Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-01-26
SHAKE RAG UNDER The HILL.
Continued from first page.)

ing on the evils of abstinence, occu-
pied prominent pulpit away back
in York state; and mine host, Jacky
Diggins, who could tell what he had
been? Maybe he didn't know him
self, or he had been almost every
thing that had no element of hard
work connected with it. He was
making money, now, which was
probably all he cared about, after all.
But even he was not making
money AZ fast as Mr. Bunce. The
dark, tall Mr.. Bunce light
fingered and very shrewd Mr.. Bunce
who made his living, and laid up
for rainy day, by manipulating a
certain set of 81 oblong pieces of
pasteboard, with spots or pictures on
one side, and-when he played
with various private marks on the
other, which had d significance for
ouly the Mr.. aforesaid, much to the
discontinue of those who we're I'M
fortunate enough to amuse them
selves in that way, in company with
him.
But he happened to be not the
only shrewd person in the room, for
az Joe and Sam stepped in at the
door, after having nearly nodded
their hats off 20 their numerous ac-
quaintances, he was disputing with
sailorly looking fellow, who had
objected to the private marks afore-
said. 1t was very small matter to
quarrel about-so very small, indeed,
that only the keen, practiced eye of
the sailor, schooled In many climes,
had detected them. There was
quite sum of money in the spot"
and though the gambler had shown
down the best hand, the sailor OBJ
! jected and claimed half on account
of the foul play.
"Somebody hold the stakes till
we settle this" cried the sailor. And
Jacky stepped forward, al ways ready
for a service in which he had the
handling of money, sweeping the
silver into his hat.
son, let's settle it peacibly! |
don't want any fuss with you. Take
your halt and give me nine. 1t
amt wort fighting about"
Jacky, very uuwlllinglY was
forced to di-gorge, much to his DIS
gust, reserviug enough, however, to
''set 'eu up" for the house. AL
though this aft lir had been settled
very quietly, yet the sentiment had
been against Bunce, who had been
under suspicion for some time, aud
this will explain the hatred mani
tested towards him in the affair that
| was to follow.
Joe was the next to make move,
which consisted in calling every
body up to drink, adding at the
same time:
Somebody over at the Giants
last night insulted young lady.
As you may know, she was my sis.
ter. suppose those who had a
hand in 1t will apologize. guess
you were drinking aud didn't know
what YOU were dOIng-but an apol-
ogy is in order, AS matter of
course"
The Giant, who was present, got
up from his chair, came over and
held out his ham-like hand, and
said:
"As it happened at my house, l
suppose should be the first. We
was All drunk, Joe, an didn't know
what We was doing. Shake!"
Every body who was at the Giants
on the previous evening, followed
his laudable example-each one
"settiug 'em up in succession, until
Joe, if he had not had the caution
t. lmbibe very little at each treat,
would not have known when it
came to the last, whether he was
drinking for an apology or apollo
glziug for a drink. There was one
who did not come up--Mr. Bunce,
who had no. yet recovered his TEN
per, and sat moodiIy in bis corner.
"You were there" said Joe, turn
ing to him, "and from what | under
stand was the worst of the lot. Come
up and drink"
81 don't drink"
"Have . smoke, then"
"Don't care TO smoke"
"WeIi then, apologize" exclaimed
joe auguly
bunce was silent, having risen to
hi feet, eylng lis opponent.
"lf You don't apologize, III make
| you" and Joe now thoroughly
aroused took off his coat aud made
for him.
No one sought TO interfere; fights
on the most trivial matters were the
order Of the day; and those on the
outside, appraised by the loud talk
OF what was happening, crowded
into the TO IN Al this instant the
. gambler made motion as if To draw