Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-12-23


on tiptoe and tried to peer over the
shoulders of those in front of them.
A large chandelier lighted the room.
but the point Of interest was concealed
by the throng.
The pressure soon became SO great
that | was crowded up against she
wall. More to save myself from su1fo-
cation than from curiosity. reached
up to the top of q door-caei ':,. put my
foot on the knob and was at once able
to elevate myself over all heads. and
look directly down upon the table.
The position was uncomfortable: but
was not compelled to keep it more than
ten minutes.
Two men sat at the table playing
cards. The one facing me recognized
at once as he who had been pointed
out to me by MIR Dorion as Conrad
Bostock.
The crowd overtoppcd them. hing
over them. hut they paid no attention
to anything but their game.
Piles of gold and notes were upon
the table could not see what the
game was or how it was being played:
but it was apparent that Bostock was
largely the winner The pile of money
in front of him steadily increased. and
the light sound of cards striking tine
table was now and then punctuated By
something like an oath from the other
player
that sounded like deep growl. and
drawing Il knife from his sleeve
pinned to the table the card that his
opponent had just played. And :"
quickly that the whole seemed to be
but single motion. he drew ro'
voivcr. cooked it and pointed IL at the
others head S~
The crowd fell back in fright: some
were thrown down and tramplcd under
foot. some were carried back against
the wall. and many who could fled
from the room The two gamblers So.
motionless.
"Tou wouldn't send man out oi
the world this way?" the one who was
threatened by the pistol said.
II ought to. You cheating scoundrel!
Sir" to a bystander. Just look at this
ace of diamonds that he played last.
Now look ut the trumps he's played
there. and see if there amt another OF
EN-
The man addressed ran over the
cards. and quietly threw ont another.
IL thought so: thought ! was
cheated. an hour back. hut ! couldn't
lay my finger on the spot till this min
ute. I'm going to take every dollar OF
that money. ban Turner. rake it in"
The revolver still covered Conrad
Bostock's head. The companion of the
man who held it proceeded to stuff his
pockets with great handfuls of the
gold and notes on the table until not
a dollar remained.
Now. I've done with You. You mis-
cradle. clumsy cheat the man with
the pistol said. Won ought to
be lynched. You're disgrace to
the company of all gentlemen: but"
Lynch him! Throw him into the
river! Drown him! Tie him fast to
nigger!" came shower of suggestions
from the crowd.
The object of their attentions turned
pale. had marveled to see his COM
posure when the muZZle of the re-
yolver was ut his forehead: but he
doubtless was thoroughly acquainted
with his own class. and knew that
there was no danger of more than
menace from that quarter. provided he
sat still and made no resistance. But
when those hostile cries were heard. he
realized his danger at once. lie was
among gamblers. sporting men. specu-
lators and adventurers: many of them
had been drinking freely: his offense
was something each man. by reason Of
his own mode of life. was prepared to
regard as a personal insult and injury.
And he probably knew. too. that no
wild beast of the forest or the wild Is
so cruel in it's rage as crowd of men.
No time was allowed him to think
about it. A rush was made for him;
dozen hands seized him: spite of his
struggles. cries and curses. he was
dragged along toward the gangway.
The captain came running down,
hearing the connection; and, seeing
the situation of affairs, began to inter
cedc for the endangered man.