A Case of Mistaken Identity

Considering the stories I’ve heard of the past - ‘bout the often wild ways of the west - The best I remember’s the one where a mob laid an innocent feller to rest. Into the town rode a gunman from Kansas, renowned for his speed and his aim. The youngster was sporting a pearl handled pistol, and bore him the Willoughby name. ‘Twas said that he’d murdered a Dodge City marshal, then laughed as the deputy ran, And though many had tried, not a man had been able to match his unbeatable hand. He strode to the bar in the busy “Gold Nugget,” and let ‘em all know who he was. “My name is Willoughby. Get in my way……an’ I’ll kill the first person that does.” “You’ve got a twin,” said a friendly young barmaid - as up to the killer she came. “His name is Willoughby, too, “she proclaimed. “The two of ya’ look just the same.” The angry young cowboy growled…“ I don’t take kindly to nobody lookin’ like me! Looks like this fella an’ me need to meet…an’ this is how it’s gonna be… You’re gonna tell where this ‘twin o’ mine’ lives…an’ tomorrow --- he’s gonna be dead!” “He lives in a shack ‘bout a mile north o’ town,” the barmaid reluctantly said, Then ran to the marshal, with tears in her eyes - the waitress confessed her mistake. The marshal responded, “That guy’s an ex-con…no tellin’ what trouble he’ll make. Right after sunup I’ll ride with the reveren’, expectin’ that one ‘ll be dead. From what ya’ just told me there’s no doubt at all about where that feller ‘ll head.” The marshal and reverend departed at dawn, as the killer -- they figured -- got back. He come strollin’ in to the tavern not carin’ what they thought had occurred at the shack. The crowd in the bar ’d turned into a mob by the time that the marshal returned - And when he walked in he began to explain what he and the reverend had learned, And yelled at the feller “You’re under arrest……the days of your killin’ are done!” And the mob started chantin’,“Let’s hang ‘im, right now”…as he went to surrender his gun. But somebody thought he was “makin’ a play”… and he ended up shot ‘n the back! And it was too late… before someone noticed… the grips on his pistol… were black! PS: I've now got 4 new Audio-CDs - @ 4 1/2 hours each = (62 diversely varied pieces). They’re listed on EBAY - under - “Mark Stellinga Poetry” - or available by simply contacting me at -- mark@writerofbooks.com -- should those of you who enjoy listening to poems as well as reading them - and particularly those of you that travel - care to be so entertained. (We use safe and simple - PayPal) There are a bunch of my pieces on YouTube as well --- Cheers, Mark