The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-03-11

come, graDDeu MN DV the aiui anu
rushed him off TO the bar, even before
Mrs Minion could salute this old-tlme
friend OF the family. The timbers OF the
waves from under the wheel house
splashed against the bank aud rolled over
the driitwood, and the Stella was on her
wsy to New Orleans, leaving long, fast
receding ripple in her wake.
In the early hour OF the evening sleep
was an unwilling visitor on that boat.
The heat, after the sun had gone down,
was even more intolerable, for it was OPP
pressive, and when the shadows OF the
forest monarch are long on the river the
mosquito begins his long and close vigil.
1t was necessary to pass more time away,
and the green cloth was again surrounded
bv these indomtable knights of the great
American game A lively waltz, the JOINT
outpouring of cadenceS from a piano and
u fiddle, set a few daring couples 10
dancing Others promenaded on the deck
or vainly attempted TO read. Capt. MiniOn
and Col. Warner were almost inseparabe.
The pleasure they derived in each other
company led them 10 imOibe freely, and
johnny, the sprightlv and well-dressed
bartender, had compounded. cocktails,
punches and other decoctions IN the close
little room until he fairly grOaned his col
lar hung limp on his shirt bosom and
Precipitation and CRIME had well disguised
his conventional smile. Toward mid
night the colonel and the captain grew
extremely confidential, and when the
watches were changed they bad become
boisterous. The poker game had settled
down to q quiet, determined circle and
the stakes ran high.
capt. Minion, if YOU say the Simpsons
were in that cotton steal, you lie, sir
There was abrupt silence In the cabin,
and the gamesters looked at one another
with almost blanched faces. This was l
challenge. the import OF which they knew
only too well.
The quarreling men were on the outside
but their words were distinctly heard.
Two OF the players jumped up and rushed
TO the door it was too late. 4 lie had
been passed: there was crash, heavy
fall against the light framework, and in
a second-a pistol shot. The poker game
was unceremoniously broken up, chairs
were tumbled over, half frantic women
rushed from their staterooms, and terri
BILE scene OF confusion reigned.
Col. Warner was brought into the Office
and laid ont on the floor. lie lived Il
few moments without uttering a word
and then died His slayer, with scowl
on bis face, his cap pulled sulklly over
his brow, skunk into the cabin and brushed
ress the crowd around the fallen man.
Few of the light-hearted people on the
boat were asleep that night, aud the pink,
rusv ligh. creeping into the eastern sky,
was more than welcome 10 the few men
who stood lonely watch over the body
of Col. Warner. Mrs. Minion and her
lovely daughter were heart-broken.
The law, 30 lax in these cases, allowed
this aifrav to pass unheeded. Another
captain soon commanded the Stella, and
Capt. Minion retired from the river.
A railroad and saw-mill can do more
toward building n substantial town site in
All Arkansas swamp than any other two
agencies. People are 10th 10 settle In an
undevelOped country, but when the first
signs OF industry appear colony Will soon
follow. In year the swamp about Capt.
Minion's store took on a new lie. lie
stranger, who had come to the place pros
pec.ing, again returned toward the close
OF the following summer. His actions
were curiously watched. but on this coca
sion he made acQuaintances among the
few men Whereabouts, am satisfied them
that his mission was 70 improve tlie 70
cality. lie called ut Minions store on
several occasions, made a few purchases
anu chatted pleasantly with the old man.
In an Ofi-hand way he gave his name as
Warner. and said that he would soon have
a force OF men putting up a mill and max
ing n clearing. His promise was made
GOOD. and in the autumn the buzz of the
circular saw disturbed the quiet OF the
dismal place. A gang OF negroes built
little shsnties for themselves and Capt.
Minion saw his business increasing in
good proportion. II was meet that the
surroundings should be dignified with a
name, and straightway the place went
down on the map US Minion. Not few
more pretentious houses went up, as ali
aftermath of the saw mill boom.
Sam Warner was pushing young fell
low. and seemed To have the knack Of
controlling his hands and getting the tim
Ter to market promptly. As the hero OF
tale, be naturally is supposed TO be
handsome Perhaps the se!lOw complex
ion destroyed the effects OF his regular
features, Tor there was an open, pleasing
expression on his lace, despite the slckly
hue. Then Mollie was a tawnv woman,
but Size was not homcly. Bothersome at
tacks OF chill and fever and the slight
tinge of malaria would bring Apollo down.
Among the inhabitants of q swamp beau
tiful faces are beautiful by outline.
Sometimes Warner came TO the store in
the evening, and smoked pipe among
the cluster Of idlers. Capt. Minion
was a comyenionable man, but the
two men seldom preached other than
business matters. or else gossiped
about minor affairs OF the neighborhOOd.
Warmers antecedents were never brought
into question. 1t was generally known
that he came from somewhere up the
country" and evidently was in fairly
wellto-do circumstances. Mollie and
Warner were good friends, and alter few
montns' mountaineering ne began to
paw her marked attention. George Brews-
ter was devoted to the young woman, but
his suit was indifierently received. The
Young planter, an honest fellow, was IN no
way abashed, and doggedly continued to
follow in the wake OF the storekeeper's
daughter. Mrs. Minion sympathized with
the earnest lover, but she knew 1t was
useless to urge upon her daughter re-
pugnant course. Her husband apparently
remained unconcerned. yet his relations
with the newcomer were not as cordial as
they were wont 10 be. Mollie and Warner
were frequently alone together.
One Sunday afternoon they strolled up
the road leading over the ridge and did
not return until the sun was low. They
stood in front OF the store long time and
talked and talked. He told her the old
story and she believed him. lie went over
a review Of his life before he had reached