tion>Charles Alden Seltzer
The Coming of the Law
Published by Good Press, 2021
EAN 4057664596468
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I THE ARRIVAL OF THE MAN
CHAPTER III NORTON MAKES A DISCOVERY
CHAPTER V THE GIRL OF DRY BOTTOM
CHAPTER VI HOLLIS RENEWS AN ACQUAINTANCE
CHAPTER VII THE “KICKER” BECOMES AN INSTITUTION
CHAPTER VIII CONCERNING THE “SIX-O’CLOCK”
CHAPTER IX HOW A BAD MAN LEFT THE “KICKER” OFFICE
CHAPTER XI PICKING UP THE TRAIL
CHAPTER XIII “WOMAN–SHE DON’T NEED NO TOOTER”
CHAPTER XVI THE BEARER OF GOOD NEWS
CHAPTER XIX HOW A RUSTLER ESCAPED
CHAPTER XX THE “KICKER’S” CANDIDATE
CHAPTER XXI DUNLAVEY PLAYS A CARD
CHAPTER XXII PROOF OF GRATITUDE
CHAPTER XXIII TEN SPOT USES HIS EYES
CHAPTER XXVI AUTUMN AND THE GODS
CHAPTER XXVII THE SEAR AND YELLOW DAYS
CHAPTER XXVIII IN DEFIANCE OF THE LAW
CHAPTER XXIX THE ARM OF THE LAW
CHAPTER XXX FORMING A FRIENDSHIP
CHAPTER I
THE ARRIVAL OF THE MAN
If the passengers on the west-bound train that pulled up at the little red wooden station at Dry Bottom at the close of a June day in 18–, were interested in the young man bearing the two suit cases, they gave no evidence of it. True, they noted his departure; with casual glances they watched him as he stepped down upon the platform; but immediately they forgot his athletic figure and his regular featured, serious face as their thoughts returned to the heat, the dust, and the monotony of travel.
There was the usual bustle and activity which always follows the arrival of a train. A mail bag was dumped out of the mail car, another thrown in; some express packages were unceremoniously deposited near the door of the station by the agent; the conductor ran to the telegrapher’s window to receive an order; ran back, signaling as he ran; the engine bell clanged, the drivers clanked, the wheels ground, the passengers sighed, and the train departed on its way.
The young man who had alighted stood motionless for a moment, listening to the clatter of the wheels over the rail-joints, watching the smoke from the engine-stack befoul the clear blue of the sky. Then he smiled grimly, threw a rapid glance toward a group of loungers standing at a corner of the station, and walked over to where the station agent stood examining some newly arrived packages.
“Do you mind directing me to the courthouse?” said the young man.
The agent looked up, turned, and ran a measuring, speculative eye over the new arrival. He noted the Eastern cut of the young man’s clothing and beneath the dust of travel the clear, healthy white skin of his face. “Stranger here?” observed the agent, with a slight, humorous narrowing of the eyes.
“Yes.”
“No,
