e poor, and pays her debts like a man, and it's no call
o' mine to pass judgment on her."

The marshal's office was an old log shanty, one of the first to be built
on the trail, and passing through the big front room in which two or
three men were lounging, the marshal led his guests to his inner office
and sleeping room. A fire was blazing in a big stone fireplace. Skins
and dingy blankets were scattered about, and on the mantle stood a
bottle and some dirty glasses.

"Sit down, gentlemen," said the marshal, "and have some liquor."

After they were served and cigars lighted, the marshal began:

"Mose, I want you to serve as my deputy."

Mose was taken by surprise and did not speak for a few moments. The
marshal went on:

"I don't know that you're after a job, but I'm sure I need you. There's
no use hemming and hawing--I've made a cussed fool of myself this
evenin', and the boys are just about going to drink up my salary for me
this coming week. I can't afford _not_ to have you my deputy because you
unlimbered your gun a grain of a second before me--beat me at my own
trick. I need you--now what do you say?"

Mose took time to reply. "I sure need a job for the winter," he
admitted, "but I don't believe I want to do this."

The marshal urged him to accept. "I'll call in the newspaper men and let
them tell the whole story of your life, and of our little jamboree
to-day--they'll fix up a yarn that'll paralyze the hold-up gang.
Together we'll swoop down on the town. I've been planning a clean-out
for some weeks, and I need you to help me turn 'em loose."

Mose arose. "I guess not; I'm trying to keep clear of gun-play these
days. I've never hunted that kind of thing, and I won't start in on a
game that's sure to give me trouble."

The marshal argued. "Set down; listen; that's the point exactly. The
minute the boys know who you are we won't _need_ to shoot. That's the
reason I want you--the reporters will prepare the way. Wherever we go
the 'bad men' will scatter."

But Mose was inexorable. "No, I can't do it. I took just such a job
once--I don't want another."

Haney was deeply disappointed, but shook hands pleasantly. "Well,
good-night; drop in any time."

Mose went out into the street once more. He was hungry, and so turned in
at the principal hotel in the city for a "good square meal." An Italian
playing the violin and his boy accompanying him on the harp, made up a
little orchestra. Some palms in pots, six