The Opelousas courier., 1891-07-18

But, as that there yailse Is DouSnt auu
paid for by somebody else and given to
you, it's nothing more to me. Take OF
leave it,
The righteousness of quarrelling oyel
the mere fact of a good fortune here
struck Flint, and as his abrupt benefac-
tor had as abruptly disappeared, he
hurried eff with his prize. Reaching his
cheap lodging house he examined its
contents. AS he had surmised, it con-
tanned a full suit of clothing of the bet.
ter sort, and suitable to his urban needs.
There were a few articles Of iewelry
which he put religiously aside. There
were some letters which seemed to be OF
q purely business character. There were
a few daguerreotypes of pretty face, one
of which was singularly fascinating to
him. But there was another of a young
man that startled him with its marvellous
resemblance to himself. II might have
been his own portrait. In a flash of in
telligence 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 hur-
riedly at the envelope of the letters.
They were addressed to Shelby Fowler
the name by which the assistant had just
called him. The mystery was plain now,
but for the present he could fairly accept
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.
It was yet too early to find the dry-goods
trader disengaged. Perhaps the con-
sciousness of more decen5 civilized garb
emboldened him to mingle more freely
with strangers, and he entered the sa-
loon. He was scarcely abreast of n of
the faro tables when a man suddenly
leaped up with an oath and discharged a
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 a
look of astonlshmant came into the
furious eyes of his adversary and the
mans grasp mechanically relaxed. The
half freed pistol, thrown upward by this
movement, was accidentally discharged
point blank into his temples and he fell
dead. No one in the crowd had stirred
interfered.
"You've done for French Pete this
time, MI. Fowler" said a voice at his
He turned gaspingly and re-
cognized his strange ~benefactor, Flynn.
II call you all to witness, gentlemen"
continued the gambler, turning dicta-
torily to the crowd, s.that this man was
first attacked and was unarmed." He
lifted Flint's limp and empty hands, and
pointed to the dead man who was
still grasping the weapon. "Comel' He
the half-paralyzed arm of Flint
and dragged him into the street.
But" stammered the Mortified Flint
as he was borne along, sswhat does it all
meant What made that man attack
Il reckon 1t was a case of Shooting
on sight Mr.. Fowler; but he missed it
BY not waiting to see if you were armed.
It wasn't the square thing, and you're all
right with the crowd now, whatever he
may have had agin you"
"But, protested the unhappy Flint,
81 never laid eyes on the man before
and-my name isn't Fowler" |
Flynn halted and dragged him in a
doorway. aWho are you2" he asked
Briefly, passionately, almost hysteri-
ally, Flint told him his scant story. An
i'd expression came over the gamblers
ace. "Look here he said abruptly, /
& have passed my word to the crowd
Tonder that you are a dead broke miner
allied Fowler. | allowed you might
lave had some row with that Sgd
duck, Australian Pete, over there in
Australia. That satisfied them. If I go
Jack now and say it's a lie-that your
lame amt Fowler, and you never knew
Who Pete Was-theyM jest pass you over
Q the police to deal with you, and wash
heir hands Of it altogether. You may
to the police who you are, and how
hat clerk mistook you. Butt it will give
gu trouble. And who is there here who
who you really are7'
mo one, y said Flint, with sudden
lopelessness.
ssAnd you say you're an orphan, and
int got any relations Twin that you're
'eholdin' to2n
mo one"
aThen take my advice and be Fowler,
nd stick to It'll Be Fowler until Fowler
urns up, and thanks you for it. For
We saved Fowler's life, as Pete would
have funked and lost his grit over
as he did with you, and you've
right TO bis name.n
He stopped, and the same odd, SUPER
look came into his dark eyes.
Don't you see what all this means2
Yell, I'll tell you. You're in the biggest
of luck a man eve hadl You've
OF the cards in your own handsl They
pell 'FowlerP Play Fowler first, last
nd all the timel Good night and good
Fowler
The next mornings journal contained
n account of the justiiable killing of
he notorious desperate and e~x-convict
australian Pete, BY a courageous young
by the name of Fowler. tan act
{ firmness and daring, 'said the Pioneer,
which will go far to counterfeit the
srrorism produced by those lawless
In his new suit of clothes and
ith CHS naner in his hand Flint snflnht