The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-09-21


"Why, old fellow" said one, you've
been asleep. You're day behind the
age"
The slow creature was little nettled.
"Wa'al, yes, now,' retorted one of the
miners, working away.
"A day is twenty-four hours, remarked
the stupid man, sarcastically.
".Wa'al, suppose it is %
"Then you haven't knowed of it day.
You're smart, | admit; but not that
smart"
What'll you bet ?''
Twenty dollars and drinks all around"
"Done."
In those days bet, if nothing worse,
grew out of very slight differences of
opinion, no matter how trifiing subject.
The money was staked.
" How is it going to be proved ?"
"That's easy"
"Who brought the news ?"
"Dave Long-one of our mess. He'd
been down to Marvsville over Sunday on
a bender"
"Where is he?'
"At our cabin. He's cooking this
week"
"Well, drop them tools. You're all
dry, and SO am L Dave-Smith, is it 2"
"No. Dave Long"
started toward the cabin to have the bet
decided and get the drinks.
"Now, remember" said the green
stranger, Pm willing to pay if 1 lose
but day is twenty-four hours"
"Weli 30
He looked at his watch.
Mark, then, it's jus 'leven now"
There were several watches in the party
all were referred to. They varied bnt
few minutes.
Let me see," said the miner who had
wagered with the newcomer" Let me
see. Why of course you'll lose, stranger.
'Twasn't morn ten yesterday mornin'
when Dave come, and he took his time
getting dinner ready-which was eat at
10"
"To be sure" said another.
"Oh, watt" said the stranger. "Leave
it to him."
All right. He knows, for he has a
watch, and had timed it himself coming
from Marysville."
They reached the cabin; Dave Long,
according to custom, was serving his turn
at keeping house for the week.
"Dave?"
"HellO!" replied a gruff voice within.
"Come out"
"What's wantin'."
"We've got up bet, drinks included,
and it is left for you to decide"
Dave Long came to the door-a big,
burly fellow.
"This man here-I don't known his
name"
Blossom" put in the stranger.
"Well, Blossom he came round and
went to tell rs news. Twas about that
murder, you know. l told him he'd been
asleep, and was behind the age. Now
the bet is that we've know'd it day
twenty-four hours-you brought the news,
and know whether we have or not.
"Now, honor BRIGHT" said the self
styled Blossom. "Think first. know
you would not say what isn't true, but
you might forget. It's now just IL. Can
you say you got here with the news be-
fore this time yesterday Think, now"
Dave Long ruminated
"Yes, for looked at my watch to see
how long / had been coming. 1t was
only two or three minutes after TO-"
g .. Are you sure ?"
"Certain you could swear to it?"
"For you know" put in one of the
others, that you got dinner after you
came"
Eyes, durn 1t don't know it?'
"But," said the fastidious stranger,
"may be you didn't tell the news right
away~
"Yes / did"
"And brought it straight from Marys-
vllle?'
aYeA"
"All right, I've lost. Now for the
drinks. Give us your hand, Dave Long"
Thar it is, stranger"
With . movement 20 quick that the
eve could not follow it, the inquisitive
stranger snatched both hands Of Dave
Long, brought them together, and the
astonished spectators saw their comrade
standing with pair Of handouts on his
wrists. They also sAw the new arrival,
the man who lacked of energy, the man
who had been asleep for twenty-four
hours. the man with the mild name Of
Blossom, standing &C their burly confed-
crates elbow. with Q firm hand on his
collar and . revolver 1t his temple.
"You are my prisoner! Move IN inch
and you're \ dead man. ] arrest you for
the murder Of MrA Wolf ] am detect
i've Black, of Sacramento. Neighbors, pve
"a n