Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-09-11

It's contents. AS he had surmised, it |
contained full suit G. clothing of the
better sort and suitable to his urban |
needs. There were few articles of
jewelry, which he put religiously
aside. There were some letters which
seemed to be of purely business
character There were a few da-
guerreotypes of pretty faces, one of
which was singularly fascinating TO
him. But there was another of
young man, which startled him with
In flash of intelligence he understood
it all now. 1t was the likeness of the
former owner of the trunk, for whom
the assistant had actually mistaken
him. He glanced hurriedly at the en-
velopes of the letters. They were adj
dressed to Shelby Fowler, the name by
which the assistant had just called
him. The mystery was plain now.
And for the present he could fairly ac-
cept his good luck and trust to later
fortune to justify himself.
Transformed in his new garb he left
his lodgings to present himself once
more to his possible employer. His
way led past one of the large gambling
saloons 1t was yet too early to find
the dry goods dealer disengaged; per-
haps the consciousness of more decent
civilized garb emboldened him to
mingle more freely with strangers and
he entered the saloon. He was scarce
ly abreast of one of the faro tables
when man suddenly leaped up with
an oath and discharged revolver full
in his face. The shot missed. Before
his unknown assailant could fire again
the astonished Flint had closed with
him and instinctively clutched the
weapon.
A brief but violent struggle ensued.
Flint felt his strength failing him,
when suddenly look of establishment
came into the furious eyes of his ad-
versary, and the mans grasp mechan.
ically relaxed. The half-freed pistol,
thrown upward by this movement,
was accidentally discharged point
blank into his temple and he fell dead.
No one in the crowd had stirred or in
terfered
You've done for French Pete this
time, Mr.. Fowler" said voice at his
elbow. He turned gaspingly and rec
ognized his strange benefactor, Flynn.
81 call you all to witness, gentlemen"
continued the gambler, turning dicta-
torily to the crowd, that this man
was first attacked and was unarmed. :"
He lifted Flint's limp and empty
hands and then pointed to the dead
man who was still grasping the weap-
on. "Come" He caught the half par
alyzed arm of Flint and dragged him
into the street.
"But," stammered the Mortified Flint
as he was borne along, what does it
all meanP What made that man attack
me?"
II reckon 1t was a case of shooting
on sight, Mr.. Fowler; but he missed it
by not waiting to see if you were
armed. 1t wasn't the square thing,
and you're all right with the crowd
now, whatever he might have had agin
you"
But" protested the unhappy Flint,
~ never laid eyes on the man before,
and my name isn't Fowler"
Flynn halted and dragged him in a
doorway. "Who the dickens are you?''
he asked, roughly.
Briefly, passionately, almost hyster-
ically, Flint told him his scant story.
An odd expression came over the gam
blers face.
r "Look here" he said, abruptly, 81
have passed the word to the crowd yon-
der that you are a dead-br miner
called Fowler. / allowed that you
might have had some row with that
Sydney duck, Australian Pete, in the
mines. That satisfied them. If | &C
back now and say it's a lie, that your
name amt Fowler, and you never knew
who Pete was, they'll just pass you
over to the police to deal with YOU and
wash their hands of it altogether
} You may prove to the police who you
are and how that clerk mistook you
but it will give you trouble. And who
are there here who knows who vol
really are?"
mo one," said Flint, with sudder
hopelessness.
And you say you're an orphan ant
amt got any relation livin' that you're
beholden TOP"
''No one"
"Then take my advice and be Fowler
, and stick to it. Be Fowler until Fowler
| lya e., g.,
( you've saved Fowler's life, as Pett
, would never have funked and lost hi
grit over Fowler as he did with you
: and you've right to his name"
\ He stopped, and the same odd, super
t stitious look came into his dark eyes.
Don't you see what all that means
Well I'll tell you. You're in the big
| gest streak of luck a man ever had
S You've got the cards in your owl
: hands. They spell Fowler Pla.
1 Fowler first, last and all the time
= Good night and good luck, Mr.. Fow
< ler."
1 The next mornings journal contained
e an account of the justifable killing o
r the notorious desperate and ex- convict
1 Australian Pete, by a courageous ounI
e miner by the name of Fowler. 'Al
g act of firmness and daring" said tn
Pioneer (which will go far to coun
e teract the terrorism produced by thos
0 lawless ruffians,"
: In his new suit of clothes and wit
: this paper in his hand Flint sought tn
e dry-goods proprietor. The latter wa
: satisfied and convinced. That morning
: Harry Flint began his career as sales
o man and as shelby Fowler"
: From that day Shelby Fowler
n career was one of uninterrupted pros
n perity. Within the year he became
h partner. The same miraculous forum
!, followed other ventures later. He wa
( mill-owner, mine-owner, bank directo