The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-03-20
TARRYING WITH FLUIDS
BY JOHN STEPHENS.


Of the Grand Pacific Hotel. His neigh
bors, two gentlemen of strikingly hand
some appearance, made themselves par
ticularly agreeable. A waiter brought a
telegram addressed to James Drummond,
the address on which he read in an audi
BILE voice. The two gentlemen exchanged
significant glances.
One of them, Col. Lamont, large
portly man with a fund of anecdote 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
times 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 askeda question or
made a remark they listened with respect
full attention. He came to the conclusion
that they were by long odds the most
pleasant and well-bred gentlemen he had
met since his arrival in the West.
After IA cigar in the Office a game OF
cards 10 pass away the time was suggesie ed
by the Colonel TO which proposition
Drummond readily acceded.
1t was n pleasant game, and after few
hours amusement Mr.. Burrows pulled out
his watch and remarked:
Colonel, business before pleasure. You
know we me to be up early tomorrow to
meet William on at the stock yards and
close that deal.
yes, had forgotten about that. Mr.
Drummond, We shall be pleased to meet
9th txha hav
early engagement IN the morning, but
you will have 10 excuse u now, and give
us our revenge Mt some other time.
Drummond retired with his winnings,
which were not very extensive, and lefl his
card-table companions eogitatiug evil
IDENTIFY over some important matter OF
business.
Colonel, think, by the looks of things,
that the 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.
. have got it at my finger ends-can do
il every time, he exclaimed.
Yes, was the response from his COM
panion, you are all right if you keep
sober; but you make most bungling mess
OF it when you indulge in liquor.
The Colonel tilted his cigar and ex-
claimed, Now, Charlie, give us a rest
on lecturing. Didn't L tell you he was
the man? You saw by the telegram that
his name was James Drummond. He is
the cattle-king of Montana and takes a
pride in his prowess at the card table.
Few of the men in the Rockies, 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 college degree
that~will cost-well. considerable.
There is one thing that struck me as
unaccountable, said Burrows, that
when we got into discussion on cattle,
mentioned the stock-y yards, and the deal
we were having on hand, ne took but
little notice and conducted himself like a
man who was in no wise interested"
There he showed his shrewdness, said
the Colonel. You don't think he was
going 10 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 a beau
tiful girl of about ten came bounding in
and threw herself into his arms.
"Oh, papa!" she exclaimed, breathlessly,
Mrs Randolph has asked me to 90 to the
matinee tomorrow afternoon. May go?"
Yes, you may, but don't let your fool
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
tana."
Our ranch in Montana" exclaimed the
girl, in establishment.
Charlie, said the Colonel, in a 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 no
notice of the Colonel's 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. If
Mrs. Randolph asks you any questions
about me, say that your father is a large
dealer in cattle, and what / tell you is SO,
because L say it's So"
The girl looked incredulous, but kissing
her papa goodnight, said, artlessfy:
Il don't recollect, papa, of being on
ranch but / know i was there because
dear, kind old papa knows best where l
was long ngo."
After she was gone the two men put on
their overcoats and left the hotel 10y the
jackson street entrance.
Next evening at dinner Drummond
found himself in the company of the in
teresting companions of the previous even
ing, and, after cigars, accompanied them
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
tunately a waiter brouehta telegram which
required his immediate presence at the
Sherman House on q matter of business.
He arose, and explaining thlt he could
not afford himself the pleasure of spending
O longer time in such agreeable company,
but promising TO take his revenge next
evening, bowed h mself out.
"Deuced unlucky," growled the Colonel.
~I was in the best possible shape and
could deal out anv hand to order could
see he was gett; g hot at osing and 1 was
on the point Of proposing in careless way
10 double the stakes.
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