The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1878-06-28
"REMINISCENCES Or MONTANA.
THE LUCK OF DADDY BLAKE-AN DER
TRUE TALE
By SAND BAR.

| Written for the NEW NORTHWEST
A motley throng, such as nowhere else
could be seen, except in mining town.
filled F.'s large gambling saloon in. the little
city Of f., one beautiful evening in June,
'66. Hustling each other in this grand
saloon was every type Of Western humani.
ty. The bull whacker with his whip coiled
round about his neck, clad in buckskin
greasy and worn, redolent with the fumes
of whisky and tobacco, rudely jostled
the broadcloth of H., the banker, whose
portly form and clean, smooth-shaven con-
tented face evidenced perfect familiarity
with life's luxuries. Here and there a
caquero with his wide sombrero, many
colored sash and jingling spurs, could be
seen playing monte. Leaning against the
window engaged in animated converse was
M, of the Daily c. and the Hon. Mr..
McC., the newly elected Territorial Dele
gate. This gentleman, o lawyer of some
note, was a choice specimen of the Western
politician of Irish extraction. His broad
| uOuC4 0FCA6AOA w WdUCIt tuoEOuKu
knowledge of the verpacnlar and mex
haustible fund of anecdote endeared him
to the body polite. The topic dear to the
editorial heart, politics." was evidently
the theme of discussion, Judging from the
attentiveness of little knot of listeners
gathered near them. Lounging through the
room, Micawber-like, waiting for some
! thing to turn up" were many of that
brotherhood known as the "White Check
Guerrillas." Well-dressed, gentlemanly in
appearance, their faces marked with lines
of care and dissipation, plainly told their
calling. Ranchers, miners, merchants,
people in every walk of life were here,
some to play, some to talk and drink, but
many merely as "lookers-on in Vienna"
In one end of the room stood the bar, con-
spicuous for its elegant mirror, fine oil
paintings, and cut glass. It's presiding
genius was Johnny t., heavy-set, we'll
preserved, handsome man of 38 but under
pleasing exterior lay dormant passions
that go far toward making in this country
what is generally termed hard man.
Quick to resent insult, he was known to all
the habitues Of the place as man to be
let severely alone. Woe to the rough
who sought to display his prowess
here. The lesson taught him was severe
but salutary. Arranged around the sides
OF the room were the faro tables, and thickly
clustered around them were the players.
Nothing but the rattle of checks could be
heard. On the greeM-covered tables were
displayed the bright lay-outs, each of the
thirteen cards covered with checks, the
silver box with its load of cards, the suave,
courteous dealer awaiting the last bet-aI
presenting novel, interesting sceae not
easily forgotten So. g e
Seated at one of these tables, keeping
the cases that regulated the game, was an
old man of sixty. Though past the me-
ridian OF life, he was still hale and strong.
His wrinkled face showed no traces Of care
or trouble. From under his shaggy eye
brows, the deep-set gray eyes scanned
every turn the dealer made. Ever and anon
he would stroke the long beard that fell TO
his waist. Clothed In a worn and faded
suit Of jeans, with his silvery hair protrud-
ing through rents in the old felt hat adorn-
ing his head, he was the ideal representa-
tive Of the old time mining sport. From
an occasional remark dropped now and then |
on the action Of certain cards, it would have
been satisfactory to the most casual observ-
or that at King Faro's door could be laid
the past and present misfortune Of the old
gentleman. s.
= Daddy, il the queen o case ?" inquired
a stalwart miner, sitting to bis right.
z Yaas,'' slowly responded the old man.
"a hard one she is, too. Lost en- win
twice. Copper for me she win tber last
deal. / haint money enough to reach ef
I had, I'D a beat her this time.
What are you playing" queried the
miner, q two-two? 7" - @ i
eyes" said Daddy, {. en- they haint q |
comm tibet way. I'm jest that contrary |
won't chop. Jest as I expected the six
fell agin the box, en- I'm broke. ] can't |
beat Jack, (the dealer,) he's too lucky. Els
well play agin BRACE Some of you fellers |
that's lucky keep the cases" and getting |
up slowly and reluctantly. casting wistful
look 4t the layout, Daddy turned away.
He had not taken many steps from the |
table ere be felt the weight of o heavy
hand on his shoulder. Turing quickly |
around, there stood facing him q young man |
or % or so, six feet in heighth be was |
4 model Of physical beauty, dressed in ?
well.fitting suit Of some dark material that |
betrayed every movement Of bis 1.-THE,
graceful form. The well-shaped. aristo-
cratic head with its clustering locks Of
dark brown hair !; the handsome face clas-
sical I'M its outlines the silky mustache
that shaded the mouth tender and express
sive as woman's, bespoke man accus-
toned to d higher walk in life than bis
present surroundings indicated With an
amused smile ID his light blue eyes he met
the upturned inqniring gazeof the old man.
q What'll ysr hev, young feller - said
Daddy &c last.
"A good deal said the stranger, and |
--..----,t
Thetss suthin thet yer'll NOT git in this /
house, tho they do say b it's squaro
4 You mistake me, Sir. II you ars At /
leisure, oblige me In more private plaoe