The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1886-12-03

that he had lately had notice to quit his pres
ent lodgings in consequence Of arrears i'll his
rent, and he had hopeful reliance that his
confidential occupation would carry bread
and lodging with it. But he only asked if
there were any new papers to make out.
"Ahcm. not at present; the fact is I am
obliged to give SO much Of my time to callers
Il have to-day been obliged to see half q
dozen-that must lock myself up and say
| Not at home for the rest of tho day" Feel
ing that this was al intinlation that the inter-
view was over, the new private secretary, a
little dashed as to his near hopes but still
sanguinc Of the future, hulnbly took his
leave.
But here a certain providence, perhaps
mindful ct poor Dobbs, threw into his simple
hantls--to be used Or not, if he were worthy
or capable of using it-a certain power and
advantage. He had descended the staircase,
and was passing through the lower corridor,
when he was made the unwilling witness of
remarkable assault.
1t appeared that Mr.. Wiles, who had
quilted Gashwiler's presence as Dobbs was
announced, had other business in the hotel,
No 90. In response to the gruR voice that
bado him enter, Mr.. Wiles opened the door,
and espied the figure of a tall, muscular, fiery
bearded man extended on the bed, with the
bed clothes carefully tucked under his chin,
and his arms lying flat by his side.
Mr.. Wies beamed with his right cheek,
and advanced to the bed as IL to take the
hand of the stranger, who, however, neither
by word or sign, responded to his salutation.
"Perhaps I'm intruding!" said Mr. Wiles
blandly.
sPerhaps you are, said Red Beard dryly.
Mr.. Wiles forced smile ON his right cheek,
which he turned to the smiter, but permitted
the left to indulge III unlimited malevolence
u wanted merely to know if you have looked
into that ,natterl" he said meekly.
"1've looked into it and around it and
across it and over it and through it." re-
sponaed the man gravely, with his eyes fixed
on Wiles.
~,nu you have pcrused an the papers:n
continued Mr. Wiles
"1'vc read every paper, every speech, every
affidavit, every decision, every argument, !"
said tho stranger, Us if repeating formula.
Mr.. Wiles attempted to conceal his embar-
rassment by an easy, right handed smile,
that went of sardonically on tho left, and
continued: "Then hope, my dear sir, that,
having thoroughly mastered the case, you
are inclined to be favorable to us?"
The gentleman in the bed did not reply, bur
apparently nestled more closely beneath tho
coverlids.
II have brought the shares I spoke of, "
continued Mr.. Wiles. insinuatingly.
"Hev you friend within call!" interrupted
the recunlbcnt man, gently.
II don't quite understand" smiled Mr..
Wiles. OF course, any name you might sug.
gest-"
"Hev you a friend, any chap that you
might waltz in here at a moments call?'
continued the man in bed. mo? Do you
know any Of them walters in the houses
Thar's bell over yan!' and he motioned with
his eyes toward the wall, but did not other.
wise move his body.
"No," said Wiles, becoming slightly sus.
picious and wrathful
"Mebbe stranger might do? I reckon
thar's one passin' in the hall. Call him in
he'll dol"
Wiles opened the door little impatiently
yet inquisitively, as Dobbs passed. The man
in bed called out, ooh, stlunger!" and, Us
Dobbs stopped, said, "Come var"
Dobbs entered a little timidly, as was his
habit with strangers.
II don't know who you be-nor care,
reckon. said the stranger. "This yer man
pointing to Wiles-"is Wiles. I'm Josh Sib
blee OF Fresno, member of congress from tho
Fourth congressional district Of Californy
I'm jst lying here with tlerringer into eacl
hand-jist lying here Eiyered up and holdin
i'll only to keep from blowin' the top o this
id skunk's head off. I kinder feel can't
hold in any longer. What want to say te
We, stranger, is that this yer skunk-whicl
his name is Wiles-hez bin tryin' his d-tles1
to get a bride onto Josh, and Josh, QUITO re-
spect for his constituents, is jst waitin' 10,
some stranger to waltz in and stop the d-dcs1
fight"
"But, my dear Mr.. Sibblee, there must bs
some mistake" said Wiles, earnestly.
Mistake! Strip mel"
"No! Mop said Wiles, hurrielly, as Tx
supplemented Dobbs was about to draw
down the covcrlid
"Takc him away" said the Hon. Ri.
sibblee, "beforc disgrace my constituency
They said I'd he in Jail afore l get through
the session. Eff you've got any humanity
stranger, shake him out, and pow'ful quick
too"
Dobbs, quite white and aghast, looked n,
"les ana hesitated. There was slight