling hiegs, staring at everything but the plungin
steers. Yet he never once failed to tally.
The boss's wife rode up to the corrals
With her was Mrs. Tracey.
"Who's them there ladies?" Laf
whispered to a cowboy who wielded
prodpole.
"That pretty one's Miz Floyd. I cain
rightly see the other. Oh, yes. Shore. She'
a widow womanowns a flock of mineway up in them mountains."
"The pretty one's the one I meant," sai
Lafe.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
30/694
We sealed the door of the last car, and a
brakeman waved to the engineer to pul
forward. The buyer grabbed Lafe by th
shoulder and jabbered instructions into hiear. Then he caught the caboose rail as i
sped by, and Johnson informed the amazed
Floyd that he had been commissioned t
receive the other herds when gathered.
"And he don't even know your name? Oh
he does? All the same, that's sure rushin
t. Glad to do business with you, anyhowwant you to be acquainted with my wife
Shake hands with Mr. Johnson, Sally."
Mrs. Floyd came down the platformstriding like a man. She was wearing
divided skirt, very useful-looking spurs o
her high-heeled boots, and a man's felt hat
All the cowboys stopped work to eye her
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
31/694
She was only twenty-two and had a
amazingly trim figure. With tha
meaningless smile of polite welcome wit
which a woman greets her husband'friends, Mrs. Floyd drew off a glove t
give Johnson her hand.
"Lafe Johnson! Lafe!" she squealed. Andwith that she was pumping the big fellow'
arm up and down, her cheeks red wit
excitement.
"Why, it's li'l Sally!"
"I take it you two know each other," said
her husband mildly.
"Do we? Why, we were raised together
Tom. Lafe was one of my best beaux
Weren't you, Lafe?"
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
32/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
33/694
manner of executing it.
"What does she mean by that?" said Sall
hotly."Who? What?"
"The way she went off there. Didn't yo
see her? You'd think weoh, I don't knowhow to say it."
"I reckon this lady knows her way about
ma'am?"
"She's awfully nice, Lafe. Really she is
When we're alone, I love her. Bu
sometimes, when men are aroundwelyou saw how she acted."
"Sure," said Lafe, in his soft bass, and h
grinned at her. "It ain't what she does, bu
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
34/694
t's what she don't do. That smile sh
smothers, now"
"Have you noticed that, too? Tom didvery first thing. He doesn't like her."
Johnson asked her of her marriage an
how it had come about. It was five year
since he had seen her, wasn't it? Mrs
Floyd said four, and he murmured that i
seemed longer. She laughed, but wa
pleased, nevertheless. As they rode, shstudied him without disguise, an
remarked that the gray in his hair was a
mprovement. He was dressed ver
poorly, and his boots were down at thheel and worn through the soles, but sh
did not appear to notice their plight and h
suffered no confusion therefrom. Twice
she detected him looking from her to Tom
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
35/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
36/694
ever sober you," she called over he
shoulder. "RememberI'm a married
woman, Lafe Johnson."
"I won't forget it if you don't, ma'am," h
said amiably, upon which she gave him
fearfully stern look and giggled.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
37/694
CHAPTER II
CERTAIN
COMPLICATIONS RESULT
Many authorities assert that a man's look
count for nothing in the pursuit of wome
and the game of love. And they seem to
have the rights of the matter. Citations can
be had in plenty. Take the case of the Lazy
L boss. Floyd was not unlike an amiabl
gorilla. Well over the two-score mark inyears, he rambled somewhat in his shape
n the first place, his shoulders were to
broad for his height, and his jaw an
mouth were entirely too wide. Moreover
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
38/694
his legs had the liveliest scorn one for th
other. The boss always compelled interes
and respect, it is true; but so does
bulldog. Yet he owned the Lazy L and alts herds; he had the prettiest wife in th
country, and there were those who said
she adored him; and he had a son and heir
wo years old. All of which set Lafe tomarveling over the inscrutable contriving
of Providence.
t was seven miles from the shipping peno the ranch, another seven to the Trace
home. Consequently the widow stayed t
supper, though it meant enduring Floyd'
cold scrutiny for an hour of chat. The boswas civil to her in a heavy, formal way
bestowing sidelong looks when he wa
persuaded she could not see him
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
39/694
However, there was a full moon and i
would fall to Johnson to take her home
She was a persevering woman.
Floyd presented himself to his wife on th
second day and said, in his usual blun
style: "Sally, better be decent to tha
fellow Johnson. Will you?"
"Why, sure, Tom. What's got into you
head now?"
"Some of this last bunch of cattle ar
awful poor stuff. Where the tarnation Re
picked up these brindles and swayback
and old, hipped long-horns beats me. Laf
will cut 'em all back. He'll just go throug
hat herd like a prairie fire. So keep him i
a good humor, Sally, will you? Is it a go?
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
40/694
"Tom, you're dreadful. Do you think I'l
help you cheat Mr. Horne by flirting wit
Lafe? You ought to be ashamed o
yourself, Tom Floyd."
"Who asked you to flirt? I've seen yo
mighty handy with them eyes of yours o
other fellows, without being asked," hsaid good-humoredly.
"Oh, what a lie, Tom! I won't. Remember
won't."
But, being a good wife, she did.
Autumn was rattling the dry bones o
summer, and she and Johnson rodogether every day. A keen southwes
wind swirled the dead grass and leave
about their horses' feet. He would listen t
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
41/694
her chatter by the hour, watching the pin
grow in her cheeks. Lafe was very good
humored, indeed. With the improvement i
his circumstances had come a markemprovement in appearance. He ha
mported what is known as a "hand-me
down" suit at the cost of a week's pay, and
he took a pardonable pride in it, for threason that the tailors expressly stated i
heir advertising that they catered only t
gentlemen of refined tastes. Also, he had
done some trafficking with Buffalo Jim
hereby obtaining a pair of whole boots.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
42/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
43/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
44/694
did not perceive what was growing i
Johnson during those two weeks o
companionship, although we may b
convinced that even a stupid woman casense it a mile off; and Mrs. Floyd wa
clever. But she would not give ear to he
own doubts.
"That widow won't get him, anyhow," sh
said, standing in front of a mirror. Sh
could not resist giving her hips a
approving pat, and she smiled.
One evening, as they sat on the veranda
Lafe put up a forefinger languidly an
ouched a stray curl. She dashed his hanaway.
"It's just as black and silky as ever," h
said.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
45/694
"Perhaps. But you keep your hands off! D
you hear?" Then she added: "There's n
gray in it, anyhow."
Just for whom this shaft was meant wil
ever remain a profound mystery. Bot
Lafe and Mrs. Tracey had gray in thei
hair. That night Sally was demonstrativwith Floyd, hanging over the back of hi
chair with her hands locked under his chi
and her face snuggling against the top o
his head. The boss blew clouds of smokand seemed gently amused. Thes
manifestations of devotion had becom
frequent of late, but it should not be hastil
nferred that because Lafe was a spectatohey were done for his benefit. That coul
not be, because he took them with suc
extraordinary fortitude. If he wa
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
46/694
harassed, Johnson stifled all expression o
his condition grandly.
Floyd was much away from homeSometimes he was in the south, buyin
stock cattle. Again, he went north and eas
o sell of his herds. Sally told Lafe that h
eft her alone too much. Lafe coughed ansaid something unintelligible, and lighte
a cigarette.
"What did you say?" she asked sharply.
"When a feller is getting old and ain't go
ong to live"
"You quit that kind of talk right now. won't stand for it."
t was the first time she had been reall
angry at any of his frequent sallie
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
47/694
concerning Floyd, and it put them at onc
on a different footing. The safe franknes
of raillery was gone.
Alas, that Lafe could draw the line s
sharply between business and th
courtesies of leisure hours. A trail herd
arrived. They plied Johnson with strondrink and worked in relays to get hi
drunk. He partook sociably, but withou
noticeable impairment of his faculties, an
he cut the herd ruthlessly to a remnant. Thboss grew dizzy figuring his losses an
departed from the roundup, unable t
endure the spectacle without interference
eaving instructions to be notified whehe fool was done.
"I'm working for Horne," said Laf
cheerfully. "Did you think I couldn't tell
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
48/694
wo-year-old from a three, Floyd? Thos
boys tried to run a bunch by me."
Mrs. Tracey drove over to the Floydheadquarters twice, on matters relating t
a recipe for a cake and certain patterns
and then asked her friend and Mr. Johnso
o dinner. She invited Floyd, too, but iwas done so perfunctorily that Sally fel
he stab and was furious. However, sh
went. The widow was as sleek as a kitte
and wore such a secretive air that MrsFloyd had much ado to keep her tempe
during the meal. Afterward, Mrs. Tracey
excused herself for a few minutes on som
pretext and left them alone in the sittingroom. When she had to pass through o
her way upstairs, she hurried as thoug
ntruding, and said: "Oh, I beg you
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
49/694
pardon!"
"The cat!" Mrs. Floyd cried, gritting he
eeth."There wasn't no call for her to say that?"
"Of course there wasn't, booby. Tha
doesn't make it any better. It makes iworse."
Two days later: "Now guess what?"
"I done quit guessing," Johnson answered
"That Tracey woman tried to tell me thi
morning that my Tom was too friendly
with one of those Baptismo girls."
"Pshaw!" said Lafe. "Pshaw! What doe
she want to go and tell them lies for? Wha
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
50/694
good does it do?"
"You don't see?"
"I reckon I'm dull."
"Oh, you great baby!" Mrs. Floyd gurgle
delightedly.
This display of malice disturbed Laf
greatly. Such weapons were beyond hi
knowledge and capacity, and he felt hotl
uncomfortable when Sally intimated thahey might expect Mrs. Tracey to b
alking of them nextif, indeed, she ha
not done so already. She was for going to
Rowdy Caon without delay to bestow ongue-lashing on the widow.
"What's the use?" the cowboy said. "He
alk can't hurt nobody. They all know
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
51/694
you."
"Some people will believe her."
"Some people will do anything. Nevebother with poor trash, Sally. It don
matter what that kind thinks. Leave her be
What can you expect from a pig but
grunt?"
That was no way to speak of a lady, bu
Mrs. Floyd jumped from her chair an
cried "Goody!", greatly consoled. Jus
before the evening meal, she put on a pin
dress for which Lafe had professe
admiration, and parted her hair in th
middle. Had there been a woman withi
seven miles, she would not have done this
but Lafe liked it that way. So also did he
husband, for that matter.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
52/694
"As if I'd get jealous of Tom!" she sniffed
"Huh! you won't get Lafe that way, m
ady."
have said that they rode together ever
day. Sometimes Floyd watched the two
meditatively. His instructions were bein
carried outno doubt of thatanJohnson was good-natured. But the bos
was a silent man and opposed n
objection. As for Sally, if she gave it a
hought at all, she probably founustification in a dozen reasons a woma
would appreciate, which are beyond mal
ken.
Lafe helped her down from her horse lat
one afternoon, though she needed no help
And he held her for just the fraction of
second. She stiffened with an injured air
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
53/694
but she did not reprove him. On anothe
occasionthey were on the veranda and i
was growing to duskafter starin
helplessly at her for a full quarter of ahour, while she purposely said as little a
possible and toyed with the lace of he
handkerchief, her head on one side that h
might get the benefit of her profilesuddenly he seized her in his arms an
ried to kiss her. He did, in fact, obtain th
merest peck at the tip of her ear.
"You darn fool!" she said, tearing loose.
Then she saw his face, and went hastil
ndoors and huddled in a chair in a darcorner. She sat there until called to
supper, striving to fix recent happenings i
proper sequence.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
54/694
After putting the baby to bed, sh
beckoned Lafe on to the veranda. He
manner was hurried.
"Lafe, you've got to go away. You've go
o go to-morrow."
"Why? I can't, Sally. There's thre
housand more"
"You must! You must! Can't you see?
You've got to go. We're"
"Sure, I see," he said. It was very dark an
he came closer. "You care! That's what i
s. You used to, Sally, and you do now."
"Lafe, let me go! Pleaseplease!"
She broke away and gained the door. Sh
was panting. In the lighted entrance, sh
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
55/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
56/694
o harness for his employer. He neve
gave an order, yet the boys obeyed hi
slow-voiced suggestions with the sam
promptitude they gave to the boss's crispcommands. Lafe could always ge
obedience without visible exercise o
authority. He knew his business and
followed it without fluster.
At sunset, a cloud of dust whirled madl
across country, with the rain close behind
t. Sally ate aloneLafe had evidentlstayed at the bunkhouseand she fel
vaguely resentful. About nine she tucked
he child into his bed and went out on t
he veranda. The wind was dying, and thrain fell in a soft, steady murmur.
Johnson came running along the pathwa
and took the steps at a jump. He was wet
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
57/694
but jeered at her suggestion that he change
"Only got this one suit," he said. "If it get
o shrinking much more on me, I'll havfor to steal a blanket to-morrow, Sally."
He took a chair beside her and the
watched the lightning play above the blac
umble of hills to the east. Sally uttere
hardly a syllable. When she spoke at al
he words came jerkily. Lafe leaned ove
once to brush some sparks of his cigarettfrom his coat. A delicate perfume reached
him.
"The river," he said, clearing his throat
"the river'll be way up. Bridge is like t
go out."
"I'm afraid so. Oh, dear! Tom promised
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
58/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
59/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
60/694
CHAPTER III
CONCERNING A BABY'S
WAIL
He was gripping both her hands and sh
had not moved. Her lips were open, bu
she seemed powerless to speak. A loud
hump startled the pair. A shrill wail from
he bedroom and Mrs. Floyd sprang up.
The baby had fallen from the bed and wa
now engaged in howling himself purple i
he face. Mrs. Floyd swooped down o
him in a tremor, and gathering him in he
arms, went all over his sturdy body wit
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
61/694
speed and precision, to ascertain in jus
how many places bones were broken.
"Lafe," she cried, "he's bumped his headOh, just look at this lump! My ow
precious darling! Lafe, get the witch
hazel! Quick! No, no! In the bathroom, o
he window sill. Oh, he's holding hibreath! Baby! Baby!"
She shook Tommy until he was forced to
release the air in his lungs, which he let gwith a tearing yell. Johnson brought th
bottle and stood awkwardly holding i
while she applied some of the contents t
a red spot on the baby's forehead. Sallsat in a chair, rocking back and forward
with her lips against her child's neck an
her arms holding him close. Little Tom
clutched her tightly and gradually his crie
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
62/694
and sobs ceased. Lafe tiptoed to the door
He remained there a few minutes to watch
eaning against the jamb. But Sally did no
appear to notice him as she crooned to thbaby, who was sinking to sleep.
Johnson was standing at the edge of th
steps, staring into the blackness, when shcame out. He threw away his cigarette o
hearing her call his name.
"Just look at that dark, Sally, will you?he said. "It beats all."
At the tone of his voice, she cried: "Oh
Lafe, Lafe! I'm so glad!"
Mrs. Floyd did not specify why she wa
glad, nor did Johnson ask her. She gav
him both hands without hesitation, an
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
63/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
64/694
and Floyd stepped stiffly out of the saddle
He gave the reins to Miguel, wh
disappeared toward the corrals at
gallop. The boss was spattered with mudand wringing wet and dog-weary. As he
came into the light, he dragged his feet
and water ran in streams from his overall
and seeped from his boots.
"Tom!" His wife ran to him.
"Don't," he said. "I'm soaking."
"How did you get here? Mercy! You're a
sight. Don't let the rain drip on the rug
Stand over here."
"How's the bridge, Floyd?" Johnso
asked.
"The bridge is down," the boss answered
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
65/694
"We done swum the river." Then he
chuckled grimly. "Miguel, he was plumb
scared, but I pulled a gun on him and mad
him go ahead."
He threw himself into a chair an
removed his muddied spurs.
"I never dreamed you'd get back to-night,
said Sally.
"I said I would, didn't I?"
Johnson, resting his shoulders against th
sitting-room mantel, suddenly bethough
himself and went to his room, whence h
returned briskly with a bottle of whisky.
"This'll keep the cold out."
"Why, you must be half dead, you poor
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
66/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
67/694
running to the kitchen for hot coffee an
oast. Lafe sat backit being his custo
o bring his mouth down to his fork
nstead of his fork up to his mouthansurveyed the scene with much approva
Mrs. Floyd was at that moment pressin
her husband to a second plate o
scrambled eggs.
"There's nothing like a home, after all,
said the boss, with a sigh of satisfaction
"You ought for to get married, Lafe."
"Hell!yes!" said Lafe, who wa
sometimes careless in his speech.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
68/694
CHAPTER IV
OUT OF A JOB
Three days later Johnson left us to gnorth with his last load of cattle. Floy
and his wife were at the pens to say good
by, and waved at him until the caboos
followed the rest of the train around curve. Even Tommy flapped his chubby
fist. And in the course of time Horne paid
him off.
That was in Kansas City. Johnson spen
his earnings in something under thirt
hours and made the return in a day coach
having no money for a berth. Indeed, hi
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
69/694
ast meal, which he procured at a waysid
unch counter in New Mexico, he wa
compelled to charge. It was made easie
for him to do this inasmuch as he haalready eaten the meal. The landlord, afte
slowly thinking it over, said he would
rust Lafe.
ow he was back in the cow country
hopeful that Horne might find furthe
employment for him, for that was the onl
work in which Lafe was content. And hwent to Badger, his credit being good
here until they should discover he had n
money. It behooved him to get a job, wit
winter almost on them, yet the prospecdid not distress Lafe in the least. H
oitered around the Fashion, waiting fo
something to turn up.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
70/694
On a November morn, Buffalo Jim rod
nto Badger from the Lazy L, leading
pack-horse that carried all his worldl
possessions on its back. Buffalo waifted up in heart and scornful of roundups
having just sold a mine. It does no
concern us what sort of mine he sold
although a gentleman from Illinois grewvery nasty over this point subsequently
Suffice that Jim had four hundred dollars.
He told Lafe that he was through with thLazy L and sick cows, and would devot
his future to prospecting. Nobody woul
ever order him around again; he wouldn
stand to be roused out of bed at four in thmorning by Floyd, or any man alive. A
week's work in the hills, a vein of coppe
and here he was with money in hi
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
71/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
72/694
never takes a jaunt into the pleasant by
ways?
So then, Lafe Johnson and Buffalo Jiproceeded to enjoy life in Badger in th
only way they knew. There was really no
adequate physical reason for Shortredge'
name of Buffalo Jim. If one scrutinizehim closely, the difference could b
discerned with comparative ease. Ye
Shortredge possessed traits that made th
appellation peculiarly fitting. Whestorms brew, a buffalo will drift into the
head on, being so constructed by th
Creator. It is yet to be learned that Ji
ever permitted trouble to overtake hiwith his back turned.
They were lying under a pool table in th
Fashion one gusty November dawn, lost i
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
73/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
74/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
75/694
danced two Paul Joneses with her
followed them with a two-step and
waltz; and by that time Miss Hawes wa
giggling in half-hysterical mirth over hepartner's unusual sallies. She slappe
playfully at Lafe when he leaned close t
her ear to whisper.
"Say, you've got your nerve," she said
covering her face with her hands in a
ecstasy of laughter.
"No, I ain't. Honest I ain't. I'm sure shy a
a teeny li'l' rabbit with other girls."
"What makes you go to say them thing
hen?"
"You do. You make me brighten up a
heap. And I'd kind of like to learn to talk
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
76/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
77/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
78/694
"Now I've got you. Sure. He's th
gunfighter. So that's Steve Moffatt?"
Lafe's eyes brightened and one woulhave thought that this discovery was th
only thing needed to complete hi
satisfaction. He grinned genially a
Moffatt when they chanced to meet at MisHawes's side, and exchanged polit
surmises on the outlook for more rain
Said Mr. Johnson, knowing well to th
contrary: "Running sheep?"
"Cattle," said Moffatt shortly.
He studied Lafe with an oblique glance
not at all sure that no insult lurked in th
query. Presently he whisked Miss Hawe
away. The majority of the gentlemen at th
ball held their partners with both hand
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
79/694
around the shoulders, and this metho
afforded excellent opportunity for Grac
o gaze up into Moffatt's eyes. Her ow
were deep blue and singularly enticingSteve's were brown and very, very aler
and steady, and Miss Hawes rapidl
discovered that they refused to waver an
grow uncertain, as was the habit of mosmasculine orbs. To Johnson, thi
exhibition seemed crude, even raw. H
went outside where the refreshments wer
cached in order to find Buffalo.
"Say, Jim, I swan that don't seem the righ
way to dance," he said. "It don't loo
proper, hugging a girl that away."
"Huh! It don't, hey? You took to it smar
enough. You weren't hollering. Why, you
didn't know whether you was on the floo
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
80/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
81/694
cowboy. "I done told him so twice."
"Go on and dance," Moffatt ordered
"Here, you. Here's your guitar. Take to itAnd when a gen'l'man asks you to slow up
again, you slow up. Savez?"
Miss Hawes took his arm, with a soft
prideful sigh, and they moved off. It wa
glorious to be the center of all eyes, an
she was very proud of him just then. H
dominated the assembly with sucdisdainful unconcern. She had seen th
Tumbling K boy actually shrink. Realizin
quickly the need of smoothing out th
situation, Lafe created a diversionAdvancing to the center of the floor, h
shouted: "The next'll be a quadrille. Ge
your partners for a quadrille. H
everybody! Step to it."
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
82/694
Thus harmlessly did the incident pas
over. Lafe was famous at calling off
dance and soon Grace found hersel
wavering in her allegiance. It is true thaMoffatt was extremely handsome, but Laf
had a way. He might be too stooped and
ndolent for grace of movement, but
Johnson's voice came to her over thheads of the whirling crowd, and sh
forgot to reply to a question from he
partner.
"First lady to the right, the right hand gen
he right hand round. Partner by the left a
you come round. Lady in the center, al
hands round," he yelled, and there was swirl of skirts and lifting of dust t
stamping feet.
"Head lady and opposite gent forward an
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
83/694
back," he chanted again.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
84/694
Give right hand half way round;
Back with left, left hand round.
Promenade the corner as you
come around.
When the dance ended, it was th
conventional thing for a gentleman t
abandon the lady where they chanced tfind themselves at the moment and go o
about his business. Taking advantage o
his custom, Lafe descended upon Mis
Hawes and bore her off; nor did he oncgive her up until the stars paled in the sky
Then he asserted his right to take he
home.
On the way he fell silent. All his glibnes
of tongue deserted him abruptly, and
Grace was mightily pleased over th
symptom.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
85/694
"What's the matter, Mr. Lafe?" she asked
"Why don't you say a word?"
"I'm studying over something," saiJohnson.
After a moment he inquired, withou
ooking at her: "You done give me two
Paul Joneses, didn't you?"
"Sure I did. Why? Weren't they enough?"
"Yes. And four waltzes and four twosteps. Ain't that the tally?"
"You've got it right. But what's the matter
Mr. Lafe?"
"And you done let me have the Hom
Sweet Home waltz, too?"
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
86/694
"Look a-here, Mr. Lafe, what're yo
driving at?"
Johnson pondered darkly for a full minute"What'd you give that feller Steve?" h
said finally.
"You'd like to know, wouldn't you? Say
you've got your nerve." She tilted her chi
upwards and flashed a look at him.
"What did you let that feller have?" h
said again.
"I won't tell you: so there. Not near s
much as you got, Lafe Johnson. Now, ar
you satisfied?"
"Pretty near. Leastways, for a while."
She gave Lafe her hand at parting, and h
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
87/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
88/694
Jim had staked him. The cowboy too
counsel of friends. Buffalo Jim wa
disposed to hold Miss Hawes lightly.
"I ain't no prude," he explained. "You
boys know that right well. You-all know
me. I like a girl what's got ginger. But
don't figure on marrying a whole can of inor I don't calculate to see ol' Lafe get i
smeared over him that way, neither."
"Well, what're you aiming to do?"
"Leave it to me. I'll fix it," said Jim.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
89/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
90/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
91/694
yelps at the end of each line, like a coyot
n the full swing of his nightly paroxysm.
"I don't like that song," she said decidedly"Cut it out. It's fierce."
"I reckon it ain't true," Lafe admitte
amely, and tried another, a plaintive ditty
of Little Joe, the horse wrangler.
Hardly had he finished than Moffa
knocked and was admitted. Steve had on
new, yellow silk neckerchief, and Johnso
cursed his want of foresight in no
purchasing some finery. To-morrow tha
would be rectified: he recalled a gree
one he had seen in the store window.
The gunfighter let two six-shooters slip
from his waist when he entered
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
92/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
93/694
a gun," Steve said. He added critically
"You look stout enough."
"I'm feeling pretty tol'able fair, thanks."When Lafe got home that night, Jim wa
sitting up for him, thumping his heel
against the edge of the bed. He was s
much concerned for his friend that he di
not feel like sleep. After a tentative puff o
wo on a cigarette, and some coughing, h
got it out. Did Lafe know that GracHawesJohnson silenced him curtly, and
hey lay down, back to back. But Buffal
was undaunted by a sleepless night. Hi
was a staunch soul, and early next morninhe repaired to the Cowboys' Rest t
nterview Miss Hawes.
"You say he's been married before?
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
94/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
95/694
great many fam'lies, Miss Hawes. Just
few, scattered here and there."
"Get out!" said Miss Hawes. "Get out, andon't you never show your face round her
again. Married? Huh, you can't go to foo
me! You quit trying to crowd into my
affairs or it'll be the worse for you, MrBuf'lo."
"Certainly, ma'am. Certainly, Mis
Grace," Jim said, seizing his hat. "Excusme, ma'am, will you, please?"
He decided to say nothing of the visit t
Lafe.
When Johnson reached the Cowboys' Res
hat evening, Moffatt was alread
ensconced in the wicker rocking-chair
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
96/694
Lafe was momentarily cast down. A
conference had revealed that he an
Buffalo had no more money. They must go
n search of work without delay.
"Oh, Mr. Lafe," was Grace's greeting
"guess what! I've been asking Steve abou
shooting, and he done promised to keep can in the air for five shots to-morrow."
"That's good shooting," said Johnson
accepting a chair.
"Ain't it wonderful? I do love a man wh
can shoot. When I marry, I want a ma
who knows how to keep other men scared
used to tell my sister back in Abilene
she ain't like me. No, indeed. She's
society lady, my sister is. I done said to
her, 'Mary Lou, when'"
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
97/694
"Yes, it takes nerve to be a gunfighter,
Lafe interrupted.
"Oh, it's grand, I think." Miss Haweclasped her hands and rolled her eyes.
"Yes, sir; yes, ma'am, it sure takes nerve
A gunfighter always gives the other felle
an even break. And he don't care how
even it is, does he, Moffatt?"
"I don't take you," Moffatt said doubtfully
"Why, there's all kinds of nerve in thi
world, Miss Hawes," said Lafe. "When
man knows he's better at a thing than th
next man, he's liable to be awful nervyTake a bronc buster, now. He knows he
can clean a horse, and he ain't scared s
you could notice it. And a gunman. If th
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
98/694
other feller was a mite quicker, I wonde
f he'dWhat do you think?"
Said Moffatt: "I don't know what you'rdriving at."
"Well, look a-here. Supposing I was to pu
t up to a gunfighterto Mr. Moffatt here
say'Let's go into that back room wit
ust our bare hands and lock the door an
ay the key on the table.'"
"What for?" Miss Hawes aske
breathlessly.
"The best man to open itI wonder now
what a gunmanwhat Mr. Moffatt herewould say to that?"
"I ain't a fool," was what Moffatt had t
say to that.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
99/694
"Or," Lafe resumed, "what if I put it up
his way to some of them terrible fighters
What if I said, 'Let's put two guns on
able, draw off to opposite sides of throom, let another feller count three, an
he man who gets to 'em first, lives?'"
one of the three moved when Johnsohad finished. The alarm clock on th
flimsy, draped mantel-shelf ticked loudly
Miss Hawes's breathing sounded strained
"Ol' man Haverty wanted to see you dow
at the Fashion, Moffatt," Lafe said at last.
"You coming, too?"
"I reckon so."
"You're on," said Moffatt.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
100/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
101/694
CHAPTER VI
DISCOMFITURE OF A
GUNFIGHTER
Grace accompanied them to the door.
"Everybody'll know you're fighting abou
me," she whispered, twittering witexcitement. "Everybody is sure to know
he row is over me?"
"Yes. I'm afraid so," said Lafe, staring aher.
"Oh. All the girls will be wild."
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
102/694
There was not an instant's hesitation i
Haverty's acceptance of the mastership o
ceremonies. He took Moffatt's two guns
examined them thoroughly and removehe cartridges. The weapons were exactl
alike. Then he reloaded them an
stationed the men.
"Both your hosses is ready saddled," h
announced. "So one of you kin get over th
Border."
"That suits me," said Steve.
They were stationed in opposite corner
of the rear room in the Fashion, a tabl
placed accurately half-way between. O
he table were two six-shooters, the butt
outward. Johnson had the ball of one foo
braced against the wall.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
103/694
"All ready?" Haverty said crisply. "One
wothree!"
Johnson gained the middle of the room at bound, seizing his gun and overturning th
able with one movement. It crashe
against Moffatt's chest and his hand
failed to grasp the weapon. Lafe jammehe .45 close to his ribs and pulled twice.
"Help, boys!" Moffatt shrieked, sinking t
he floor. "Help! He's murdering me!"
He threw an arm upward, as though t
ward off the death he had meted out t
others. Johnson remained over him, th
smoking gun in his hand.
"Get up," he said. "Get up and run."
"I can't. You got me twice. I'm done for,
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
104/694
reckon."
"Pshaw!" said Haverty. "You ain't even
hit. Just scorched, Moffatt. Them wablank kattridges."
From the floor, the gunfighter gazed
stupidly at the two. He arose slowly an
dusted himself.
Outside in the crowded bar, nobod
ventured to gibe at him, for Moffatt wa
always a dangerous man, and mos
dangerous when beaten or humiliated. H
went quickly in search of his horse.
"You'd better go back to Grace," Johnsonsaid, following to see him safely out o
own.
"Not me. I'm overdue at the ranch already
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
105/694
She's yours. I wish you joy of her, Lafe."
He rode out of town at a purposely slow
dogtrot. Some time afterward he killed Mexican vaquero in a dispute over
bridle, and fled south.
Johnson was saddling next day, whe
Grace Hawes swept into the yard of th
stable and confronted him.
"What's this I hear?" she shrilled. "What'
he meaning of it, Lafe Johnson? Where'r
you going?"
"I've got to go to the ranch to-day, Grace."
"You mean you're through with me, Lafe
Johnson?"
"I wouldn't go to put it that way, Grace
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
106/694
Don't take on so."
"I willI will! I don't care who hears
You're a villainthat's what you are. Youpromised last nightyou said"
"A man had ought to be sociable with
adies," said Lafe, busy with the cinch.
"You done run off a man who was worth
wo of you any day, Lafe Johnson. And
hen you go to leave me. You leave me
here to be laughed at. You ... here, wait
Don't go, Lafe. Lafe, I didn't mean .
please, Lafe ... oh, please ..."
Johnson and Buffalo ambled side by sidalong a mesa covered with mesquite. Ji
had promise of a job from Floyd an
assured Johnson of one, also. Bot
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
107/694
planned to eschew the frivolities of cit
ife henceforth. Buffalo asked suddenly
"What made you draw off so sudden tha
way, Lafe?"
Johnson grinned at him.
"It's right queer, Jim," he said. "But whe
she saw us off to go to fighting, some wa
begun to think of my li'l' sister. You
knew my sister Kitty, back in Texas, didn'
you, Buf'lo? She's got yallow hair."
"I shore did," said Jim, in some confusion
"Well, I sort of begun to wonder what I'd
hink of Kitty if she served a man like thatt was all off then. If Kitty tried a gam
ike that, Buf'lo, I'd sure take to her righ
smart with a rope end."
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
108/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
109/694
CHAPTER VII
JOHNSON IS ELECTED
SHERIFF OF BADGER
For you or for me a certain embarrassmen
would attach to a return to work at a plac
we had sworn to avoid forever. Nothin
of the sort appeared to trouble Buffal
Jim. A month previous he had left the Lazy
L, scornful of cow work, vowing that h
would live like a gentleman all his daysow, penniless and unrepentant, he cam
back as a matter of course.
ndeed, Shortredge put his horses into th
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
110/694
corral at headquarters as a man might wh
had reached home from a long trip. And
here was not a vestige of surprise o
Floyd's face when he greeted Jim. He dit casually, and shook hands with Lafe and
said that he was glad to see him. Then h
gave Buffalo certain orders for th
morrow, touching the matter of salt for thcattle, just as though Jim had never bee
off the ranch. The cowboy merely said
"You stayed a week longer'n we figured
on, Buf'lo."
So Buffalo Jim went to work at daybrea
and Johnson loitered at headquarters. Mrs
Floyd was unaffectedly glad to see hiand was not too inquisitive as to why h
happened to be there. Indeed, sh
appeared to take his arrival as quit
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
111/694
natural, which spared Lafe muc
confusion. He played with Tommy most o
he time, and on the third day of his stay h
sounded Floyd on the subject of a job. Thboss had expected it, and surmising tha
Lafe was hard up, attempted to drive
hard bargain. A prudent man, such was hi
practice. It may be, too, that the boss dinot especially relish the notion of Johnso
being permanently on the place.
"Oh, no," said Lafe, "I couldn't take that."
He was never one to accept anythin
handed him merely because his situatio
ooked desperate. That policy ocompromise might befit the weak, bu
Johnson was made of sterner stuff. N
matter in what straits his mistakes lande
him, he forever kept his own valuation at
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
112/694
certain figure. And usually other me
accepted his estimate.
"That's the best I can do," Floyd ended"I've got a range boss already, and a top
hand ain't worth over fifty a month, Lafe."
"All right. I'll be drifting."
"Stick around a bit, anyhow. We migh
strike a trade later. Say, come up to the
house. The missus wants you to stay wit
us instead of down here at the bunkhouse.
"Thanks," said Lafe, "but your cook's bee
sick since that weddin'. No, I reckon I'
best hang round with the boys down here.
He remained at the Lazy L a week, hal
expecting that Horne would send
message to bespeak his services again. I
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
113/694
paying him off, the cowman had intimate
hat he would shortly have other deals t
be put through. A message arrived, but no
from the cattle buyer. The bearer came, hsaid, from Turner, the storekeeper and
ustice of the peace of Badger. Afte
istening for a moment, Lafe led hi
behind the barn for further converse.
"They want me to run for Sheriff o
Badger," he told Buffalo Jim that night.
"Go to it," said Jim. "It'll make the town
heap pleasanter for us. We'll feel safer
The boys'll sure be pleased."
t would appear that Johnson's bloodles
defeat of Moffatt had made a deep appea
o the citizens of Badger. They reasoned
hat a man who dared make a fool of
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
114/694
notorious character should be able t
make short work of lesser fry
Accordingly, their message was that th
aw-abiding residents of the town werdesirous of securing Mr. Johnson'
services; and would he come forthwith
To this Lafe answered that he would
return to Badger in a day or two, and thmessenger departed. And for two solid
days Johnson dawdled abou
headquarters, absolutely idle. He had a
dea that to show eagerness would be t
weaken his position. This surmise prove
correct.
Badger leaped at once to the conclusiohat they could not get him. Yes, he had
seemed reluctant, said the messenger
ow, the average man does not want
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
115/694
hing badly until he is persuaded he ca
obtain it only by strenuous effort. And
masses are like individuals, in thi
respect. That was why, as Lafapproached the town, he met a small part
of horsemen headed for the Lazy L. It wa
a deputation of citizens, set out to cajol
him into accepting the office. Briefly anearnestly they explained how things stoo
n Badger.
"All right," said Lafe, "I'll run. Buremember thiswhen I'm elected, you-al
ook alike to me. I won't play favorites
There'll be law and order in Badger."
"Sure," the committee agreed. "That's th
icket, Lafe. Well, let's have a li'l' touch
ust for luck."
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
116/694
Johnson's opponent in the election wa
simply nowhere. The tale of Lafe'
prowess grew with every telling. Ti
Haverty asserted on his hopes of heavehat Lafe could take a six-shooter an
drive the nails into the shoes of a runnin
horse. Personally, I suspect Mr. Haverty
o have been guilty of some slighexaggeration. Still, there was ampl
evidence that Johnson could handle a gun
and nobody on the Border doubted hi
courage. Led by Turner, the respectable
element voted for him as a unit. The other
the hard drinkers, and the gamblers, an
men of no steady means of supportranged with Lafe, too. They had know
him as a "good fellow," a man liberal wit
his money and equally liberal in hi
views. Therefore they anticipated n
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
117/694
rouble to themselves from his election.
n this manner was Lafe Johnson electe
sheriff of Badger. When made acquaintedwith the result, he took a long breath an
grew very solemn.
"Gentlemen," he said, "I thank you fo
your support. And I'll sure do my duty."
The opportunity was afforded him tha
same night. Some of them who ha
worked most ardently for Lafe wer
gathered in the Cowboys' Rest, and ther
was considerable drinking. A dispute
arose, and in the course of it the landlor
aid out one of the disputants with a chair
A panicky person fired a gun. That brough
Lafe into the Rest at a quick run.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
118/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
119/694
on, now. Get moving."
The landlord gaped a moment and the
announced that he hoped to be damned ihe went. If Lafe thought he could double
cross him in that manner, he had a few
hings to learn. The sheriff made a step
forward and the landlord reached undehe bar for his .45. Before he could rais
t, Johnson gripped his wrist and with hi
free hand struck him over the head wit
he butt of Tommy's gun. The landlordgave a grunt and dropped into the sheriff'
arms like a sack of meal. Five minute
ater he went before the justice of th
peace very quietly, along with Tommy.
"Understand me"the new sheriff face
he crowd that followed, some of the
murmuring"I'd arrest my best friend i
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
120/694
he broke the law. Remember that."
"Hell, Lafe," they protested, "this i
running it over us.""We're going to have order here in
Badger. Come on, you two," said Johnson
Then he went bail for his prisoners.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
121/694
CHAPTER VIII
A FEUD AND WHAT CAME
OF IT
They had hanged a man in the Willows
He was swinging from a lower limb of
ree sixteen feet in diameterthe native
call it the Mother of Cottonwoods. Th
sheriff of Badger and I cut him down, an
because the time was summer and the flie
were bad, we buried him with all haste ihe sand, beside a chiming stream. Then
hat no prowler might despoil, we pile
rocks above, and got to horse withou
delay.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
122/694
"He don't look like nothing now," said
Lafe, "but it's Tom Rooker. You remembe
ol' Rooker? He always bummed hi
drinks, Tom did."
We rode through a pleasant grove, where
t was eternally twilight by day. A squirre
chattered above us and the streawhispered here in a sandy bed. At a bend
we came upon three cows wading belly
deep in the current and eating o
watercress. Some birds cheeped in a leafhicket beside the trail. The Willows wa
a paradise. Then a black shadow flitted i
front, as we emerged into a glade wher
he light was stronger, and a blearbuzzard settled leisurely on the topmos
branch of a tree. He gazed at us with cal
nsolence. I looked hastily away
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
123/694
remembering what we had laid out.
After a while, the sheriff said: "I shouldn
have left town, Dan. I shouldn't havgone."
"You had to go."
"They wouldn't have got away with it, i'd been home. Poor ol' Tomhe wa
awful good-natured when he was sober."
We left the Willows behind and traversedopen country, heading up the San Pedro
Valley. As we went, the sheriff talked o
he hanging. He spoke in a hushed tone, a
hough there were ears to hear; or, it mabe, he could not get the dead man out o
his thoughts.
"This is some of Bud Walton's work," he
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
124/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
125/694
how I am situated. And they've been awfu
careful, them two have."
He fell to communing with himself, anwe went steadily forward, the ponie
shuffling the dust in a dejected chop-trot
t was almost noon, and the heat wave
were lifting from the ground like thsmoke of an oil flame. We passed a dead
ree, and the sheriff roused from reverie.
"They done hung Dave Pearsall from thersix years back," he said, with a jerk of hi
head.
glanced around for the grave, it being th
custom to inter close to the scene of th
aking-off.
"It's over beyond. No, you can't see it
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
126/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
127/694
Presently he began to speak of the feu
which had been the bane of his offic
during four of the six months of his tenure
When I proffered the suggestion, in a spiriof hope, that there must have been
beautiful fight before the Walton faction
secured Rooker, he dismissed tha
possibility with an impatient snort. It waike that Jeff Thomas had been away, h
said; probably south of the Border, o
some meanness or other. As for Tom, he
had not mixed much in the trouble in town
Perhaps they had picked on him becaus
he was Jeff's closest friend.
"We'll know right soon now. Gee, ain't theheat a fright? Say, Dan, if you take m
advice, you'll hit the grit out of Badge
ust as hard as you can make it."
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
128/694
resolutely declined to hit the grit a
proposed. Soon we came in sight of th
own. It showed uncertainly on the horizo
ike a lake of mist, with a few waverinwindmills swaying therein; it might hav
been an impressionistic painting of
Dutch canal. A mile from the first house
he sheriff pulled up and bade me remaiwhere I was, whilst he entered Badger
His instructions were that I should hol
back for ten minutes precisely, the
proceed casually into town, leaving m
horse at the cattle company's corral, an
meet him at dinner in the Fashion.
"No, you can't come with me," he said"So let that soak into your hide. It's lik
some fool will start something and I don
want you on my mind. You'd only be in the
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
129/694
way."
This was not flattering, but every man t
his business. The sheriff madpreparations for his by looking carefull
o his six-shooter. Then he nodded and
rode ahead into Badger. Ten minutes and
en seconds later, I followed.
Badger suggests in its exterior a woman o
he street, made up carefully as to the fac
and run-down at the heel. To left and toright as you enter from the west, are th
Fashion and the Cowboys' Rest, both o
frame, and pretentious structures for tha
region. Then there is the Wells-Fargoexpress office, with a tin roof whic
catches all the heat of the ages and sends i
sizzling over Badger. There are a genera
store and a butcher shop; two Eatin
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
130/694
Houses, one at the Fashion, the othe
conducted by a Chinaman; and a broke
ine of one-story, two-roomed dwelling
of rough boards. Beyond that again, a fewadobe huts straggle for a full half-mile
They are the abodes of natives. The cattl
company's corral is at the extreme edge o
own, and there is a stable attached. Frohere one can see the habitation of Dutc
Annie and her handmaidens. Usually th
inkle of a piano greets the wayfarer, and
sometimes bursts of laughter which hav
no tinkle in them, nor any musical qualit
whatever.
The sheriff's horse slouched in front of thFashion as I proceeded down the street
ot a human being moved in sight. Th
express agent waved a friendly hand at m
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
131/694
from the interior of his darkened office
and bestowed a sardonic grin. Then h
made a fanciful gesture, as of drawing
oop around his neck. Next, he wafighting violently for breath, and he wa
still engaged in this agreeable pantomim
when I passed beyond his ken. A mongre
collie, stretched in the hot dust, retreatesluggishly to give me right of way, and
sitting on his rump, began to scratch fo
fleas.
"Say, Dan, hell's a-poppin'," said Tim
Haverty cheerfully.
Mr. Haverty takes care of the company'corral and counts that day lost when n
fracas promises. He told me all about i
now, with a most unholy glee, although h
s an old, old man, who ought to be givin
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
132/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
133/694
order to preserve peaceto wit,
division of the city of Badger. All north o
he street was to be Thomas' huntin
ground; the section to the south was free tBud to wander in at his pleasure. Bot
men had been prevailed upon to accep
his arbitrationThomas, with a show o
reluctance, but real willingness; the othergrudgingly, after persuasion.
"If you ast me," said Old Man Havert
udicially, "if you ast me, Dan, I'd say Budhas got it on Thomas in some ways. Yes
sir; Jeff, he's scared of that feller, excep
when he's good and mad."
Such apportionment of a town has no
been uncommon in the southwest in time
past. I know of two communities similarl
divided, at present writing. The armistic
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
134/694
makes for temporary peace, but has
decided tendency to be irksome to citizen
who would be nonpartisan, and it usuall
ends by a casual trespass, or one of intentprompted by bravado or rye. After whic
he deceased gentleman's record i
horoughly threshed out and it is agreed o
all sides that he was a pretty good fellow"but"
The sheriff and I sat later at a table in th
Fashion, toying with a pile of dominoesAnd we discussed these things. It i
etiquette for a visitor, on entering the city
o hand over his gun to the bartender of th
first place of call. This signifies that hidesigns are peaceful, and perhaps hones
and it also keeps him out of a heap o
mischief. Besides, if he does not do that
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
135/694
he sheriff is apt to seek him out and tak
he weapon, anyway. Therefore, th
gentleman who was swabbing the bar wit
a damp towel had possession of my .4Colt.
ight fell. Daniel Boonefat and fifty
who claimed descent from the greapioneerwas at a table in a corner b
himself, practicing sleight-of-hand with
pack of cards, faro being his profession. I
uck favored Daniel, some plump lamwould be delivered to his fleecing befor
another dawn broke.
Jeff Thomas came in, walked to the baand ordered a drink. The Fashion being o
his domain, this occasioned no surprise
Then he espied the sheriff and clanke
across to our table.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
136/694
"Hello, Johnson. Say, Walton's been
making threats against my life," he said.
"Huh-huh?" said the sheriff carelessly"Seems to me, Jeff, him and you both'v
been doing a pile of talking."
"But he done told some fellers he'd get m
nside forty-eight hours."
"I reckon you'd better keep out of his way
hen, Jeff."
"But look here, Johnsonoh, pshaw, let'
alk sense. He's made threats, I tell you.
done got a permit from the justice of th
peace to pack a gun. Turner, he give it tome for my own protection."
"Well?"
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
137/694
"Well? WELL? What're you going to do
about it? That's what I want to know
You're sheriff, ain't you?"
My friend lighted a cigarette from the stub
of another. Afterwards he studied the nail
of his fingers with elaborate interest. A
protracted pause, and he addressed casual remark to me as though Thoma
were not present.
"Cut that, Johnson. I'm a-talking to youWhat're you going to do about it?"
On this, the sheriff whirled sharply in hi
chair. He clipped his words, so that each
seemed to snap.
"I'll show you what I'll do. You two
yellow pups start something, and I'll show
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
138/694
you what I'll do."
Daniel Boone folded his cards and stol
softly out of the room. I looked furtivelfor a sheltering nook. Only the shiny top o
he bartender's bald head was now visibl
above a beer keg. But either Thomas di
not want a row, or he could not affordone.
"Well," he said finally, with an uncertain
augh, "that's different again, ain't itThere's no use getting all swelled up abou
his thing, Lafe. Let's have a snort."
When the ceremony had been fitl
observed, Thomas seated himself at th
hird table in the saloon, in no very goo
humor, and removed his hat. Shortl
Daniel Boone returned, padding in like
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
139/694
wary cat, and resumed his interrupte
studies of faro and its uses. We settled
once more to our talk and piled th
dominoes in unreckoned combinations.
The main door opens directly from th
saloon on to the street. At the far end o
he bar is another door, which leads into dining-room that is run as an annex to th
Fashion. Jeff occupied the table neares
he bar, sitting sideways to it so as to fac
he entrance. Back of him was a doorlesexit, which gave on to a dark passage
This led somewhere into the outer back
regions and was in frequent demand whe
a patron found himself overcome by thfumes of rejoicing and desired air, withou
publicity.
n the corner remote from the street Mr
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
140/694
Boone was established, his leg
embracing the legs of a chair, and h
placidly dealt cards to an imaginar
player. The sheriff and I were in the lefforeground, close enough to the window t
see through it, had a curtain not bee
discreetly drawn to the height of a grow
man's head.
Tilly entered from the dining-room
patting her hair with both hands, an
arried for an instant at the bar, talking tohe man behind it. She waited on table i
he Fashion annex, and was not withou
charm, both of person and mind. Indeed
her repartee would set a room to laughingbeing forceful as a clout on the head
which may have been why she was sough
after by sundry residents of those parts fo
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
141/694
wife. Whence she came or why, nobody
knew. Badger held her for an honest girl
n spite of what Tilly's unchampioned
contact with the world had done to rub ofhe first blush. Leaving the bartende
choking with delight, Tilly sauntered ove
o Jeff's table, where she pretended t
examine the snake-skin band of his hatWe saw her speak to him, but could no
catch the words. He glanced up alertly an
gave an emphatic nod.
"Well, well," murmured the sheriff, and
smiled. When she had gone back to th
dining-roompausing to exchange a las
cheerful sally with her friend of the bottlethe sheriff said: "Dan, there's a might
fine girl. Or I reckon I ought to sa
woman.' If she'd only got a different star
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
142/694
"
"What about it?"
"You can see for yourself. She's gettingougher in her talk every day. If Tilly don
hitch up soonwhy, look at the way thes
fellers are running after her"
"But," I said, for I had faith in Tilly
"they're all crazy about her. Don't you fret
That girl's the gamest girl I ever saw
Lafe. She can take care of herself. Sur
hey run after her. They all want to marry
her."
"Some of 'em doyesbut" he brokoff and considered for a moment. "Did
ever tell you how Bud Walton run it ove
hat big Slim Terry? He done run him ou
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
143/694
of town. Slim was awful stuck on Tilly
oo."
"What did Tilly do?""What could she do? She wouldn't believ
t first when Bud told her. Then she swor
most dreadful. She slapped Bud's face, to
a little later, this was."
A boy shoved his head inside the saloo
and peered all about. It was Turner'
youngest son, an urchin of about twelv
years.
"Say, Mr. Johnson," he piped, "Sam want
you over to the express office right awayHe says he cain't leave, so for you t
come."
"All right, Tommy, boy. You run home
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
144/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
145/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
146/694
CHAPTER IX
AN INQUEST AND A
SURPRISE
was looking toward Thomas at th
moment. His face blanched, but his han
sped to his breast, where a gun wa
secreted in a holster sewed to the insid
of his shirt bosom. Before he could draw
Walton pulled on him once. This much
saw and then dived under the table. Thercame another shot. Bud stood a second o
wo, with a sort of wondering, puzzle
ook in his eyes. He swayed and san
gently to the floor, almost within touch o
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
147/694
his enemy.
Jeff lurched to his feet and leaned over th
fallen man. He fired twice in quicsuccession, but his hand shook so that th
bullets tore splinters in the boarding a
either side of Walton. Then he desisted
and stood waiting, the six-shooter hanginimply from his fingers.
"There," he said, as the sheriff ran in
"You see, I've done it. I've killed thebastard."
The sheriff knelt beside Bud and turne
him over. Walton was shot through the
forehead and must have been dead befor
he hit the floor.
"Hem," said the sheriff. He got up an
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
148/694
requested the surrender of Jeff's gun
which was given up without question
Johnson inspected it with care.
"You fired three, hey, Jeff?"
"Three," answered the other, his gaz
fixed on the body.
The sheriff was scrutinizing the six
shooter and its empty chambers. H
scratched his head. Thomas turned to th
bar. His nostrils were straining and ther
was an unnatural distension of the eye
balls.
"Gimme a drink," he said.
Daniel Boone emerged from the corne
where he had thrown himself flat, and th
Fashion filled with men. They grouped i
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
149/694
a semi-circle about the corpse an
regarded it soberly.
"You're under arrest, Jeff," said thesheriff.
"Sure."
"Gentlemen, I'll have to ask you-all teave. Clear the bar, gentlemen, please
The inquest'll be to-morrow morning ove
n Bob Turner's place. Step lively
gentlemen. I've got a pile of things to do."
was shoved from the saloon with th
others and went only too willingly
Shortly afterwards three men bore thremains of Walton out of the Fashion and
aid them in an empty room abov
Turner's store. The proprietor was justic
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
150/694
of the peace and would sit as coroner.
Badger filled the court-room on th
morrow. The crowd overflowed into thstreet, and there was much jostling an
frantic efforts at peering over the heads o
neighbors; also, requests to witnesses t
speak louder, that all might hear. Followa rough transcript of the evidenc
presented.
Bartender.It was ten o'clock. There wanobody in the bar except Dan Booneh
was playing solitaire in the far corner
and Jeff Thomas, and a fat party unknow
o him. The fat party had come in with thsheriff and sat over against the window
Jeff was alone and was monkeying wit
his fingers on the tablesort of playin
unes. He, the bartender, was reading
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
151/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
152/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
153/694
Jeff Thomas.He was waiting in th
Fashion for one of the Lazy L boys to
come along. They had a horse trade on
Bud Walton appeared at the door. Hepulled a gun on him. Bud got the first sho
nhe was positive of that. He fired onc
and Walton went down. Not being certain
Bud was really done for, he pulled couple of times more, but thought he ha
missed.
Yes, they had long been enemies. Waltonwas always abusing him behind his back
He had made threats. Some of his friend
had strung up Tom Rooker, too. Tom
wouldn't never harm a fly in his life. Onlhe day before, Bud had told some me
Jeff knew, that he would get Thoma
within forty-eight hours. So witness ha
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
154/694
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
155/694
swayed toward it eagerly.
"Why, that's mine," the coroner said.
t was, in truth, one that Bob had carrieoff as a Sunday School prize, when a boy
n Ohio. It was so stiff that the cove
cracked when it was opened; but th
eather binding was ripped and torn, an
he leaves were plowed into pulp fo
hree-fourths of its thickness. At this poin
he sheriff explained that the bullet habeen deflected into the solid wood of th
able. He had dug it out.
Coroner."Where did you get this her
book?"
The gunfighter looked rather sheepish.
"I'm sort of superstitious," he confessed
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
156/694
"and when I seen that in your office th
other day, Bob, I stuck it inside my shirt."
A murmur swept over the court-room andbeat against the walls.
Coroner."You've killed six men, ain'
you?"
"No, sir; you're wrong. Only four,
Thomas corrected, licking his dry lips.
"Gen'l'men," said the coroner, not withousternness toward Thomas, "this hits m
ike so plain a case of shooting in self
defense, that I reckon we don't need t
bother no more about the evidence."
"Hold on," the sheriff said. "Hold on
here; I'd like for to say something."
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
157/694
Being duly sworn, he started off like this
"Gentlemen, this wasn't a killing. It was
murder."
Everybody waited open-mouthed to hea
more. Thomas turned on him a quick
startled glance. Then someone said
"What's the matter with you, Lafe?"
"It's just what I done said. Murder."
There was a stir, and a ripple o
unbelieving laughter. "Order!" the corone
cried. He was looking to Johnson fo
explanation.
"I was kind of wondering," the prisonemuttered, half aloud, as though no
altogether surprised at the turn of events.
"Yes, sir, Bud Walton was murdered. Thi
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
158/694
man here didn't kill him at all. Here'
Jeff's gun. Take a look at it. It's a .45. Bud
he was killed with a 30-30 rifle. Here'
he bullet. Jeff's first shot went way abovhis head into the ceiling, and the next tw
are in the boards."
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
159/694
CHAPTER X
A JOURNEY TO SATAN'S
KINGDOM
"What're you giving us?" "Go on, Lafe.
"Hush, let's hear him." "Quit crowdin
here, will you?" "Say, are you looking fo
rouble?" "Well, quit it." It was long
before quiet could be obtained.
The sheriff waited for absolute silenc
before taking up the thread of hi
explanation again. Then he said, slowl
scanning the faces around him"Mr
Coroner, if you'll adjourn this here cour
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
160/694
for two days, I'll bring the murderer here.
The inquest adjourned in confusion
Thomas was released, only to brearrested.
"I'll learn fellers like you a lesson," th
sheriff told him. "Bob, give him thirt
days for stealing that there Bible o
yours."
The justice of the peace imposed th
sentence with alacrity. It had th
appearance of spite, but Jeff exhibited n
resentment and left for the county town i
charge of a deputy, without a word o
protest. To me, he appeared a broken man
ot a word of enlightenment would th
sheriff give, although all Badger was ago
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
161/694
with excitement and babbled question
wherever he moved. They would cling t
his arm in their eagerness, but he shoo
hem off. At dinner, he ordered me to fetchmy horse, for he planned a hard ride.
t was early afternoon when we set out fo
Satan's Kingdom. Our way took us throughe Willows, which we threaded at dusk
We were passing a certain pile of rocks
when the sheriff pointed with hi
forefinger.
"Look," he said.
The Mother of Cottonwoods towere
above the lesser trees, plain to the sigh
She was black and stark, bare as thoug
blasted by lightning. We jogged along
mutely.
8/12/2019 Pattullo George - The Sheriff of Badger
162/694
"Look a-here," the sheriff said, as w
neared the mountain village, "you don
heard that shooting. What did you hear
Tell me as near as you can."
strove to focus all my faculties on th
ask.
"There was a first shotthat must hav
been Bud's."
"Never mind whose it was," said Johnson
"Then there seemed to be two very clos
ogether. I'm not sure about that, Lafe
because it might have been one, sort o
drawn out. But I w