The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-10

- g.-/ ebA wiiu,r gaze WAS "ii,c'eu
E#p up the uniet street, II
was evident that something interesting enough
20 keep The yolublc sam pet,Es silent was
about to happen.
Al ieurth one man broke The monoiony by
drawing from his pocket huge open faced
silver watch. which be consulted for moment
and then remarked Seven O'Clock. Shes
goin' 10 be al hour late anyway Tonight suTes
death"
Ii was Bob Draper, the proprietor Of the
hotel who had spoken. lie replaced the large
watch Ia his pocket aud moved few steps
away from the loiterers. with an alr oi lmpor-
lance that bad gradually grown with his pros
nerity in business
She piucmlly gifts here bout six, don't she,
Rot2" asked a bilious ylsaEed man OF small
stature and limited intelligence.
Now that's durn pritty question TO asst
Mr. Draper" exclaimed another man, who was
slightly under the influence Of liquor. halnt
you lived in This town long enough 90 know
when the stage gifts IN, You hal-baked
sno0zcr3
wasn't talkin' to yer, Luke Myers, an ]
wish you'd have perlitoness 10 mind yer own
business
"Oh. ye do do YEP" retorted the tpsy man
with a malcvolont leer.
hope Redmond and Myers will have il
out observed sam Peters 90 the landlord.
[" You know Bob them two has Ill each other
every Fourth OF July ever sencc can rcmem-
Der"
Yes" replied the landlord: but Luke is
the best man. Tad Redmond haIut got no
business with Luke when Luke Is sober
That's so agreed Sam, with bis usual def
ereuce 10 the landlords Judgment Mean
while Tad Redmond and Luke Myers had
ciinched and stood n the porteuiuus attitude Of
an encounter. AtHuy other hour OF the day than
this fight in front Of bis hotel would have heeu
cordially encouraged By Bob Draper These
broils always brought a delighted crowd of
spectators in such close proximity 10 his bar
that most Of them could not resist the tempia-
ton 70 patronize IT, But now the overdue
stage was liable 90 be seen 20 amy moment roll
ing down the village street lie knew tbH. II
there happened Cd he amy strangers among the
passengers, TINS maudlin scene, instead OF pre-
possessing tbcm IN favor of Cactus Bar, would,
in the majority 81 cases, drive them away from
il rs soon possible.
As the two men became moro and more en-
ragged, and rained staggering blows upon each
others bloody faces, MT. Draper eyinced great
uneasncss, and he inp0rcd them in vain TO
finish the struggle elsewhere. They were dis
EIacing bis house bcsidrs, the Baptist minister
oil Cactus Bar was expected home from has sum
mer vacation that very night, aud what on
earth wouldn't be say about the row on the fol-
lowing sabbathg
But Mr. Diapers words proved Of no avail
whatever III is doubtful IL amy OF the hystand-
ers even cOmprchrBded their purPort The
landlord, however, WAS not left long ID sus-
peuse.
Soon up the street there arose a curtain Of
aust that hcrded the approach Of The rocking,
cresiling coach. Ia perfect frenzy 0i excite
rAent Draper shouted: The stage! The
stage"
Instantly the loitcrcrs unclaimed their atton-
ti0n from the Uunillsts aud fixed their eyes
unon the now visible coach, the sound % whose
Tumblup wheels came nearer and louder As
though half the induCement 10 fight was lost
when the attention Of the spectators became
Withdrawn from them, Tad Redmond aud
Luke Myers mutually rested from their com
bat agreeing to resume IL after the stage had
passed on. -Four horses dripping with foam
aud prrspiTRtion came prancing down the
street aud were adT0itly brought 10 q stand
still BY Bill sop-r. the acknowledged king Of
stage drivers OF that section.
Everyone observed that only one passenger
slighted from the coach, aud he was not th,
Baptist minister who bad been expected home
BE was no other than Maj. Thompson, or, d
give his name in full, Maj. Thomas Iumbul
Thompson, ~. 81 A., retired. This dis'in,
Cushed looking parsonage with large light
blue eyes, silyered hair and lorid cOuutenance
stepped ont Of the ancient vehicle, and giving
Bill a tp and aud Jolly wink 40 the same
time turned toward the hotel.
AT this moment Mr. Draper iutrodUcud him
sell as the host and inquired d the gentleman
would like a hot bear steak aud some mic,
buckWlrat callrs-thc fis, Of tHc season
Yes" said the Major "Gct me up good
meal Mr. Landlord. ] don't mind confess ~
that ] am hungry enough TO cat broiled Ia
diam"
Tic ioiterers now brgau % edge away toward
the baok yard in response % h0arse pr0cla
nation: Come, on boys Tad aud Luke ar
poin' ~ % aein"
The Major perceived that something was p
the wind aud asked, ANY excitement goinI
onT'
Only row between couple Of loalers,
answered Draper honestly. " Nothing tina
would interest you sir," Dc added, with a loo
OF semi-iuquiry az the distinguished arrival.
j am not 90 sure 0f that" protested ID
MHi6r. " Let me register aud then, while M
Gurner Il cooking, D will see for myself low IN
citizens 0i Cactus Bar amuse thomsc.Vcs.'
m afraid" observed the landlord, apOlC
cetieIly. rs be conducted his guest into "a
Office, that vou'li pet q poor Iini0u 0f ih
Etun QUA folks De- made Of hy them two 'rl .ows.
"Oh, dare say you have harder hiiters 8
thc place than they aIc replied the MAYO
with "a dr0lI smile, as he wrote his name ODD
long narrow account book that bore the digH
fed title OF register"
" Yes. we've plenty Of mon as can. DO bot
'om up and not half try" was tlIc landlord
assurance.
Alter ordering the Majors supper Draper n
turned, and reckoning lhe Major % follow hiH
started Tor theHreua. MoauWhiit Sam Peter
remaining after the crowd had repaired bcnIu
the hotel 10 crafty bis curiosity respecting %
strangers identity, bad taken a peep al a
register aud bad seen the name, written IN
bold band Of Mai. Thomas Tumbul Thorn
son.
Asa loyal citizen Of Cactus Bar Sam D.,
thought b bis duy 10 prccadc thc Major 10 q
scene 0i the FIGHT and inform The comhatan
that ihcy must not disgrace themselves by y
terng out, for there was to be witness 10 d
scrap who was professional" Every m;
present agreed that Luke and Tad should ,
their hgudsomost and give the military GENT
man 40 cause for disappointment. Thus i
EIiIcd the two men confronted each other wi
determined looks that could not be nisiutt
prctld
moment lator when The Major appears
round tie corner the fslt WIS in gigoro
progress Such blows neither 0r The Geht,
bad ever before given or received They frug
like sayagcs, and at tie end of two miuutes 1
sight became TOO revolving 10 be eutertaiui
o. Mag Thompson, who said boz irm yeic
stop gentleman Aon will ruin your ia
and your clothes. ] say let us call ia draw a
GIL 90 into thC hUtui aud drink 10 Tie health
Cactus Bar
TO This proposition there was not q dissc
ing voice. On the contrary, everybody srcu
20 be in perfect accord with H. The pugili
shook hands aud limpcd into the bar.TOs
couFfaiula,ing each 0thor upOn their siren,