The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-03-01

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CHAPTER XI-(Contcinuea.)
At least score Of men-laxy, drunk
en- loungers about public-houses-were
around him and laughing and encour-
aging him with their cries and with the
clapping Of their hands.
As Noel looked into the room his nee
essary hut dlsrepMtable acquaintance
was holding In his hand EGO note,
which he was waving above the heads
Of the people surrounding the table on
to which they had hoisted him.
Widely were all eyes opened, greedy
were the looks fixed on that bank note;
and not q man of them whose fingers
were not twitching with eagerness to
clutch It.
Gentlemen" Nicksey was shouting,
''drink az much As you want, and a.
u JssSs
come into my property, and shan't con.
descend to accept any change from TINS
dimsy; all Of 1t has to be swallowed,
80 set to work, gentlemenw
Shouts of applause rewarded MIR.
Nicksey for his liberality.
And then that gentleman fell to sing
ing and dancing on the table. Pres.
emily he stopped, and as we'll as he
| could, being scant of breath, again adj
dressed the company.
Gentlemen" and he puffed and
| spluttered. II am not one Of you, but
1 permit you all to be one Of me. You
are all vagabonds. and am an aristO-
crat; but am very glad to see you.
You are poverty-stricken wretches, and
I am a man Of property; and money
levels all distinctions. and the only man
Of you l should consider beneath me
! would be the one incapable of taking
his fair share Of liquor. At the pres
ent moment I am above you, but We
shall oil be equals when we are to-
gether under the table,"
Loud and reiterated cheers from the
company. In the midst Of which Nick
sey fell from the table and came with
a heavy thump on to the floor Of the
room.
In falling, the bank note had escaped
from his hand. and struggling and
scrambling ensued amongst Nickseys
friends for its possession.
But Nicksey, quite unhurt, with the
usual good fortune which it is said ut
tends tipsy persons. had In q moment
regained his feet. using them to Kick
from about him those who were striv.
ing to grasp his note.
He made no gentle use either of bis
fists, and soon had made a clear space
around his bank note, and exclaiming
I'll massacre the first man that
touches my fiimsy" placed his foo;
upon it.
Having seized a chair and hurled II
amongst his friends, he stopped and
took up his note.
Behave like gentlemen" he cried
gesticulating violently, "or Ill throw
you out of the Window
But two or three of the fellows had
been struck by the chair which Nicksey
had thrown: one man had received q
blow from it OIL the head, which had
stunned and sent him sprawling, and
had become enrsged, and were full Of
fury now against the gentleman with
whom, Just before, they had been 80
exceedingly delighted.
| 1t would have gone badly with MIR.
Nicksey but Mt the moment that oil,
combining their strength, were about
to advance upon him, harrington step
ned into the room, and dipping his
hand into his pocket, drew from 1t a
handful of silver. which he sent flying
amongst the Infatuated rlfiians.
Arrested by the shower instead Of
fighting with Nicksey, they proceeded
to buffet and overthrow each other to
obtain what share they might Of the
money which had been cast to them.
harrington seized the opportunity to
drag Nicksey from that room and into
another apartment, of which he secured
the door.
Nicksey had recognized his friend. OF
had not so easily given himself to Bar
rington's guidance; and as soon as they
were alone together, said, in tone Of
injured innocence:
ibid you ever know such vagabondsi
And / was behaving to them with such
liberallty and condesccnsionl"
"Never mind them" said Noel, sooth.
ingly, "You and l will be Jolly to-
gether."
Eyes. that's it," cried Nicksey.
And then, his eyes swimming vacant.
" around the room:
But, where's the young 'un?" he pro.
ceeded. There were three of us in
the affair. Doesn't he mean to come
for his share of the swagY"
"Oh, vest! he was answered.; land In
the meantime. here am to receive
NINE"
But Mr.. Nicksey would have more
liquor before talking about it; his
throat was too dry for conversation
he said.
harrington knew 1t would be vain t.
attempt to reason the fellow out OF
his determination. and SO liquor was
ordered and brought, of which Nick
sey, of course, freely imbibed, while
Noel resolutely refused to touch a dror
Of 1t.
"You needn't be afraid to drink!
shouted Nicksey. II pay, and not Will
your money; your share and the yOun;
'un's are put away safe-don't you BIZ
frightened that anybody will get hold
of thenl-the swag Is hid away snug
enough where nve-along with some
bits Of paper-all right!''
And he winked and looked stupidity
but as he believed knowingly, OH Bar
rington with his now fishy eyes.
And the communication just made tx
him was great satisfaction to Noel
whose aim must now be, he said Il
himself, to get Nlcksey home agar! al
After Nickseyfs eyes had again wan
dered around the room, he said, havin,
totally forgotten that he had before
asked the question: