The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-08-19
Tistellantous.
THE GAMBLERS CAT.

warming our shins before the huge
fire that blazed in the old fashioned fire
place. The evening had waned, and
was fast approaching the small hours,
when the footsteps of a horse approach
ing the house was heard.
The night was dreadfully cold and
bleak, the wind was bowling across the
alkali plain, driving the falling rain
against the windows, causing them to
rattle as if some one was throwing shot
against the glass, and it was 50 dark,
why, "Egypt's dark sea" was not cir
cumstancc to it. l have no idea how
dark Egypt's dark sea was, but L have
seen the remark somewhere, and it
sounds like good simile, therefore 1
use it-particularly as have got stuck
for better.
Suddenly the animal halted in front
of the house, and CHEEKY voice called
out, "HalloaW
The landlord went to to the door and
partially opening it, peered out into the
darkness, but not being able to discover
anything, said:
"Anybody there ?"
eyes, L am; but if you will hustle
about right cheerily won't stay here
very long"
$50 your way, if you want to, am
sure 1 don't desire to interfere with
YOU"
81 ain't going away, not if there's a
| f,N 10,
and am going to or have o fight"
81 calculate stranger, you can get ac.
cOmmodated with lively shake up, if
you are spilin' for fight.
"Not edzactly spiin' but somebody
will have to superintend funeral if I
am kept out here much longer.
"Don't know about that; but one
thing is sartin, you can help yourself
come in, or stay out, jess as you feel
like. We amt Particular" and the
landlord closed the door and returned
to his seat before the fire, and pulling
his Powhatan pipe from his pocket,
proceeded to fill it with tobacco prepar-
atory to enjoying smoke.
A minute had scarcely elapsed before
the door opened, and large, powerful
man entered. His hair hung in ringlets
down his back and clustered over his
shoulders. His face was almost hidden
behind II bu5hy black pair of whiskers,
and beneath broad -brimmed hat. He
approached the fire, while the rain drip
ped from his buckskin garments, leav'
ing little rivulet upon the floor.
"'Joying yourself here, amt you ?"
he said, as he looked around and took a
mental inventory of those present
"rrying to be comfortable" replied
the landlord, "We always does"
"Derned independent, too-don't
keer bout 'commodating anybody
either"
"Not pertickler. Got the dead wood
on everybody. There hain't no other
house in this here town, and they all
has to come to ME anyhow"
"You is the landlord, 1 reckon. Can't
you give a fellow something to eat?--
I'm as hungry as coyote"
Goods gone out, and / don't think
thar is anything in the kitchen, 'cept-
ing some cold wittles. You can go in
there and see what you can find"
The stranger took a candle, lit it, and
proceeded to the kitchen, the way being
pointed out to him by the landlord.
After he had gone out, the landlord
reused an Indian boy, who was leeping
in one corner of the room, and sent him
out to take care of the strangers horse,
which had been left standing in front
of the door, Some fifteen minutes
passed away, when the stranger re-
turneI from the kitchen, followed by a
large black cat.
"Whose cat is that, and where did it
come from ?" asked the landlord.
"That ar animile b'longs TO me, and
was brought from New Mexico. 1t is a
smart cat, it is"
"And the owner "a lucky fellow, "broke
in a taciturn old gambler who had been
smoking his pipe all the evening, with
out uttering word.
"You is right, old fellow; "a black cat
always brings good luck, ard that cat
has been my constant companion for
three years. He's better nor dog, and
just as much company. Why, he knows
more nor a man. Don't you, Sam?"
The cat jumped upon it's masters
shoulder, and began to purr and arch
its back, as if it greatly pleased at the
praise bestowed upon it.
81 say landlord, have you got any
chickens? I'd like to have one for
breakfast"
$50 would | ;" replied the landlord,
"but l can't get it, There amt any one
in this region as has got chickens, 'cept-
ing the Curnel of the cavalry, opposite,
and he keeps guard standing over the
stable in which they roost,"
The stranger again took survey OF
the party, and then said;
"You look like good set of fellows
Now I'll tell you what Wen do. If you
are agreed, we will have chicken fol
our breakfast, and the Curnel will suf
fer. What say you all ?"
at would be little too dangerous IL
attempt to nip them chickens" said the
gambler, although l must say think
a piece of chicken would taste mighty
nice"
"Whar did you say the chickens rOos
ted? asked the stranger.
The landlord told him, and as he did
so the stranger stroked the back of his
cat, and repeated the landlords words
Having concluded, he said, snow Sam
you must get us one of them chickens
and you have got to be keerful, or yor
will lose one Of your lives" He ther
opened the door, and the cat walked
out.