National Republican., 1884-06-13
DAN LEVAN.
A Florida TypO-IIpIf DosperSdo and Half
Courteous HospItabIe Gentleman.
Philadelphia 7imt

Courteous HospitabIe Gentleman.
Phiiddeiphid times.
'Tho re-" said tho major, touching mo with
his impressive forofngor, you wanted to 500
q typo of the Florida desperate; there is one
now getting OF his mule at tho barroom."
/ turned quickly in my chair and this is what
| saw: A medium sized man of about 40,
figure compact and we'll proportioned, well
shaped head, covered with coarse, black hair,
ankempt and bristling, surmounted by an
immense wool hat, black and dirty, that had
scon the storms and suns of many years n
faded whitO baud traced off the brim,
which nappod ut nearly ovory move
mont tho cyes were small, deep sot, black as
ject viCiOus cruel, and slightly frowning;
mouth wide, but well shaped, filled with
strong, double toeth tho faco bronaod aud
reckless looking; the voice soft aud as swoetly
mOdulatcd as u wOman's.
Tho clothing was that usual with tho
cracker; coarse, snufl.colorod. and rough
brogans covered tho rather small feet.
THAT is Dan Loyan," continued the major
ugly rs hend when excited by liquor
kind, Bocable, and friendly when sober, and
dead game all the time. Ho has been beaten
with clubs, stabbed and cut with knives, shot
and lott for dead, and here he is strong and
hearty as ever, prodigal with his money to
tho last degree, and always fights square and
OptHs utEb ~ uObHluB Ol blc hSbdoolh III
Dams nature, but ho Is a bad man to fool
with, aud much wiser than he makes out
| to be.
II remember Onco when we went over into
| Hcrnando county after cattle somo of them
south Florida cowboys jumped on him ono
| night in shauty rum mill. They saw ho
| was stranger, and 80 bantercd him for q
gano of cards. They didn't have to coax
much," said the major, warming up, "for Dan
plays very cold hand at pokor and eau
always be persuaded to join in II little game,
unloss no is too drunk to see the cards. SO
| they sat down TO tho little rough pine tablo
and tho game began. There were three Of
| tho cowboys and only ono of Dan, so they
| thought they had soft thing of it. Well, in
little whilo Dan saw that they were all
| playing against him and cheating beside, but
| he didn't let on one bit, and didn't got OK
cited either-hlcss you, ho never does that
but ho took out his plug of tobacco, pulled
out his clasp knife and n'Sig ono it is, too
| cut oil u big chow, and calmly put 1t i'll his
mouth. They were all watching him, but,
gentlomen, no fooled them all. When he put
| his knife back in his pocket, why ho didn't
put 1t back, that's all. Ho laid it, opon just
as II was in his lap, and the game wont on.
IL forget what the hands wore exactly, bu I
the stakes were heavy, and thcro was right
smart of money on the tabo-something like
$l20, think. Four aces won the pot, but when
the cowboy reached out for ii he couldn't got
his haud off the table, for you SEQ Dan had
pinned 1t fast to tho table with his knife
The sneaking thief gave n yell of pain, and
his comrades jumped up from the table, but
Dan had them covered with a self-cockine
shooter with six eyes to it, and they knew
enough TO keep quiet aud not attempt Ia
draw. Dan made them hold up their hands
while ho relieved them of the weapons; then
he shot out the light in the bar-room
mounted his mule-the same one you soc
there and rode oil. 1t all happened In less
time than it takes me to tell it, but one of the
cowboys said aftorward that he never thought
a man could look as ferocious as Dan did that
night. lie said his black hair stood up like
spikes, his eyes looked like two points of FIRE
and his voice meant funeral at very shorl
notice."
81 know Dan WE'LL" said the judge taking
up tho conversation, "and If you ever chance
to be in his part of the country and are look
ing for place to stop at over night go to hi
house.
"Well." said /, "after listening to the
majors story, don't knowas Mr.. Levan II
the particular sort of landlord l should I'D
mire."
There's whore you arc wrong, my boy
continued tho Judge; Dan Levan is as hos
pitable as an Arab and will treat you libe 6
prince-lar better than manyof your high
toned friends would. l have been guest o
his and know what l am talking about III,
VIII give you tho very best no hns-plenty o
bread and meat and coffee and sweet pota
tOes-and oil this with a royal hearty wei
come. He will bring out little brown jul
with a cOrncob stopper, and turn his back {,
while you are drinking, so that you will be
simply on your honor regarding quantity
When night comes you will get the only bet
there is in the house, and Dan and his famil.
will! sleep on the floor. In the morning yol
will find a Florida bath tub IA natural sink
ready for you, with gourd Of soap and
clean towel. Thon you sit down to q no
breakfast, and after that, if you are a littlt
puzzled as to the proper road to take, Dar
will got on his mulo and rido all day will
you, if necessary, to put you in the righ
direction. And remember that all this Il
without any charge whatever, for Dan woult
consider it personal insult if you woult
offer him any compensation. lio is alway
glad to have you for u guest If you cor
appreciate his humble hospitality"