The weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1883, 1883-02-07
IAKE'S LITTLE GIRL.
Effects of a Little Child's Pres
ence in a Gambling Den.'
From the PAiladelphia Tines.

From the Philadelphia Times.
There is gambler here in the saloon
attached to the dance house who rejoices
in the name of Faro Jake. Jakeisa very
gentlemanly fellow, and as polite as a
French dancing master. He has no small
vices; neither smokes, drinks, chews,
nor swears. He is accounted the most
expert faro dealer on the frontier. He
lives in q little tent on the outskirts Of
the town, his companion lovely little
girl about six years old who calls him
papa. The little ones name is Bessie.
She is a pure and innocent creature,
with fresh, sunny face, lighted by great
blue eyes. Her hair is as flossy as corn
silk and hangs down her back in long
curls. At very infreQuent intervals she
comes into town. was here on the Oc-
casion of one of these rare visits. 1t was
Sunday evening, and work being sus-
pended on most of the railroad contracts;
the town was full and business was
booming. The saloon where her father
deals is the. largest HI town, and at least
200 rough men, armed to the teeth, were
scattered about the apartment. A dance
was in progress in the hall. 1t was just
after pay day, and money was flush and
was being squandered with prodigal lib
erality. l was seated at the corner of the
bar, watching the nimble fingers of a
monte dealer at an adjoining table. The
air about was blue with tobacco smoke
and profanity. Suddenly hdsh fell
upon the rioters and all eyes were turned
towards the door. Standing on the
threshold, with half confident, hall
timid look on her face was little Bessie.
She was dressed in snow white dress
and her dimpled arms were closed about
rough doll, which she held tight to her
brest.
"Come in, little one!" cried a big
"navy." "Sure, there's no man here will
harm hair NV yer head, you pretty little
sunbame."
Thus assured, Bessie came into the
room and walked straight to the table
where her father was dealing.
"Bessie" he cried, and frowned.
"Oh, papa!" she shouted, and sprang
forward. II was 80 lonely and just came
for one kiss" She put her arms around
her fathers neck and laid her soft cheek
against his. "Now, please don't be cross,
papa. kiss me and I will go straight
back"
Faro Jack kissed the soft, red mouth
uplifted to his dozen times.
II can't be cross, with you, Bessie y
he said, and carried her to the door.
"Run home now like good little girl"
The hush in the room had deepened,
and men who, for ought 1 know, had
hands red with the blood of their fellow
kind, held their breath in the presence
of this vision of loveliness and purity.
Jake stopped to kiss her again at the
door. One of the dance hall sirens had
been devouring the little one with hun
CRY eyes. AS Bessie gathered her doll
closer and prepared for the run home she
stepped forward
"Jake!" she said in hoarse voice and
touched the gamblers arm. II know ]
amt fit to,sbut will you let me hiss her!'''
Bessie heard the question and turned
her wonderous blue eyes towards the
speakers face.
"Papa don't care" she said, "he likes
to have people kiss me-
The woman sprang forward and caught
her in her arms. She kissed the pure
face a score of times and Rugged her
close.
"God bless you, little angle" she said,
and sitting Bessie down, she turned
away. The child ran off, throwing back
kisses from the tips of her pink fingers,
and the men cheered.
you're fool, L." said tall cowboy,
striding up to the woman. "What do We
want to act so babyish for? Come let's
haye eanother daink and go back to the
hail."
"Now cried the woman fiercely. 81
dance no more, drink no more this
night"
She rushed pass the cowboy toward
the door leading to her tent. When she
passed me her painted face had new
light in it and there were tears in her
eyes. All! one sees a great deal ofhuman
nature, good and bad.