The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-11-23
SHORT CREEK DAVE.

Short Greek Dave was leading citizen
of the little camp of Wolfville. In fact,
his friends would have not scrupled at the
claim that Short Greek Dave was a leading
citizen of Arizona. So when the news came
over from Tucson that Short Greek, who
had been paying that metropolis breezy
visit, had in an inadvertent moment
strolled within the confines of gospel
meeting then and there being waged and
suffered conversion, Wolfville became a
prey to some excitement.
'tI tells him." said Tutt who brought
back the tidings, mot to go tamperin
round this yere meetin, but he would have
1t. He jest keeps peryading about the go
in place and looks like l can't get him
away. Says I: Dave, you don't under
stand this yere game they re turnin inside,
SO jest you keep out whole lot. You'll
be safer But warnin's amt no good.
Short Creek Dave don't regard 'em little
Bit
''This yere Short Greek is alters speshul
obstinate that away, said Old Monte, the
driver of the Tucson stage, "and he gets
them moods frequent, when he jest won't
stay where he is, nor go anywhere else. ]
don't wonder you don't do nuthin with
him.
Well, ;" said Cherokee Hall, 81 reckont
Short Creek knows his business. [ ain't
myself none astonished much by these
yere news. ] knows him to do some
mighty funny ihings-sech as breakin a
pair Of jacks to draw to three fush and
it seems like Les jest a-pursooin of his
usual system IN this we're religious break.
However, he'll be in Wolfville tomorrow,
and then We'll know a might sight more
about it, pendin which let's Ticker, Mr.
Barkeep. Please enquire out the nose colo.
for the band"
The people of Wolfville there present
saw no reason to pursue the discussion SO
pleasantly ended and drew near the bar
The debate took place in the Gold Mine
saloon, SO as one observed on the issuance
of Cherolzee's invitation, t'They were not
far from centers,'' Cherokee himself pre-
sided behind his own faro game, and, re-
puted to possess a straight deal box, held
high place in Il o Wolfyille breast
The next day came and Wolfville began
to suffer increased excitement. This feel
ing grew as the time for the coming of the
Tucson stage approached. An outsider
might not have detected this warmth 1t
found its evideln,es in the unusual activity
of monte. high tell, stud, and kindred re-
laxations, willis faro, too, showed boom
spirit, and white chips, which were COM
modify ordinaril p disposed of at the rate
of two bits per W hite chip, had, under the
heightened pulsu of the public, gone, in
some games, to the dizzy pinnacle of S25 a
stack. At last, cut of the gray and heated
plain, a cloud of dust announced the COM
ing of the stage. Stacks were cashed and
games cleaned up, and iesently the male
population of Wolfville was in the street,
to catch as early u glimpse as might be OF
the newly converted one.
81 don't reckon now he's goin to look
sech a whole lot different, neither . said
Faro Nell, as she stood near Cherokee Hall,
awaiting the coming stage.
81 wonder would it do to ask Dave for @
drink" said Tutty in tone of vague in
quiry
Shore, >, said Old Monte, Fan why nots''
4"Oh, nuthin, why not?'' replied Tutt,
as he watched the stage come up sOnly
he's nacherally a mighty peevish man tina.
away, an | don't suppose how his entefin
the fold has reduced the restlessness OF
that sixshooter of bis'n none whatever
All the same,'' said Cherokee Hall
"politeness 'mong gentlemen should alters
be observed, an l asks this yere Short
Creek to drink as soon as ever he comes,
an amt lookin to see him take it none
invidious, neither
With a rattle of chains and a creaking
OF straps tho stage and its six high headed
horses pIlled up at the postoffice door,
The mailbags were kicked off, the Wells
Fargo boxes were tumbled into the street,
and, in the general rattle and crash the
eagerly expected Short Creek Dave stepped
upon the sidewalk. There was possibly a
more eager scanning of his person in the
thought that the great inward change
might have its outward evidences; more
vigorous shaking of his hand perhaps, but
beyond these, curious interest did not GO.
Not word nor a look touching Short
Creeks religious exploits betrayed the
question which was Juggling at the Wolf
vile heart. Wolfville was too polite, and
then, again, Wolfville was too courteous.
Next to horse stealing, curiosity is the
greatest crime of the frontier, and the one
most ferociously resented. Wolfville Just
expressed its polite satisfaction in Short
Creek Dawes return, and took it out in
handshaking. The only incident worth a
record was when Cherokee Hall said in a
tone of bland friendship: e
II don't reckon now, Dave, you're OBJ
jectin to whisky after your rider"
amt done SO usual, y said Dave cheer
fully, but this yere time, Cherokee, I'll
have to pass. Jest confldin the truth to
you all, Pm q little off on them beverages
Jest now, an I'm allowin to tell you the
win an lose thereof little later on. An
now if you all will excuse me I'll canter
over to the K House an feed myself
some.
81 shore reckon he's converted. - said
Tut as he shook his head gloomily. "I
wouldn't care none, only it's me as gets
Dave to go over to Tucson this we're time,
an SO feit responsible.
"Well, what of it?" said Old Monte with
. sudden burst Of energy. 81 don't see no
kick comm to any one nor why this yere's
to be regarded. If Dave wants to be re-
ligious an sing them hymns a heap, you
bet that's his American right. I'll Jest
gamble 800 Dave comes out all even an
projects his game clear through
The next day the excitement had begun
to suhside when a notice posted on the
postofice door caused it TO rise again. The