Smyrna times., 1885-09-23

any one faltered it would not be the
boy"
1--WE will drive into the plaza in front
of Smiths. Devine will probably be in
some saloon opposite. 1 shall go across
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 looking crowd gathered around
the ambulance
Hello, lieutenant !" said Smith, the
town shyster, coming out "What is
it?"
Telegraph" replied Parker, for all
to hear Il have come to see what you
can put up for it."
Good, said Smith, while a murmur
OF appreciation went through the crowd.
"Ill take you round to see the people.
Have the man put up the rig"
Can't stop long enough. I'm going
on to Florence to get their ideas.
Driver. keep the team here. You men
can go where you please, but be back in
time to start"
The ra@ having succeeded so far,
Parker and Smith walked across the
plaza to the saloon, while the men fol-
lowed aimlessly along carrying their
carbines on their hips.
Come in and have something" said
the hospitable Smith, when they crossed
the square; help you talk business"
Parker accepted, and they went in.
The saloon consisted of two rooms. In
the front room were two or three loun-
gers, but from the back room there
issued various sounds, which gave evi.
dence of a crowded table of gamblers.
Parker gave his order, and placed him
self so that by turning his head he could
command a full view of the back room.
Then he looked for his men. They were
already at the saloon door. They played
their parts well, for they seemed only
Whiting for their superior before they
took turn at the bar. Parker poured
out a generous glass, and turned his
eyes and glanced in the back room.
Directly in front of him ut the op-
posite side of the table sat Devine. At
the word " lieutenant the convict
raised his eyes and met Parker face to
lace. His first instinct being to escape
recognition, he resorted to the clumsy
device of dropping his glance and
slouching forward his sombrero. Par
ker looking 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
gambling room. He did not know what
tragedy would follow his words, but he
said
John Devine, want you -
A dozen pairs of eyes were turned
toward him and a dozen hands sought
for the ever-ready guns" but the
pistols were not drawn. Almost imme-
diately the men assumed look of wei.
come, and seemed tacitly to aclznowl-
edge that they had mistaken the in
truder.
"Hullo. ieutenantl" cried two or
three, in a frantic effort to set them
selves right. "Hullo Come in, come
in. Glad to see you Barkeep, some-
thing for the lieutenant Come in"
"Thank you" said Parker, wonder
ing what deceit this greeting was meant
to cover. "I'm on business, and bust
ness comes first. Come, Johnny, want
you"
"What want Johnny What's he
done ?" they cried, in grieved surprise.
Now, lieutenant you don't want John
ny, do your"
Parker made no answer, but kept his
eye warily on the crowd.
Devine threw down his cards, as if in
despair, saying
All right; I've got to go. This
thing has been hanging over me for a
year, and I'm glad it has come"
But don't be IN rush, cried the
others; g don't be in a rush, lieutenant.
Have drink. Come in and sit down.
We amt seen you in years"
Parker was so dumbfounded by this
continued politeness that he looked
about for the cause. 1t was evident.
A big sergeant stood behind him with
two cooked revolvers aimed at thecrowd,
and on each side of the door were SOL
diers 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 banker ?" asked Parl,o,.
:. Banker, cash Johnny's chips. Sorry
| can't lot him stay so that Won can bovo
back at him, but the moneys his"
Ihe disappointed banker roo.7o A.