The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1892-07-18
CHAPTER IL.


During the two weeks following the
events recorded in the preceding chap
ter, the habitues of The Little Casino
noticed marked change il the habits
and demeanOr of its proprietor. His
whisky became so popular that drinkers
passed by other saloons and went
"arOund the corner to Jacks for a de-
cent drink" His faro game had even
in this brief fortnight earned the reputa-
ton of being the "squarest in Aspen, "
for Jack had registered a shOckingly
embellished oath to sell no more manu-
featured whisky, and to rest satisfied
with the natural percentage that must
come to the dealer in every banking
game.
His change of manner was even more
strongly commented upon. He exer-
cised his usual careful supervisor over
all the branches of his nefarious bust
ness; he was as courtly as ever IL his
treatment of patrons; he permitted min
ers and blacklegs to slap him Familiarity
on the back, without a shrug Of disap-
prevail; but with it all every one remark
ed serious change.
Some said he had developed taste
for religion, for a rumOr that he had
been seen coming out Of church, on at
least two occasions, gained much c1e-
dence in sporting circles. Others de-
clared him to be in love, for one of his
barkeepers had caught him in the very
e. & fRs day ee 5 sao1s t thy
change was first noticed.
Whichever it was, the fact remained
that he was no longer the devil-may-
care, happy go-lucky Jack BOwdoin they
had known for so many years. He SUBJ
stituted sacred music for johnny Get
Your Cum" on the little piano; he dis
charged one of his oldest employees,
after repeated warnings, for cheating at
"stud-poker;" he made mysterious pill
grimages to the hill beyond the brown
church, and, for several days in success
sion, was observed pacing the platform
Of the railway station upon the arrival
of every train.
1t was no use. The boys could not
penetrate his secret, follow him as they
would, and at last they decided to stand
by and await developments.
One evening he sat dealing faro when
a letter was handed to him. NervOusly
calling one of his dealers to occupy his
chair, he opened the letter, and shout
of delight rang through the room,
drowning the clatter of glasses. the
click of the chips" and the stunning
of the Professor" upon the piano.
BY lingo, she's come, she's come at
last! Look out for the game, Charley
If she loses more than's in the drawer
here's the key O. the safe. I'm off fur
the depot" And he rushed out of the
room, followed by at least a dozen of
the bystanders, who heaved signs of re-
lief at the prospect of probing the mys-
terry which for the past two weeks had
enveloped every movement of Jack
BOwdOin
Arriving at the depot the crowd dis
covered Jack in the midst of a hetero-
geneous mass of express matter, paying
attention to a huge packing
case, upon which his name was en-
blazoned in large letters.
Did yer find her, Jack?"
Halo! Follered me, did yer? Yes,
she's come"
where is she?"
Why, in this here box" And turning
to the teamsters, he insisted that the
case should be at once placed upon
truck, at the same time accelerating
their movements by liberal system of
tips.
She amt dead, is she, Jack?"
Dead! Who?"
The GAL"
The gal! Why, you Internal fool, it's
an Organ!'
There was a .nomentary lull of
mingled establishment and chagrin, then |
\ loud peal of laughter, and before the |
iozen or so of eavesdroppers could sum-
non sufficient courage to gain further |
Jack had mounted the |
sruck and was on the way up town with |
MS precious consignment.
The bulky packing case was trundled |
INTO the main hall of The Little Ca |
'ino, and when it was opened loud