Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-04-05

several green covered tables, around
each of which were gathered miners,
merchants, teamsters, gamblers-in
fact contingent from almost every
class of men who frequentcd tie
lead mines. 1t was no new seer .
to Jack, and he stood by rather
listlessly watching the game while
his friend staked his money on the
"buried" card.
Everybody being intent on the
games, the entrance of Bunce by
the front door at this moment was
not noticed save by his enemy, for
Jack had come to stand in that
light, and the frown on the gam
bier's features showed how little
his presence was desired. Jack,
however, took no notice but CON
tinued to calmly watch the game,
and paid no heed to Bunce's ssr-
castle remarks about persons who
crowded the room and never played,
thereby taking up the places of
better men. Bunce here relieved
the dealer at the table near which
Jack was standing and began nae
thodically to shuttle the cards pre-
paratory to a new deal.
"Step back and give the men d
chance to play their money! he ex-
claimed to Jack, who flushed but
said nothing and continued to oocu-
py his place. "Do you hear me,
you fellow there? Step back; we
want no oilers herem
"Shut up! Don't call me fellow
Mind your game and let me alone"
was the angry reply.
"Maybe you'd like to take
chance. You might be lucky, and
win enough to buy silk dress for
the pretty little bird who lives with
you up the street,"
There was a general murmur of
disgust around the table at this,
for the men engaged at play, though
reckless and maybe dissolute, still
chung to their honor and respect
for the noble women who brayed
dangers and privations to make life
more endurable to the adventures
of that But the studied insult was
soon avenged, for without taking
time to 60 around, Jack leaped on
the table and before Bunce had
time to avail himself of his usual
means of defence, the pistol, he
was knocked out of his chair and
being kicked, showed, knocked and
slapped around the room, now up
and now down, never able to keep
his feet for more than an instant, by
the hands and feet of powerful and
indignant Jack Trumbull; no one
interfering to save the gambler
from the punishment he so richly
deserved. His last landing place,
which freed him FROM the bulfetings
of his assailant was the bottom Of
the dark and narrow staircase lead
ing to the bar-room below, into
which he emerged bleeding, batter
ed and dusty, to the great surprise
of the crowd who were still lost in
contemplation of Punch and Judy.
The outcome Of the affray thus far
was so satisfactory, and his sudden
headlong entrance so ludicrous, as
If 1t were part Of the play, that
we wish we could state that the diff
fculty ended right here.
1t had ended so far as Jacks in
clination was concerned, for he was
standing near the front door in the
gaming room preparatory to going
out, after receiving the commenda-
tory remarks of the crowd. But up
the narrow stairway was stealing
tiend on his errand Of death; the
face usually 80 composed-could
eye have seen-was distorted with
the deadliest rage, and in his hand
was the messenger that was to carry
the death anguish to a noble breast.
Standing at the door, hand on latch,
stood the victim, smile on his face
as he listened to his friends pras-
ing voice, and glad feeling at his
heart that be had defended her fair
name. There was a hash-a report
like CLEAN the smile had fed
and the glad feeling had changed
to nothingness. He had fallen, and
amid the CONSERVATION and turmoil
which at once followed the shot,
they raised him gently, tore back
his clothes, while from his mouth
and a pitiful wound in the broad
and br2wny chest the blood was
flowing.
ITO be continued