Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-04-25

dressed the company.
"Gentlemen,' and he puffed ana
! spluttered, Il am not one OF you, put
| | wrmit you all to be one OF me. You
are sall vagabonds, and am an arlsto-
crat; but l am very glad to see you
| You are poverty-stricken wretches, ana
[ 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 all 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 ana
scrambling ensued amongst Nlcksey' $
friends for it's possession.
But Nicksey, quite unhurt, with the
usual good fortune which it is said at
tends tipsy persons. had in a moment
regained his feet. using them to kick
from about him those who were strlv-
ing to grasp his note.
He made no gentle use either of his
fists, and soon had made clear space
around his bank note, and exclalming:
"I'll massacre the first man that
touches my flimsy!' placed his foot
upon it,
Having seized chair and hurled it
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 4
| blow from it OH the head, which had
stunned and sent him Sprawling. and
had become enraged, and We're full OF
fury now against the gentleman with
| whom. Just before. they had been so
exceedingly delighted.
It would have gone badly with Mr..
Nicksey but at the moment that all,
combining their strength, We're about
to advance upon him, Darlington step
ped into the room, and dipping his
hand into his pocket, drew from it
handful Of silver. which he sent flying
amongst the Infatuated ruf1ians.
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.
Darlington seized the opportunity to
drag Niclssey from that room and into
another apartment, of which he secured
the door.
Nicksey had recognized his friend. or
had not so easily given himself to Bar
rington's guidance; and az soon as they
were alone together. said, in tone OF
injured innocence:
Dill you ever know such vagabonds?
And was behaving to them with such
liberality and condescension!"
"Never mind them" said Noel, sooth-
inglv. "You and I will be jolly to-
gether.'
Yes. that's itr' cried Nicksey.
And then, his eyes swimming vacant
ly 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 swag?"
"Oh, yes!" he was answered; "and in
the meantime. here ana L to receive
mine"
But Mr.. Nicksey would have more
liquor before talking about it; his
throat was too dry for conversation,
he said.
harrington knew it would be vain to
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 drop
Of it,
You needn't be afraid to drink"
shouted Nicksey. Il pay, and not with
your money; your share and the young
'un's are put away safe-don't you be
frightened that anybody will get hold
enough where live-along with some
bits of paper-all right"
And he winked and looked stupidity
but as he believed knowingly, on Bar
rington with his now fishy eyes.
And the communication just made to
him was great satisfaction to Noel,
whose aim must now be, he said to
himself, to get Nicksey home again as
soon as possible.
After Nicksey's eyes had again wan
dered around the room, he said. having
totally forgotten that he had before
asked the question:
where's the young 'un?'
"At the door in a coach awaiting us, !"
was the reply.
Bring him in. coach and air. shout
ell Nicksey, "I'll pay!'
At that moment arose Il tumult OF
many voices within the house, and the
next instant loud thumpings at the
door Of the room which harrington ha
| locked against intruders.
Nicksey again possessed himself Of a
chair and stood prepared to belabor
| those who were now loudly clamoring
| FOR adnlittance.
Burlington had an influence over the
fliftian with whom he was for the
inc linked. which was partly mora
nd partly physical.
1t may be doubted. however, If Noers
,hysical qualifications did not mos
'"eval with the man with whom
nd now to deal. for brute force is hes
Understood and most respected by Tel
,ws such as Nicksey; ana harrington
as tall and stoutly built; was. indeed
| muscular and very powerful man.
Restore that chair to it's proper
lace" commanded Noel; and with =
| ,tllnt the other ObeyPd.