The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-13

business mani here grew bolder. "But
pm not going TO be interfered with. I'm
to take that 9 O'Clock train and I'd like
to go to bed early"
There was discussion among them.
They talked little, but they had signs
which served for expressions veritable
sign language. / waited with both hands
in my pockets, again assuming careless
air. The tall man took couple OF his
companions aside. My guide stood near
studying me intently. / remembered how
far the store was from any other shop,
and that 1t was getting late. i reflected
on the probability of the support of every
disreputable in the town. was pris-
oner at the bar.
At last the tall old man came back. He
held out his hand.
Il guess we've made mistake, strang-
err; the joke Is on us. 2"
shook hands, keeping my left hand in
"That's all right. No harm done so far. -
"Bill, see him safe up TO Reed g. +" my
guide said.
''All right, Bige. / thought he was
square, only / thought you ought to
know
"Jest a secont!' commanded the tall
man Bige. 81 wouldn't say nothing
about this IL / was you" He spit lazily.
"rd Jest let the thing slide. 1t was our
mistake, an so Jest let il go. ~
"All right" 1 said cheerily. ''lt's
none o. my concern. l was Just after
melon, as ! said" My, guide laughed and
the rest joined in, and while they guf-
fawed we got out into the night. My
guide chuckled for block. At last he
said:
"That's good one on us. Ye see, !" he
said, confidently, "Jim, there, is sellin'
beer without license and the boys are
a little owly when stranger comes
4 h0yg f.
ty wide awake. It's all right, but as Bige
said, wouldn't mention 1t to Reed II l
was you.
"Oh, won't. AS say, don't live in
the State, and it's none o. my business.
He warmed in admiration. ''The boys
rather liked your grit, too. The way you
KEEP yer hands on yer guns kind o made
'em careful"
Then for the first time saw the signie
fcance of my habit Of carrying my hand
in my overcoat pockets. l was quits
willing to pose as brave man-at that
distance from "Bige.' / said quietly:
- wasn't lookin' for trouble, but OF
course any man takes care Of himself"
My guide laughed again. "Well, it's
all right now; the boys are as glad as
you are that it didn't come TO a brush.
Somebody would "a got hurt sure.
There's Reeds light, so I'll leave ye.
Goodnight, Cap"
"Good night"
Iheard him chuckling as he went down
the crazy sidewalk, and as 1 turned to
cross the road / found my knees were
shaking and there was a queer tightness
across my chest. The shake did not leave
my limbs Tor an hour, and all night long
/ argued the case with that tall old man
with small fierce eyes.
took the early train, and as it drew
out into the cool sweet September morn
ing that experience in the saloon seemed
like a bad dream. II seems so to me now,
yet here is he paragraph.
My friend handed me the clipping. 1t
was telegraphic dispatch.
"Blank, Iowa, Nov. 20 -DeputyMarshall
Williams has succeeded at last in his ef-
forts to apprehend the moonshiners OF
Appanoose County. Last night he made
a raid on Coon Creek and captured
'"Bige" Miller and his two nephews,
Hank and Bill, after desperate struggle.
And the tall man was "Blgc' / said?
Undoubtedly. And when ] read that
paragraph | had chill; IL could SO easily
have been "another mysterious murder
in a saloon" etc, etc,
Moral? l asked.
Keep on the lightest side of the street,
he replied.
(THE END.)