The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-09-13

you don't feel sorter called to Trastlt
it out stead O. passin' in your checks|
There was tremor in his voice, which
the other was quick to note.
Not a burned wrastle,' said the
poet, falling back again, and letting
his two sheet of manuscript rustic tc
the floor. I'm played out, Jake
done fur Something'll bust in a day
or two and finish me off. I'd have
liked to see this yer chipmunk foolish
ness in print before l vamoosed the
ranch; but another night'll finish me
and l shan't get a chance of bein even
with that old Marysville chap. I'd die
easier if l could dip his head into his
own ink bar'l"
Jake gazed thoughtfully into the
fire with puzzled, simple eyes He
was a man who thought slowly, but
who always acted with commendable
promptness when he had once made UP
his mind.
II was over to Hutchinson's to-day,
he resumed, presently, and the doc
gave me some stuff for you. I'll fS
you up with a dose. and then you
| WIN w hhG oil Win GA4A viz AiACA LII
It's eleven o'clock now"
The poet looked at Jake curiously
you amt had sleep for week,
reckon, Jake"
Not being used to your COINS on,
Jake, naturally l amt had wink
When you gets to rearin' round an
breallin' blood vessels an seein angels
playin flutes in the distance, an calm
for your old woman when thar amt
no female, old or young, in this yere
shanty, it's only nat'ral there we're un
known parties'll expect some one tc
look after EN- when they gifts here"
AS he spoke he poured some medi
cine into an old era cked teacup and
held it to the sick youths lips. One
arm stole gently round the boy (he
was little more than a boy, who, with
CLEAN of mischief in his great eyes
put up a thin white hand to the
bronzed cheeks above him and gave
them a caressing rub.
Jake was manifestly discomposed by
this poetic exhibition of tenderness.
Quit yer foolin','' he said, huskily
IAN drink this yere mixture. It'll
keep yer quiet till mornin'."
The boy drank with difficulty, YES
Jake, l reckon it'll keep me quiet til
mornin'; that's about the time the
river leayes of. calm"
Jake affected not to hear this pes.
simistic remark. but talked on in wan
dering fashion until the boys fair
head fell back upon his arm. Then he
covered him up carefully, yelled the
light of the lamp with an old towel
and drew revolver from the shelf
The wind, as it blew beneath the
rude door of pine slabs. rustled the
papers about the floor. Jake picked
them up, bent over the boy to make
sure that the opiate had done its work
and crept cautiously into the darkness.
a low whinny OF delight greeted him
as he entered the narrow shanty which
served as a stable. Without striking
light he saddled his brown mare,
ed her into the trail and mounted.
Now, old lady" he said, you bet
you've got to hustle
The mare whinnied again and broke
into long, swinging gallop.
As she sped on through the darkness
Jake sat squarelv back in the saddle,
the reins hanging loosely, and only
stirring when splash of water from
the mares flying hoofs wet his checks.
A mistake on her part meant that
his brains would be dashed out
against the trunk of the nearest pine.
but he made no sign, only holding the
papers little tighter, when his mare
left the track.
After an hours hard galloping his
practised eye detected light in the
distance.
Gently, lass, gently, were almost
thar"
He drew rein on the outskirts OF
Marysville. and tied the mare to a pine
stump. Then he crept along to the one
tumble down hut in which there was a
light. and peered through the window
with a satisfied look.
Mr.. Watson H. Bangs (Mr. Bangs
comprised in his own person the ed
itor, staff, devil" printer. advertising
agent and proprietor of the Marysville
Gazette, was composing Saturdays
leader, assisted in his consumption OF
the midnight oil by bottle of whisky,
which occupied one end of table at
which he sat, Every now and then he
clipped long paragraphs from lex.
changes on bench at his side and
laboriously pasted them together.
Then he would march to the nearest
case, pick up the type from various
little boxes and throw it about with
all the rapidity of practiced Jug
gler.
Suddenly the door opened and Jake
entered, dripping from the storm.
Old Mr.. Bangs made for the drawer
of a distant table in which his revolv-
er lay hid. When he recognized his
visitor he abandoned all warlille inten-
tions, casting at the same time a re-
luctant glance at the whisky bottle, as
if uncertain how long it would hold
out against the newcomers attacks.
Jake slid into the editorial chair,
after carefully closing the door, and
old man Bangs, with reluctant nod
in the direction of the bottle, went on
with his task.
"Sit down, said Jake. briefly, point
ing to a chair, and declining the i'm.
piled invitation.
1 /