Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-11-12


Pete made a Doo-iine for an alley
back Of an evening newspaper ONCE,
where observed him lose my stake
and bis uncle's loan In the varying
fortunes Of 'crusoe. played with un-
daunted courage but poor luck. con-
cuded. in the wisdom Of experience,
that could then afford to relax my
watch; that. II left alone. Peter would
soCM hunt me up.
"On my way down to the editorial
rooms after dinner. Peter waylaid me.
Me fadder broke his leg In do foundry.
he began, AN me muddcr sent me fer
de doctor, who said me ladders leg
could rot before he'd touch II less hu
had live plunks down ia advance--de
snoozer! So ! ups aud shoyes dc har-
ness wild me uncle, an, wild wot yer
staked me. raised de five; seep An
so I'm broke, bcin' good boy an
lovin' me mudder.'
Thereupon Peter wept plentifully.
being excited with his efforts OF imagi-
nation and lack OF dinner.
Then ! took my potential scoop to
a coffcc-house-n bun-joint IN his
slang-and fed him. Ia the honesty
begotten of full stomach aud con
tented mind. Pete contided to me that
he had mo faddcr. nor mudder. nor
brudder. nor nothn'. but lived in the
place of his side -pardner.n
''Pete's side-partner. he explained.
was Glasgow Jack, the keeper of n
slogging den--a kind Of place. Tommy
which hourished in this community
before the promotion of sloggiug was
made the vocation of the male two
hundred.
Glasgow Jacks, being an all-night
place, was frequented In the early
hours of the morning by men who. hav-
ing the drear prospect of another day
close at hand, sought to ameliorate
their conditions by that forgetfulness
which comes from an early glance at a
morning paper.
Pete, in exchange for the privilege
of sleeping on the mattress used for
wrestling matches. brought the earliest
papers to Glasgow Jacks. thereby
holding Jacks customers to tho profit
of the bar. 1t seemed fair bargain.
as Pete explained il, but the chances
for a scoop were not improving.
ITO make sure of my game. agreed
with Pete to stake him In the press
room as soon as the paper was OF, and
we parted.
That night | went down to the
press-room on the elevator with the
last plate, and there was Pete fighting
with science and success to maintain
his place at the head of the line OF
waiting newsboys all anxious TO get
bundles for the all-night places, where
two bits is often picked up for an early
paper.
1T was too dark to follow Pete. so
told him had notion to meet his
'sde-pardner, and hurried along with
him to Glasgow Jacks.
1T was the usual place-you re-
member the type, DunniP A base
ment square ring in one end; some
dunb-bells and Indian clubs scattered
about; a pool table. with leaden
cushions; a half dozen beery card
tables bar. aud IA patronage OF pugs,
low FOUNDERS, and dreamy young men
who fancied they were seeing life by
poisoning it.
'Pete's advent woke up the place.
My very considerable knowledge of
what the paper contained II had
watched the make-up-had given me
no impression that all our news per-
tanned to tights and ligh,ers. racers and
racing, murders and nurderers. The
crowd there found nothing else in the
paper aud was soon expressing its in
terest in those phases of life by animat- |
ed discussions of them over the most
unthinkabe whisky. took n glass of |
it with Glasgow Jack. who treated me
with that considernte-shall say fra
ternalP-kindness our profession ever
receives from his.
Jack laughed when / asked him |
about Pete. I'm kinder stuck on der
kid said Jack; 'derc's no flies on i'm. |
an I'm goin' to do der right thing by
him. | was thinkin' 1t would be der
proper game to give der kid some
schoolin'. He kinder takes to literary |
poipers and that. I'm
doin' pretty well. an ant got nobody |
wild "A string on me sack; so | was
mebbe | could send der kid to
one of der schools in der country. |
where he'd get away from dis gang
and brace mp little. aud be lawyer.
or somethin'. He's kinder got ter me.
ye see aud Pm sorter soft on der kid
81 knew Glasgow Jack to be the
character in the city, but Just
the way all the villainy went out OF his
wicked eyes whep he spoke of Pete has
secured him graceful cptaph--if !
have the pleasure Of knowing Of his
death.
"There must have been somc very
exciting sporting news that night, for
the crowd became noisy aud drunk in
discussing it.
1T was such a nasty outfit that
should have left before Pete returned.
but | had resolved To see him through
one day. When he did return, his
papers all sold. Jack motionod him to
come ovsr To us. but couple Of mcn at
an adjoining table stepped the boy and
one of them oflerod him drink of
whisky Jack called out: Let 20,
nowl You know / don't want Pete of
fered any drink.
The man laughed in an ugly way.
aud replied: You are getting too
pious, Jack. II the kids yours why
50 funny about him The man, by
quick grip. Opeueu Ieic mOuth anu
threw some whisky in it.
Jack sprang at him aud hit him be-
fore be could rise. The mans pistol
was whipped ont. and he pulled with
dead drop on Jack; but just as he
pulled Pete jumped in between them
aud took the ball in his head.
Every one was silent and notion
less for several seconds as Jack caught
poor little Pete and laid him down.
with woman's gentleness. on the saw
dust floor.
Suddenly. with lightning swiftness,
Jack pulled and shot. The man fell
backward; Jack stood over the body.
and with horrible calmness emptied
the revolver into the mans face.
Il was kneeling by Pete's side when
bis eyes opened. He whispered somo-
hing. and put my ear 10 his lips
When yer write il up. he murmured.
be sure an say me side-pardner never
pulled his gun Til after de odder feller
lad dc drop on 'im."-E. w. 7ol0R-