Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-10-02
miscellaneous.
DAN LEvAN.

"There," said the Major, touching
me with his impressive forefnger, "you
wanted to see type of the Florida des-
pcrado; there is one now, getting of
his mule ut the bar-room.' I turned
quickly in my chair, and this is what |
saw: A medium.siz man of about
forty-fve, figure compact and well pro-
portioned, wellshapcd head, covered
with coarse, black hair, unkempt and
bristling, surmountcd by an immense
wool hat, black and dirty, that had seen
the storms and suns of many years u
faded white band traced off the brim,
which tapped at nearly every move
ment; the eyes were small, deep-set,
black as jet, vicious, cruel and slightly
frowning mouth wide. but we'll shaped,
filled with strong, double teeth tho face
bronzed and reckless looking; the voice
soft and as sweetly modulated rs wo-
mans.
The clothing was that usual with the
cracker coarse, snun-colored, and rough
programs covered the rather small feet.
"That is Dan Levan," continued the
Major; ugly as n iiend when excited by
liquor; kind, sociable, and friendly when
sober, and dead game all the time. lilo
has been beaten with clubs, stabbed and
cut with knives, shot and left for dead,
and here he is strong and hearty as ever,
prodigal with his money to the last de-
gree. and always fights square and open.
There is nothing Of the assassin in Dams
nature, but he is bad mat to fool with,
and much wiser than he makes out TO be.
81 remember once when We went over
into fernando county after cattle some
of them South Florida cowboys jumped
on him one night in shanty rum-mill
They saw he was stranger, and so
bantercd him for game Of ca:ds. They
didn't have TO coax much" said the
Major, warming up, 'for Dan plays a
very cold hand at poker, and can always
be persuaded to join in little game,
unless he is too drunk to sec the cards.
So they sat down to the little rough pine
table and the game began. There were
three Of the cowboys and only one Of
Dan. so they thought they had soft
thing of it. Well, in little while Dan
saw that they we're all playing against
him and cheating beside, but he didn't
let on one bit,and didn't get excited either
bless you, he never does that--but he
took out bis plug oftobacco, pulled out
clasp knife--and big one it is, too
cut off big chew, and calmly put it in
his mouth. They were oil watching
him, but, gentlemen, he fooled them all.
lie laid it, open just as it was, in his lap,
and the game went on.
II forget what tho hands were cx-
actly, but the stakes were heavy, and
there was right smart Of money on the
table--something like $l20 | think.
-Four noes won the pot, but when tho
cowboy reached out for IL he couldn't
get his hand of the table for, you see,
Dan had pinned it fast to the table with
his knife. The sneaking thief gave n
yell Of pait, and his comrades jumped
up from the table, but Dan had them
covered with self-cocking shooter with
six eyes TO IL, and they knew enough TO
keep quiet and not attempt TO draw.
Dan made them hold up their hands
while he relieved them Of their weapons /;
then he shot out the light in tho bar
room, mounted his mule---thc same one
you see therc--and rode off, It all hap
pened in less time than il takes me to
tell il, but one Of the cowboys said after
ward that he never thought man could
look as ferocious as Dan did that night.
lie said bis black hair stood up likes
spikes, his eyes looked like two points Of
fire and his voice meant funeral at very
short notice"
II know Dan well, said the judge
taking up the conversation, "and il you
ever chance TO be in his part Of the coun-
try and arc looking for place TO stay
over night, 20 to his house"
"Well,' said |, latter listening to the
Majors story, I don't know as Mr.. Levan
is the particular sort Of landlord should
admire"
There's where you arc wrong my
boy" continued tho judge, dan Lcvan
is as hospitablo AZ an Arab, and will
treat you like princc--far better than
many Of your high-toned friends would