Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-04-26
TARRYING WITH FLUIDS
By JOHN gTEPHENs.

James Drummond sat at the dining-tab1e
of the Grand Pacific Hotel. His neigh
bOrs, two gentlemen of strikingly hand
some appearance, made themselves par
ticuIarIy agreeable. A waiter brought a
telegram addressed to James DrummOnd,
the address on which he read in an audi
bic voice. The two gentlemen exchanged
significant glances.
One Of them, Col. Lamont, a large
pOrtly man with a fund Of aneedote and
an unctuOus laugh, renewed his attentions
to Mr.. DrummOnd, at whose jokes he gave
the ready compliment of the laugh.
The other guest at the table was Charles
Burrows, tall, thin, and refined, with a
pleasant smile, though into his eyes at
dimes would come a hungry, keen look
that was not altogether pleasant.
Both gentlemen were evidently old
friends, and judging by their conversation
were capitalists who had many dealings
together in cattle and real estate.
Whenever DrummOnd asked a question or
made a remark they listened with respect
that they were by long odds the most
pleasant and we'll bred gentlemen he had
met since his arrival in the West.
After a cigar in the Office a game of
cards to pass away the time was suggested
by the Colonel, to which proposition
DrummOnd readily acceded.
1t was pleasant game, and after a lew
his watch and remarked:
Colonel, business before pleasure. You
know We are to be up early tomorrow to
meet Williamson at the stock yards and
close that deal"
~ es, I had forgotten about that. Mr.
Drummond, we shall be pleased to meet
you some other evening, when we have no
early engagement in the morning, but
you will have to excuse Us now, and give
as our revenge at some other time.
Drummond retired with his winnings,
which were not very extensive, and left his
card-table companions cOgltat1ng evil
IDENTIFY over some important matter OF
business.
Colonel, I think, by the looks of things,
that he game is working to perfection. "
Yes, Charlie, and that was a good
move Of yours to dismiss him early.
Business before pleasure, you know.
At this recollection the Colonel gave a
hearty laugh, and, lighting a cigar, pro
ceeded to deal from the pack Of cards.
Il have got it at my finger ends-ean do
It every time, " he exclaimed.
~ as, was the response from his COM
panion, you are all right If you keep
sobe but you make most bungling mess
of it when you indulge in liquor.
The Colonel tilted his cigar and eZ-
claimed, Now, Charlie, give US a rest
on lecturing. Didn't I tell you he was
the man? You saw by the telegram that
his name was James OTulnluOuGs ne I'D
the cattle-king Of Montana and takes a
pride in MS prowess at the card table.
Few of the men in the Rockies, 1 am told,
can get away with him. But it's my Opin-
ion that with your aid, my dear Charlie,
we Will show him the higher mathematics
of poker and give him a college degree
that will cost-Well, considerable.
II ere is one thing that struck me as
unaccountable, said Burrows, that
when we got into a discussion on cattle,
mentioned the stOck-yards, and the deal
we were having on hand, he took but
little notice and conducted himself like q
man who was in no wise interested.
There b 10 showed his shrewdness," said
the Colonel. You don't think he was
going to enter into any discussion with US
when he supposed by our conversation
that We were in the same trade. These
cattlemen are not in the habit of giving
their business away.
Here a tap was heard on the door, and
in response to the cheerful come in" Of
Mr.. Burrows the door opened and beau
tiful girl of about ten came bounding In
and threw herself into his arms.
"Oh, papal" she exclaimed, breathlessly,
Mrs Randolph has asked me to go to the
matinee tomorrow afternoon. May go?'
Yes, you may, but don't let your OOl-
ish little tongue run away with your good
sense and you mustn't let late hours and
dissipation take the bloom off your cheek
which you acquired on our ranch in Mon
tenn-
"Our ranch in Montana!" exclaimed the
girl In establishment.
Charlie, said the Colonel, in q dis
gusted tone, that game won't work
There Is too much truth in those eyes.
You were too young, my dear, to re-
member, continued Burrows, taking nc
notice of the COlOnels remOnstrance, ~but
you had many happy days In the far West
on our ranch, where the cattle, like those
of Scripture, were on thousand hills. il
Mrs. Randolph asks you any questions
about me, say that your father is q large
dealer in cattle, and what tell you is So
because I say it's SO.
The girl looked incredulous, but kissing
her papa goodnight said, artlessly:
/ don't recOilect, papa, of being on a
ranch. but I know I was there because
dear, kind old papa knows best where
was long ago.
After she was gone the two men put OF
their overcoats and left the hotel by the
Jackson street entrance.
Next evening at dinner DrummOnC
found himself in the company Of the In
teresting companions Of the previous even
ing, and, after cigars, accompanied then
to their rooms.
The game was little more interesting
to him, and about nine o'clock he found
himself about $3.50 out of pocket, but for
LUA&tS1y u "aAt0A DAC a I1Li4 " LIZ
required his immediate presence at thu
Sherman House on matter of business
He arose, and explaining that he cOulC
not afford himself the pleasure Of spending
q longer time in such agreeable company
but promising to take his revenge mex
evening, bowed himself out.
"DeGced unlucky," grOwled the Colonel
Il was IN the best possible shape AM
could deal out any hand to order. 1 cOul
see he was getting hot at losing, and 1 wa
on the point OF proposing in careless wa
10 double the stakes.
We have got him fast, responde