The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-06-18

In which case can merely get the
sixteen thousand already due me-" Rich
mond answered, with a sneer. How
ever, inasmuch as the debt was good
for just nothing, 1 accept. Send for
lawyer"
While we were waiting for the notary's
appearance, I, with many others in the
room, tried to dissuade Chauncey from
his desperate purpose; but knew well
we might as well have tried to soften
rock. 1 offered to raise the sixteen
thousand dollars, and pay the debt; but
in vain. Nothing would satisfy him
but to play out the stake he had pro-
posed. It's no use, gentlemen. 1
know what I'm about" was all we could
get out of him. One thing managed
to do, unnoticed by Chauncey or Rich
mond, and, as far as l knew, by any one
else present. L took my revolver, whose
chambers had recently been emptied,
though the dead cartridges" were still
there, and substituted it for Disbrowe's
on the table.
Presently the notary public made his
appearance, and the policy was duly as
signed to Richmond. OF course had
no choice but to sign the paper. L really
felt good deal as Chauncey did about
the debt,-that it must be paid. But.
standing there, with Disbrowe's loaded
revolver in my breast, L made up my
mind that, if Chauncey's life was for
feited Richmond should not long out
live him.
The cards were now dealt. l looked
over Chauncey's hand. He certainly had
an unusually good one,-one that it
would have been safe to bet on nine
times out of ten. There was indeed but
one combination could beat it. The
drover looked moment, and then
turned to me.
" Look here, Mr.. Redwood" Il was
well known in Denver)" I'd like to bet
sixteen thousand dollars on that hand
myself. What d. We sayY I've got the
money right here"
"But 1 haven't" 1 answered.
"Wal," said he, yer friend thar, he's
a winnin' man ter-nght You see, he's
put that thar ring on again for ther ex-
try thousand. I'm superstitious, am.
I'll make ther bet with yer, an then, eff
you lose, why, 1 know all about yer
I'll take your note for the money"
1 looked into the mans honest, kindly
face as he made this proposal, and saw
that he was in earnest. If Chauncey
lost, he meant for me to win enough to
pay the stake and save his life. / made
up my mind at once of course.
"All right; I'll take your bet, +" said.
Richmond had merely glanced at his
hand, and then laid it, face down, upon
the table. "Well," asked he, careless
ly, care you prepared to back your
hand 7"
"Yes, ,sir,' Chauncey answered ,curtly.
"For how much"
"Sixteen thousand dollars"
" Richmond raised his eyebrows just
a trifie at this. "Very WE'LL" said he,
iuShy O"il yOuj anu ShoNcu Ills
hand. 1t was the one combination to be
dreaded. Chauncey had lost
There was an awful stiffness all
through the room. Chauncey just
glanced at the others hand, and per-
ceived that he had lost but nota muscle
of his face changed.
CT am quite satisfied, sir" he said, to
Richmond. "You will let me redeem
the ring ?" And he took up the dia-
mond, putting down thousand dollars
in its place. "Reddy, old fellow, you'll
wear the ring for the sake of old times
And here are a couple of thousands you
had better take. / shan't want it, you
know" Then he turned to Richmond
again, and, saying, " L am glad that you
and are quits, sir" he suddenly, be-
fore any one could lift a hand, seized the
revolver, placed it close to his temple,
and pulled the trigger OF course no re-
port followed.
He glanced at the weapon in surprise;
and understandings once the deception,
he looked around at me- 1t was the first
time had ever met that angry flash in
his eyes that others had felt SO often.
You had no right to do that, Red
wood" he said sternly "Nor was it
kind. 1t would have been all over now.
Where is my revolverY"
But now the drover came forward.
Here's suthin' better'n that" he