The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-11-08
SHORT CREEK DAVE.

Short Creek Dave was q leading either
of the little camp of Wolfville. In fact
his friends would have not scrupled at the
claim that Short Creek Dave was leading
citizen of Arizona. So when the news came
over from Tucson that Short Creek, who
had been paying that metropolis breezy
visit, had in an inadvertent moment
strolled within the confines of gospe
meeting then and there being waged and
suffered conversion, Wolfville became g
prey to some excitement.
81 tells him." said Tut, who brought
back the tidings, mot to go tamperir
round this yere meetin, but he would have
1t. He jest keeps pervading about the 'gc
in place and looks like can't get him
away. Says L: 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 Creek is alters speshul
obstinate that away" said Old Monte, the
driver of the Tucson stage, land 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, ~ reckons
Short Creek knows his business. I amt
myself none astonished much by these
ycre news. 1 knows him to do some
mighty funny things-sech as breakin a
pair of jacks to draw to three flush, and
it seems like he's jest a-pursooin of his
usual system In this yere religious break.
However, he'll be in Wolfyille tomorrow,
and then We'll know might sight more
about it, pendin which let's Ticker, Mr..
Barkeep. Please enquire out the nose color
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 Cherokee's invitation, "They were not
far from centers." Cherokee himself pre-
sided behind his own faro game, and, re-
puted to possess straight deal box, held
high place in the Wolfville breast.
The next day came and Wolfville began
to suffer increased excitement. This feel
ing grew rs the time for the coming of the
Tucson stage approached. An outsider
might not have detected this warmth. 1t
found its evidences in the unusual activity
Of monte, high ball, stud, and kindred re-
laxations, while faro, too, showed a boom
spirit, and white chips, which were a conn.,
modify ordinarily disposed of at the rate
Of two bits per white chip, had, under the
heightened pulse Of the public, gone, in
some games, to the dizzy pinnacle of S25 a
stack. At last, out of the gray and heated
plain, a cloud of dust announced the conn.,
ing of the stage. Stacks were cashed and
games cleaned up, and presently the male
population of Wolfville was in the street,
to catch as early glimpse as might be OF
the newly converted one.
81 don't reckon now he's goin to look
sech whole lot different, neither" said
Faro Nell, as she stood near Cherokee Hall,
awaiting the coming stage.
~ wonder would it do to ask Dave for a
drink2' said Tut, in a tone Of vague in
quiry.
ashore, " said Old Monte, "an why nott'
"Oh, nuthin, why not?' replied Tut,
as he watched the stage come up. "Only
he's nacherally a mighty peevish man that
away, an l don't suppose how his enterin
the fold has reduced the restlessness Of
that sixshooter of his n none whatever"
CAN the same" said Cherokee Hall,
"politeness 'mong gentlemen should alters
be observed, an asks this yere Short
Creek to drink as soon rs ever he comes,
an amt lookin to see him take it none
invidi6us, neither"
With rattle of chains and n creaking
of straps, the stage and its six high headed
horses pulled up at the postoffice door.
The mailbags were kicked off, the Wells
Fargo boxes were tumbled into tho street,
and, In the general rattle and crash, the
upon the sidewalk. There was possibly a
moro eager scanning of his person In the
thought that the great inward change
might have it's outward evidences; a more
vigorous shaking of his hand perhaps, but
beyond these, curious interest did not go.
Not word nor lock touching Short
Greeks religious exploits betrayed the
question which was tugging at the Wolf
Vile heart. Wolfvillc 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 1t out in
Handwriting. The only incident worth a
record was when Cherokee Hall said in a
tone of bland friendship:
81 don't reckon now, Dave, you're OBJ
jectin to whisky after your rider"
81 amt done SO usual, " said Dave cheer
fully, "but this yere time, Cherokee, I'll
have to pass. Jest confldin the truth to
you all, I'm 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 o K House an feed myself
some.'
~ shore reckon he's converted" said
Tut as no shook his head gloomily. 81
wouldn't care none only it's me as gets
Dave to go over to Tucson this yere time,
an SO felt responsible.
"Well what of it?" said Old Monte, with
a sudden burst of energy. 81 don't see no
kick comm to any one nor why this yeres
to be regarded. If Dave wants to be re-
ligious an sing them hymns heap, you
bet that's his American right. III jest
gamble 500 Dave comes out all even an
protects his game clear through"
The next day the excitement had begun
to subside, when n notice posted on the
postoffice door caused 1t to rise again. The
notice announced that Short Creek Dave
would preach that evening In the Dig
warehouse of the New York store.
81 reckon we better all go, said Chero-
keo Hall. "I'm goin to turn up my box
an close the game at 1880 sharp, an Ham
ilton says hos goin to shut up the dance
hall, scoin as how several ladies is duo to
sing a lot in the choir. We might jest as
well turn out an give Short Creek the
best turn in the wheel, jest to start him
along tho new trail"
"That's whatever" said Tut, who had
Il ir irSt ole
entered into the affair with spirit.
That evening the New York warehouse
was as brilliantly lighted as an abundance
of candles could make it. All Wolfville
was there. AS result of discussion held
in private with Short Greek Dave and by
that converts own request Cherokee Hall