Show-Down In Dodge City

It was high noon in Dodge City, Kansas on that hot and sultry day. The sheriff was makin' his leisurely rounds on Old Dan, his faithful bay. Rowdy cowpokes was wettin' their gullets tossin' whiskey down. That mornin' they'd herded their steers to the railhead jes' east of town! After bein' on the trail fer weeks they was ready to go on a drunken toot! The sheriff had been through this before and was ready to settle any dispute! He was lanky with a leathered face and wore a .44 slung low on each hip. He was fast on the draw as shown by a dozen notches on each grip! The cowboys convened at the Long Branch Saloon when an uproar was heard! They was settlin' an issue with Slick, the resident gambler, that had occured!! They was yellin' and cussin' tryin' to git their paws on that miserable cheat! A brawl erupted and shots was fired - the fight spilled out into the street! The sheriff arrived on the scene and expertly drew his blazin' guns! After the smoke had settled, three fellers was sprawled upon their buns! Their pals, havin' seen the odds, hopped on their hosses and took to hoof! The gallant sheriff triumphed once agin and thus ended the daily spoof! When the swirlin' dust had settled and the billowin' smoke had dissipated, The tourists who saw this excitin' event cheered those who had participated! I reckon you thought a bit of history was bein' played out in old Dodge City! (If I "steered" you in that direction with this bull, what a doggone pity!) Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired © All Rights Reserved