Adventure, January 20, 1922 — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

Powder Law seemed to intensify the white strip of hair. “Can yuh make a sheriff without an election?” he asked. “By appointment,” nodded the judge, “We have with us the commissioners of this county, who may, in the event of no incumbent, appoint a sheriff to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.” ‘““A sheriff wouldn’t have a chance in the world,” objected a_ grizzled cowman. “That’s why nobody wants the job.” “T wish you'd appoint Frenchy Ditteau for sheriff,” said Blaze. ‘‘Frenchy’d make a danged good sheriff.” “Ba gosh, I’m vote for Blaze Carlin,” declared Frenchy. “I’m “Why not you?” ied tee the judge. Blaze shook his head. “Judge, you need brains in that office. Frenchy has more sabe than I have. If you can make him sheriff, I'll be his deputy.” “Tt wouldn’t be quite legal,” stated the judge. ‘Neither of you are voters here.” “Tust came into the State,” admitted Blaze. Another of the group got to his feet. “Tudge, I says to ——— with legality! We're considerin’ right and wrong—not law. I dunno how these two men aims to be of a bit of use to us as a sheriff and deputy, but I’m willin’ to help appoint 2em.” “Have you any ideas of what you are con- fronting?’ asked the judge. Blaze laughed. “lve been a gambler most of my life, judge. I ain’t never cared much for law and order until I helped cut down an old man who had been hung. He was a crip- ple in one knee and his old hands was twisted from disease. He couldn’t neither run nor shoot. I don’t reckon I’d ever feel good if I didn’t do somethin’ to pay back the men who done that.” “Te devil do dat job, ”” added AS “T’m not ’fraid from any men w’at hang ol’ men. Bimeby I’m be ol’ man, I’m tink, an’ I’m no lak’ to stand on wind and look up de rope, ba gosh!” “Hirin’ Frenchy for sheriff likely won’t _ be legal,” stated Blaze, “‘but neither is hangin’ legal, when yuh do it promiscuous- like. It ain’t because we want to be sheriff, gents. Me and Frenchy are just two ordi- nary men and we ain’t able to do no more than any two ordinary men, but bein’ 157 sheriff and deputy kinda gives us somethin’ to work on. We only asks one favor of yuh, and that is to let us handle it in our own way. Yuh can never do anythin’ by arguin’ with ’em, gents. If we takes this job there won’t be no questions asked nor answered.” The judge turned to the group. “Men, I will write out the appointment at once, if you all agree. I think it will bea good night’s work for the country.” ‘“‘She be bad luck for some-bodee,”’ grinned Frenchy enthusiastically. ‘Frenchy Ditteau, sheriff, eh? I’m get scare of my- self, Blaze. Ho, ho, ho! Wolf Butte get _*fraid for scare, when she’s see de sheriff. Bimeby I’m hire de cow-punch to ride herd on de outlaw, biccause I’m t’ink de jail too small. Ho, ho, ho!’ The men grouped around the table, while Judge Whalen penciled the appointment and had it signed. He handed it to Frenchy. “This is your authority, Mr. Ditteau.”’ “Meester Ditteau.” Frenchy repeated the title as he-grinned down at the docu- ment, which he could not read, and then put it in his pocket. “Ba gosh, Frenchy Ditteau got regular job now. I’m tink de wolf and grizzly move in close, biccause dere be plenty feed bimeby. Ho, ho, ho!” “Please do not underrate Black Mora,” said the judge seriously. “Bully he may be, but I do not think he is a coward. He ~ has a heart as black as his face and he wields a dangerous power. I know you do not fear him, but I ask you to respect his ability.” “Anybody else need watchin’?” asked Blaze. “Everybody.” The judge’s gesture even encompassed present company. “Wolf Butte has become the hangout of every out~ law from Wyoming to Canada. This rail- road will bring in the scum of the earth and Wolf Butte will be their headquarters. Un- less conditions change, this town will be a red hell and we’ll pay for the pitch.” * “Ba gosh, I’m lak’ dis town,” grinned Frenchy. “I’m tink [I’m stay here and grow up wit’ her.” Blaze and Frenchy shook hands with the men, the lamp was extinguished and they all filed outside. The moon was hidden by clouds. “We want to wish you the best of luck,” said the judge softly. COmiclboooks (C@