Thomas P. Kelley (1908–1982)

"His first step was -- naturally -- the first saloon. Before it was the wooden sidewalk, a long hitching-rail and saddled horses of pioneer farms then the muddy street. From within came the gleam of lights, loud laughs and boisterous voices. After long and laborious hours, hardy sons of the sod were having their fun. Donnelly entered, pushed his way to the bar, motioned to a bottle and was served a stiff one. Downing it, he was wiping his lips with the back of his hand when he noticed the steady gaze of the one next to him. He returned the stare, eyes met and held a minute then Jim Donnelly pushed his glass back on the bar and spoke his first words in the village of Lucan: 'What the hell are you lookin' at, you horse-faced bastard?'"

Thus closes the first chapter The Black Donnellys by Thomas P. Kelley. Gotta love it.… (meer)