The Somerset reporter., 1895-11-14
full CLEAN of lamps from the windows
q IL. -.

After All elaborate supper at the Trans
continental, served by retired cowboys
from Arizona, we sailed forth to visit
the saloons and gambling places III
search of our robber. We made three or
four circuits of the town without sue.
cess, and finally found ourselves in the
Magnolia club rooms.
was enjoying the character of anna
teur detective hugely. SO FAR there vas
pleasant tinge Of excitement-or rather
an expectation of excitement-and very
little danger. But as we scanned the
faces of the company without seeing
our man the deacon's brow grew black
with disappointment
1t was now after midnight. The cigar
store was closed, but the bar was kept
open all night. Disappointed III our
search, we became absorbed in watch
ing the game.
There is something of the gambler in
every man, and as l looked upon the
tense, excited faces of the players the
contagion Of their example seized me,
and | felt i'll my pocket for coin Find
ing nothing but silver, which | did not
like to stake as there was none on the
table, was on the p@-t of borrowing
double eagle from Ine deacon when |
heard a quiet bnt distinct voice at the
end of the room say:
Hands up, gentlemen, if you please =
CHANGING around, | saw man stand
ing at the door leading to the bar, re-
yolver in each hand pointed at us. He
was a short, slight man, with dark hair
and flaming scare across his face.
There was no confusion. One of the
loungers quietly placed his back against
the door leading to the cigar store and
drew two reyolvers which he pointed
along the table. Two others, evidently
confederates also, stood at ease awaiting
the next order The rest of us lifted our
hands simultaneously
1.-The gents that are seated will kind
ly rise, said the voice near the door.
The gamblers rose as one man.
"Now, then. Everybody right about
and face the wall, >" was the next COM
mand.
We advanced in two rows to the OPP
rected, ranged against the walls Then
the two confederates stepped leisurely
to the table and scooped the gold into
a couple of little sacks which they pro
duced from their pockets.
Having secured the money on the ia
BILE, the brigands proceeded to rob our
persons. With great show of politeness
they requested us to give up our watches
money and weapons The fellow tossed
my revolver and my few silver dollars
into his saek.aAd grabbed at n4.wateh
Just then there was crushlngs~eA-
plosive sound, deafeping in the narrow
confines of the room-then another-an-
other-and another Then came dark
ness, quick rusn of feet, tamult Of
shouts and groans.
1t was the deacon, of course. | knew
it before the welcomed hurried arrival
of men from outside, with lanterns He
had turned loose at the leader. They
had exchanged three or four shots before
the light went out, quickly and mystic
riously.
The men with the sacks and the mon
ey were gone, but the deacon WAS bend
ing over form that was stretched upon
the floor.
The fellow tried to lift himself upon
his elbow.
Il know you, pard, he said. You re
the man l stood up this afternoon.
You've held over me this time. I'm
gone "
The deacon S eyes softened. He drop
ped his revolver, put his long arm un-
der the others head and tried to turn
him into more comfortable position.
II am sorry for you" he said slowly
and simply.
"Oh-it's-all-right, gasped the
wounded man, evidently speaking with
great difficulty. Il came-into-the
-game-on-a-bl -but-you We
called-me-sure. -
is there anything that can do for
your" asked the deacon,
Bend down here, said the man.
The deacon lowered his head, ans the
other whispered something to him
I'm do it, said the deacon.
The next day III the afternoon the dea-
con and | sat on the veranda of the. no
tel at Hot Springs enjoying "a sun bath
and admiring the diversified landscape
before us.
"Now there was that young fellow
yesterday, said he. Had he told me
who ne was | would have lent him 800
to go east, and there he might have
amounted to something. He simply
threw his life away.
"What did that young fellow sag TO
your" | asked.
told me his name You would know
the family if should mention it. Want
ed me to see that he was decently buried,
and to write to his father and mother. =
William NJ Hinsdale in San Francisco
ArgOnaut.
LihcoIns Substitute.
t. So. L., A