Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-05-10

fIOIulScNl. anu VI SIjcCu1dIlO1S anu DdI-
gains in which less figures than a
hundred thousand dollars were never
named. The general tone, even in
business talk, seemed to be light, buoy
ant and confident Life seemed to be
going on, like the boat that carried us.
at high pressure.
Until ten o'clock did I occupy my
self in visiting every part of the
steamer, and observing the passengers
and their different tastes and occupa-
tions. In one of the large saloons
there was dancing and waltzing, to
the music of piano and violin On the
after deck a brass band was pouring
fourth stirring strains, and hundreds
of couples were promenading. The
moon had by this time risen, and the
spectacle of her flood of light on the
wide river was grand indeed Rats
and fiat-boats were passed, as we'll as
smaller freight-boats; and once the
steam-pipes of the Queen screamed
shriH in answer to the salute of large
steamer going up.
That's the Prentiss,' a man near me
said. ''Some day they'll happen to
come together, going the same way;
and then there'n be the biggest race
| this river ever saw. Both captains are
eager for it, and there'd be piles of
money bet on it. I'd hope to be there
that day
sIsn't it dangerous?" man from
Boston inquired.
Dangerous? Well, maybe, a little,
| but we never think of that down here.
| Steamboats, always have raced, and
I reckon they always will. 1 feel my
! self just this way about it-that if ]
owned one of these boats, and she
couldn't carry steam enough to beat
the other without bursting-why, then
| let her burst, and be id to her.
! ''But the passengers"
81 should say they'd better be at
home, that trip" I went forward and
found a large number greatly interested
in the performances of one of the negro
hands, who was dancing in grotesque
fashion to the drumming of banjo.
Then l went below, past the gilded
and mirrored mahogany bar-counters,
when half-a-dozen men in their shirt
sleeves were mixing fancy drinks for a
noisy and thirsty crowd. Around a
table in an adjoining saloon so many
were pressing that 1 could not see
what the attraction was. They stood
on tiptoe and tried to peer over the
shoulders of those in trent of them.
A large chandelier lighted the room,
but the point of interest was concealed
by the thfong. e
The pressure soon became so great
that I was crowded up against the
wall More to save myself from suffo-
cation than from curiosity, I reached
up to the top of a decreasing, 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 I
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 Mr.. Dorion as Conrad
Bostock.
The crowd overtopped them, hung
| over them, but they paid no attention
to anything but their game.
Piles of gold and notes were upon
the table. l 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 the
table was now and then punctuated by
something like an oath from the other
player.
Suddenly this man made noise
that sounded like g deep growl, and
drawing a knife from his sleeve
pinned to the table the card that his
opponent had just played. And sc
| quickly that the whole seemed to be
but single motion, he drew re-
volver, cooked it and pointed it at the
others head.
"You wouldn't send man out OF
| the world this way?'' the one who was
threatened by the pistol said.
81 ought to, you cheating scoundre1
Sir to bystander, ''just look at this
ace of diamonds that he played last.
Now look at the trumps he's played
there, and see if there amt another OF
! 'em."
The man addressed ran over the
cards, and quietly threw out another.
II thought so; I thought I was
cheated, an hour back, but 1 couldn't
lay my finger on the spot till this min
ute. I'm going to take every dollar OF
that money. Dan Turner, rake it in
The revolver still covered Conrad
Bostock's head. The companion of the
man who held it proceeded to stuff his