National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-04-11


desperate character Of his business. More
respect was visible in their faces when he
gave his orders. They perceived from his
tone that If any one faltered IL would not
be tho "boy."
"Wo will drive into the plaza in front
of Smiths. Deylne will probably be in
some saloon opposite. If people ask our
business, It's telegraph. We have come
| twonty-three miles out Of our way by tho
telegraph line TO make them believe It..
shall 40 noross the plaza TO the saloons.
| You will loaf along fifty yards in the
rear with your carbines. I'll let you
know when L want you. Now, drive
on"
| Arrived at Sanford these directions
| were carried out to the letter. A small
but hard-lookiuK crowd gathered around
| the ambulance where IL halted.
Halo, lieutenant ~ said Smith. the
town shyster, coming out. What is IL ~
Telegraph" replied Parker, for all to
hoar, 1--WE como out to see what you
folks can put up for it."
| Good" said Smith, whilo n murmur
Of appreciation went through the crowd.
"Pll take you around TO SEQ the people.
Have tho man put up the rig"
Can't stop long enough. Pm going
on to Florence to got their ideas. That's
TO make my report. Driver, keep the
team here. You men can go where you
please, but BIO back In time to start"
Tho ruse having succeeded so far
Parker and Smith walked across tho
plaza to the saloons Sunday OF Monday
the heart Of Sanford business) while the
men followed aimlessly along, carrying
their carbines on their hips.
The Arizonians considered this very
peaceful spectacle, but they did not know
that IN every oarbine there was bullet
of 405 grains, with 20 grains Of powder
behind IL.
Come in and have something" said
tho hospitablo Smith when they had
crossed the square; "help you talk
business"
Parker accepted. and they went in.
The saloon consisted of two rooms, front
aud rear; in the front room were two or
three loungers, but from the back room
there issued through an open door ut the
end of the bar various sounds which gave
evidence Of crowded table of gamblers
Parker gave his order and placed himself
SO that by turning his head he could com
mand full Wow Of the back room. Then
he looked for his men. They were al
ready at the saloon door leaning OH their
carbines. They played their parts woll,
superior before they took turn at the
bar.
Parker poured out . generous, Arizona
glass and took 1t up; but instead Of re-
plying to Smiths bacchanalian salute of
well, lieutenant, here's how" no turned
his eyes and glanced into the back room.
Directly In front of him at the opposite
side of the table sat Devine. At the word
lieutenant" the convict raised his eyes
and met Parker face to face. His first in
stinct being to escape recognition, no re-
sorted to the clumsy device of dropping
his glance aud slouching forward his SOM
brero. Parker looked at him absently,
turned to the front OF the saloon, and
still holding up his glass, made the signal.
Then, without drinking he set the glass
down and walked directly TO the door of
the gamblipg-room. He did not know
what tragedy would follow his words, but
ho said, "Jobn Devine, want you"
A dozen pairs of eyes were turned to-
ward him aud q dozen hands sought for
the ever-ready guns" but the pistols
were not drawn. Almost Immediately
the mon assumed a look Of welcome, and
seemed facility to acknowledge that they
had mistaken. the intruder.
"Hullo, lieutenant cried two or three
in frantic effort to set themselves right.
"Hullo Come In, come in. Glad to see
you. Barkeep. something for the lieuten-
ant. Come in"
THANK you." said Parker, wondering
what decoi, this greeting WAS meant to
cover. "Pm on business. and business
comes first. Come, Johnny, want you"
what want Johnny? What's he
doneP' they cried in grieved surprise.
NOW, lieutenant, you don't want Johnny.
do youP
Parker made no answer, but kept his
eye warily on the crowd.
Devine threw down his cards. as IL in
despair. "All right; I've got to go. This
thing has been hanging over me for q
year, and Pm glad it's come"
"But don't be in rush." cried the
others; don't be in rush, lieutenant.
! Have drink. Como In and sit down.
We amt see you in years"
Parker was so dumfounded by this con-
tinued politeness that he looked about
for the cause. 1t was evident A big
sergeant stood behind him with two
cooked rsvolvers aimed al the crowd; on
each side of the door were soldiers with
pointed carbines.
The Arizona desperate understands the
doctrine of chances as well as the rest of US.
Devine arose to follow. He looked
mournfully at his big pile of chips.
who's bsnker?" asked Parker, who,
being a pretty stiff poker player him.
self, understood Devine's feelings.
Banker, cash Johnny's chips. Sorry /
can't let him stay so that you can have
back at him, but the moneys his"
Tha disappointed banker made the ex-
change.
While the party were taking Devine to
his house. where the convict wished to
say good-by to his wife. a horseman
passed them at full speed going toward
Florence, a little town to the east. The
incident did not escape the unsophisti-
Gated lieutenant
He sent an orderly for the ambulance,
and hurried Devine through his fare
wells. When the wagon drove up he was
ready. Everybody was mounted. The
convict had the appearance of being per.
fectly hopeless.
(Which way?" said the driver. Parker
looked Devine keenly in the face and
answered, Back through Sacaton."
The convict dropped his head, and his
hopelessness was no longer assumed.
sour friend on the horse will prepare
his ambush for nothing, won't hep
asked Parker.
HE just will, replied the convict, with
a laugh.
That night at 10, having driven eighty,
three miles since in the morning, the
detail arrived at the fort and Devine was
secure In tho post guardhouse.
The colonel was delighted and sur
prised.
~ spoke" said he. "of having another
officer come here, think better have
him come now and give you q leave"
"rhank you," said the bold lieutenant
then he explained that leaves were best
for wedding journeys and so led to fu Il
revelation.
an that case, replied the colonel, with
q dusty, Arizona wit, II will send for my
other daughter and give Helen leAy,
too."-Chicdgo Tribune.