Explore "Tombstone" by Walter Noble Burns on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
William M. Breakenridge had come to Tombstone half tenderfoot. When Sheriff Behan appointed him a deputy, folks in Tombstone had misgivings. Everybody liked Billy Breakenridge. He was a dapper, smiling, handsome young fellow, who looked upon the world with a pair of the friendliest eyes in it. He carried a six-shooter and a rifle, and was pretty expert with both, but his most effective weapon was his friendliness. The town people seemed to think it required more nerve than he possessed to ride deputy sheriff in that rough country. "He'll never make good" -- that was their prediction. Billy Breakenridge's official career at the outset seemed darkened by the ominous shadow of his smile. But what Tombstone prophets failed to take into consideration was the daredevil courage behind the smile.
"Billy," said Sheriff Behan one day, "I want you to go over into the San Simon and collect the taxes. You'll have to make your own assessments and collect the money on the spot. That's our way in Cochise County. When can you start?"