Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-11-28
"Bv love ! Ned. Pm with Won y

1t will help quiet the nerves you know
'' Looked with surprise at nv com.
panion. for / knew that Markham
was not in the habit of using strong
=, drink, and moreover the captain was
conversant with my oft expressed de-
termination to touch no liquor while
in the service. He noticed my surprise
and smiled, as he whispered in a low
tone.
1--WE police do queer things. Come
in: 60 through the motions, If ycu
don't wish to drink. III explain after
while. We are in search Of informa-
tion, you know"
Being assured that there was some
good reason for our present conduct,
entered the saloon with Markham -
IL was a moderately large room, with a
back door and a window. Along one
side ran a counter, and on the few
shelves behind it. against the wall, were
an assortment of various colored bot
ties. and some articles of merchandise.
The bar keeper, short, burly fellow,
who stood in his shirt sleeves and bare
head. smiled grimly as we entered, and
affably inquired what we would have
to drink.
Two brandies, sugar and water"
Two tumblers were placed on the
counter, a pitcher of water, dilapida-
ted sugar bowl, and villainous look
ing black Junk bottle, which latter ar
ticIe contained as unpalatable a liquor
as ever passed the lips of mortal man.
We mixed, and slipped slowly, | ,'go-
ing through the motions" | noticed
that Markham seemed more interested
in the fourth occupant of the saloon,
than with the brandy and water. This
other customer was sitting by himself
at a small table, drinking leisurely
q glass of liquor. He was a man, tri-
ae above the medium height, with
heavy teutonic features, large head
! Joined to his body by a thick neck, a
heavy frame. and he was beyond doubt
an athletic person. He wore the garb
of a Federal soldier, and probaly be
Ionged to some infsntry regiment of
the army.
Before we had finished our brandy,
we noticed an intelligent glance pass
between the saloon keeper and the
soldier. | noticed, too, that my friend,
the captain, had kept an eye upon the
soldier as constantly as he could with
ou: attracting the mans attention.
Moreover, the captain was evidently
much excited. which was an unusual
thing for him; or at least unusual for
him 20 show it in any way.
The soldier rose TO his feet. With |
the rapidity ofthought, Markham drew /
his revolver from his pocket, turned |
around and covering the soldiers
breast. said in calm, determined tone: |
bill Dutton. you are nv prisoner"
As fash of electricity from cloud |
less SKY, the information darted
through my brain. thag We were in the
presence of the redOutable smuggler
and spy, whose arrest the whole army
police were that night to attempt.
The desperate saw that he was dis
covered, but he had no thought of
yielding. On the contrary he drew a
pistol from a side pocket so quickly
that the captain had scarcely time to
pull the trigger of his own weapon. be-
fore the spy had brought his pistol to
a level, the captains revolver snapped
and hung fire. At almost the same
instant the soldier discharged his
weapon, the ball striking the captains
pistol and wrenching it from his grasp,
leaving him unarmed. Dutton fired
second time, when the captain placed
his hand upon his breast. staggered and /,
fell, exclaimiug, Hes killed mel"
Exactly what part / was to play in
his recontre, was decided by the bar
keeper, who leaped upon me with the {
fury of madman. / had no time to
draw my revolver. but planted Wig {
orous blow square in the fellows face,
which seemed to partially stun him
'or moment. The fight having begun. j
hesitated no longer, Utit caught the |
wretch by the throat and tripped him a
lp so that he fell upon his Jack. To '
whip out my six-shooter and thrust
he muzzle into his face was the work y
If second. The touch of the cold g
iteel upon his cheek unstrung his U
nerves, and the burly fellow grew as a
)ale as a sheet in the face, and began t
o whine for mercy.
"Comel for heavens sake let US CO." t
aid some one. 1t was the voice of il
.aptain Markham, and felt his hand Il
lpon my shoulder. n
60 l exclaimed in amazement, p
ooking up into his face. Il thought A
.ou were dead where is Dutton Shall &
blow this villains head Off"
No, no. Come quickly. Get me b
uFgical aid" calculated the captain, o
Dutton IS gone. shall bleed to death, C
n ten minutesw c
,.,.-, q, 49, Eo,k IL =
nto my breast pocket, and caught my r.
riend by the arm. | hurried him out ft
lto the street, and supporting him in Il
ly arms, 1 half carried and hSlf ST
ragged him from the partially deser- u
ed side street into the main avenue. Z
Wagon was passing along, and was oi
n the point of calling to the driver p,
,r aid, when Markham clapped his al
aud over my mouth, and straigh tened d.
imself up, with a laugh. -4-
There, Ned! there's no use for fur rU
lere strategy. Don't look so dreadful &C
down in the mouth. There's moth
g the matter with your humble SER
INT Richards himself again." nj
| stood and gazed into my compan- 1t,
ms face for moment, until was as
red that he had not gone crazy, and an
as satisfied that he spoke the truth. of
hen l caught his hand and exclaim- ly-
THANK God for itl You gave me ha
ght, old fellow, what on earth meant
u by such conduct ?"
Playing 'possum, as we used to say
old Ohio" rejoined the captain
You see, when we passed the sa-
On door l thought 1 saw Dut
n. The sequel proved correct wa
have seen him several times and fiv
tected him in spite of his dis no
Use. When he knocked my pistol tai
t of my hand, and l saw that the vii Su
n had four loads yet TO discharge,
ought my time had come, unless | sal
oled him. So pretended he had hit ne
2, and dropped. The rascal was a
lied and ran through the back door, th'
thout waiting to shoot again. Now Nj
thinks l am dead, and he won't wi
low me if he sees me again to night" inG
But why try TO deceive the bar keep :
too? l ought to have put bullet cof
10 him, at all events" for
mo the man was no doubt Dut- die
1's accomplice. Ii was equally nee the
,ary to mislead him. His case can at
,..o,lad 70 or coma f,,...-. l.. D, on,