Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-09-14
THE GAMBLERS CAT.

One evening" a number of Us were seated
in the bar-room of the only hotel in the vii
lage of Frogtown-the civilians portion of
Camp Floyd, in Utah, during the unpleas-
antneSs between the government and the
Mormons, in IS5S-Warming our shins be-
fore the huge fire that blazed in the old
fashioned fire place. The evening had wan
ed, and was fast approaching the small
hours, when the footsteps of horse ap-
preaching the house were heard.
The night was dreadfully cold and bleak !;
the wind was bowling across the alkili plain,
driving the falling rain against the windows,
causing them to rattle as if som one was
throwing shot against the glass, and it was
so dark, why, 'Egypt's dark sea" was not
circumstance to it. | have no idea how
dark Egypt's dark sea was but | have seen
the remark somewhere, and it sounds like a
good smile, therefore | use t-particularly
as | have got stuck for better.
Suddenly the animal halted in front of the
house, and CHEEKY voice called out Hal
lOa"
The landlord went to the door, and par
tally opening it, pecred out into the dark
ness, but not being able to discover anything
said:
Anybody there ?"
Yes, | am; bat if you'll hustle about
right cheerily wont stay here very long.
Go your way, if you want to, l am sure
| don't desire to interfere with you.
Il amt going away, not if there's roof
over your house. l come to stay, and | am
going to, or have fight"
Il calculate, stranger, you can get ac-
commodated with lively shake up, if you
are spilin' for fight
Not edzactly spilin' but some body will
have to superintend funeral if l am kept
cut 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, aud the landlord closed the door
and returned to his seat before the fire, and
pulling bis Powhatan pipe from his pocket,
proceeded to fill it with tobacco preparatory
to enjoying i smoke.
4 minute had scarcely elapsed before the
door opened, and large powerful man en-
tered. His hair hung in wringlets down his
back and clustered over his shoulders His
face was almost hidden behind bu.hy black
pair OF whiskers, and beneath a broad
brimmed hat. lie approached the fire,
while the rain dripped from his buckskin
garments, leaving little rivulet on the
floor
J0ying yourself here, amt you ?'' he
'2,i, as he looked around and took mental
Inventory Of those present.
Irving to oe comfortable" replied the
landlord, We always does"
'Derned independent, too--don't keer
bout commolating anybody either
Not pertickler Got the dead wood on
everybody. There hain't no other house in
his here town, and they all has to come to
ne, anyhow"
GU is the landlord. l reckon. Can't
you slvs fellow something to eat? I'm
Is hungry as a cayote
LOOK gone out, and l don't think thar
anything il the kitchen, 'ceptinp some
coli whites. You can go in there and see
what you can find.
Inc stranger took a candle, lit it, and
Proceeded to the kitchen, the way being
pointed ont by the landlord. After he had
gone out, the landlord reused an Indian
COY who was sleeping in one corner of the
room and sent him out to take care of the
stranger horse, which had been left stand
'0S In front Of the door. Some fifteen min
u.e' passed away, when the stranger return
ca from the kitchen, followed by large
black cat.
Whose cat is that, and where did it
come from - asked the landlord
hat ar animile b'longs to me, as was
brought iron New Mexico. Il is smart
cat, it Is -
And the owner lucky fellow broke in