Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 4 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

522 public office by Turner to do Turner’s bidding, just as he wants to put in Warren and Spigot—and Turner wants to own that plant himself! : ‘‘ Another thing that Turner wants to do now is to try to run this young stranger - out of town. Well, he’s not going to do it. That’s the kind of a man we need in this town—the kind who isn’t afrafd to walk up to this idol of yours and tell him where he gets off. He wants him run out of town because he’s afraid ef him. I just\ looked at the Palace register, and I found out the stranger’s name. It’s Boom—B. B. Boom. You know what that stands for, don’t you? Bing, Beng, Boom! He came in with a bing and a bang, and, despite Tumer and his crooked gang, Selma is now going to beom! (Laughter.) “You better go home now, folks. Din- ner’s ready, and you’ve had enough excite- — ment for one morning.” The crowd slowly dispersed, amid much laughter and conversation. Some hurried away to their homes, for the sun was at the meridian, some reentered the shops, some gathered in argumentative groups to discuss the unusual meeting they had just attended. Bert climbed quickly from the machine in which he was so unwelcome a guest, and, uncomfortably aware of the specu- lative eyes that were directed toward him, hurried to the refuge of the hotel veranda. - As he was about to enter the building. he felt a hand Jaid on his arm and, turning, saw the young man who had so generously and so ably come to his defense a few mo- ments before. “ My name is Fred Patterson,” he said, extending his hand to Bert, ‘‘ I’m the owner, editor, reporter and printer of Selma’s only daily—-The Punch. I see that you and I have a common cause, and I hope we can work together.” ‘‘ Thank you,” Bert replied, gripping the proffered hand. ‘I don’t have to tell you that I’m grateful to you for speaking for me in my defense. It was an embarrassing situation for me.” ~ ““ Getting opponents into embarrassing situations is Turner’s long suit. If you’re - intending to fight Turner here, I’d advise ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, you to go ovff to the swamps some day and practice fightng snakes. You want to be on your guard every_minute that you’re in Selma, because there’s nothing underhanded that Turner wouldn't do. We don’t carry guns in this town, the way they used to do ’way out west; but Turner always has a few new tricks up his sleeve that are just as effective.” ‘What do you mean?” Bert asked "quickly. Patterson shrugged. ‘“ That’s it. You never know till they happen. That’s why they’re effective. Well, I’ve got to be get- ting this evening’s paper on the presses. Drop in any see me any time, Boom. You can always count on me.” When Bert entered his room, he’ fpund the station-master awaiting him with his trunk. He was reclining in a chair drawn up before the window, his feet crossed on the sill, puffing away contentedly at a long, black cigar. “Hello,” greeted -Bert. kept your promise.” The man rose slowly and nodded. “I allus keep a promise and a threat.” “ Let’s see,” said Bert, wondering why the man had not departed. “I paid you for it, didn’t I?” | “You know you did,” returned the sta- tion-master. ‘Why not come right out and ask me what I waited here fer?” “ Why—why, did you wish to see me about something?”’ “That’s better. The man who beats around the bush is liable to git his hand scratched on the brambles. Truth is, I come up here durin’ the rumpus outside, “T see you've - an’ thought I’d stay to see it all in a reserved seat. The fight was all yours durin’ the first few rounds; but Tumer walked away with the decision toward the end, I reckon. Suppose you know you made considerable enemies this mornin’?” ‘“‘T’m afraid so,” Bert responded coolly. ‘“‘ After you’ve made enemies, it’s a bad time to be gittin’ afraid. Best way to beat out Turner now is f make a success out of that there Majestic, eh?” “If it’s not impossible,” Bert replied shortly, irritated by the man’s persistent questions. 4 Original froma ! Z