Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-11-22

Howard had asked his firm to remit
him there, explaining that he had been
robbed at Trinidad.
We were having an excellent trade,
both of US, and Howard was In excel
lent spirits, full of fun and good ma
ture, and I liked him better every day.
We reached Silverton on Thursday
morning. The mines were paying well
there, then, and we did a splendid
business, my former customer, krusch-
Ike, giving us each good order, besides
what we did with others. In fact,
where 1 sold bill, I never failed to
get an order for Howard also. The
mex. morning, Friday, we took the
stage for Ouray, via Red Mountain, q
small mining town on the summit OF
the range, but did not show our goods
there, as we would have had to remain
there an entire day, and with miserable
hotel accommodations. just before
leaving Sllverton, Kruschke had handed
me $3.50, on lis account, and instead OF
getting a draft, or not receiving 1t, L
had fOoIishly brought the money with
me: fact which 1 mentioned to How
ward as we were starting out
of Red Mountain. He only laughed,
and remarked that lightning seldom
struck twice in the same place; but l
felt uncomfortable, nevertheless, and
resolved to take no more such chances.
We reached Ouray about sunset, one OF
the most beautifully situated towns In
the universe and with as nice hotel,
and after supper 1 felt all right and
laughed at my uneasiness on the way
over. It was too late to do any business
that evening, but I thought 1 would
walk over to Fox Bros, the party to
whom I had sold on the previous trip,
and let them know l was there.
Will, the elder of the two brothers.
was a great euchre player, and he soon
bantered me for a game. Next door to
Fox's shoe store was a drug store, run
by DR.. Morse, man who had spent
several years in mining, and having laid
by considerable money, had resumed
his former business in the
East, that of druggist. He was
man of sterling integrity and highly
esteemed by all who knew him. He
had little room, or Office, nicely fitted
up in the rear of the store, and back of
the prescription case, where of an even
ing some of his friends often spent
pleasant hour with him at euchre or
whist. It was in there that Fox took
me, and after introducing me to the
doctor, we were soon interested in our
game, the doctor watching US the while,
when someone called his attention to
the front, and I heard very familiar
voice ask for chloroform, explaining
that he was subject to severe attacks of
cramp. and that nothing relieved him
so quickly; that he always carried it
with him. but had accidentally let his
bottle fall and break.
Unnoticed by him, looked round the
side of the prescription case and saw it
was Howard, as had thought from the
voice. My suspicious were aroused at
once, and for the first time. He knew that
had collected $3.50 at Silverton.
Was he going to rob me? Had he robbed
me at Trinidad?
IL sat down with Fox and resumed my
game, and after Howard had left the
store and the doctor had returned, I told
them of the affair at Trinidad, and my
suspicious. "Then you have been trav-
cling sometime with him?" said the
doctor; have you often heard him COM
plain of cramp?" I replied that had
never heard him mention it once.
WELL" said he, "let me make a sug-
gestion; do you have the same room to-
night ?" 1 replied that we had, that on
our arrival he had suggested we take
double room, and that we had been
assigned to No. II, large front room
overlooking the front street. Just
wait moment" said he, as he stepped
to the prescription case. He came back
presently with bottle in his hand and
handed it to me. There, said he, is
bottle exactly like the one gave your
friend, filled with harmless volatile
liquor with just enough chloroform to
give it odor. "Now," continued he,
you must, by some means, change
bottles with him and await develop
ments. If he is innocent, no harm is
done; if he is guilty-wen you'll find
it out if you are as wide awake as
think you are"
%GoodP exclaimed Fox and at the
same time.
We then babe the doctor good night, |
and went over to the hotel, where we
found Howard engaged in game of
billiards. Now" said Fox, would be
good time to change the bottles, if he |
has taken it to the ROOM" and |
SO up we went. His valise |
was locked, but under the circum-
stances we thought it proper to open it, |
if we could. had no key that would |
fit it, but fortunately Fox had, and in a |
trice We had changed the bottles and re-
locked the valise. Fox and 1 now went |
across to the store where, after smoking |
cigar, left him and returned to The !
hotel and found Howard waiting for !
me, and we went directly to bed. As
usual I placed my pocket-book in one
of my socks and slipped it under the
mattress, remarking to Howard, as 1 |
did so, that hoped the Trinidad bust
ness would not be repeated, as 1 had
neglected to leave my money at the |
store, as 1 did at Trinidad. He said he i
apprehended no danger, and as he was
already In bed, turned out the light |
and got in my own bed, but not to sleep, !
although feigned to, soundly. Several |
times l did almost go to sleep, in spite |
of everything 1 could do, and was be-
ginning to fear that I vould ba unable !