The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-11

time he took squint at the food through
one Of the portfolios Of the ark.
Without speaking. he stood. very pals
and still, for a moment. looking at the
open pocketbook in his hand while they
all stared at him. grinning and sjeerine.
There was. firmness about his mouth
that didn't suggest unconditional surren-
der TO two or three who watched him
closely. and who were much surprised
when presently the color rushed back over
his face. and. shutting his book with
snap. he went out OF the car.
He was followed by a roar OF laughter
and facetious yells.
Come again. young feilowr
Always glad to see your
Then the crowd returned TO poker play
ing. some Of them just bit disconnected
with their victory and muttering that
twenty to one was too big odds for any
chap, specially a slim. little chap with
fists which couldn't hold their own against
a kid
The story-teller interrupted himself with
a chuckle.
They counted fists. you see. and forgot
TO take stock OF brains. How should they
guess that the man they had put to proof
carried more brains inside his handsome
head than furnished the twenty OF them,
though they were not fools. either?
"A quarter of an hour later the train
which sent poker chips flying. There was
a COWBOY half out of every window in the
car quicker than you could have cooked
pistol, for stations were seldom within
a hundred miles OF each other In those
days, and they all knew that this stop
wasn't regular.
Behind and before them the track
stretched as far as they could see. while
on both sides the prairie spread away to
the low edge of the gray sky. which wasn't
any grayer than Itself. lonely as the ocean.
sir, and Infinitely more silent. Not a
sound or movement, except that of the
locomotive whisking off al fun speed.
In came the cowboys heads with a vol
ley of hard swearing. and there stood
Lloyd in the doorway. cooler than I am
this instant. but holding ix-shooter.
" You have just five minutes to make
up your minds. he said, and his voice was
as steady as his eyes. VIII you pay your
fares like honest men or get out and tramp
to the next settlement. forty miles from
here? Our engineer is waiting within hail
OF MS and he will not come back unless |
give him the order. Oh. you may murder
me If you choose" he cried, stepping fur
ther into the car. as half dozen pistols
were grabbed. But can shoot as straight
as any Of you'll don't mean to die alone
and at the sound OF the first shot our en-
gineer will be off to Bismarck
"Fo0one long moment the prairie WASH t
stiller than that carload of excited human
ity. II Lloyd had even blinkedl Thank
God, he didn't! Then a big fellow broke
into laugh, took his pistols from his belt.
and, laying them on seat walked to-
ward Lloyd, holding out his empty fists.
" Shake! he said. SHAT was a lone
hand! And pluclily you played itr
From Lloyd's side he faced the lot Of
them
Boys he cried. a chap who can look
straight down the muzzles of so many
cowboy shooters for the sake Of doing bis
duty, that chap will make the kind OF part
ner most of us want to yoke with, II he
VIII let us, eh?'
Lloyd smiled, slipped his pistol into his
pocket and gave his slim fingers to the
others brawny grasp.
We'll, sir all crowds are alike, whether
cattle or men-they follow leader. There
was cheering presently which astonished
the waiting engineer. Then the fares were
paid as fast as Lloyd could take them.
And that is the end OF this story"
The ranchman paused, and began care
fully to relight his pipe, which had died
I out
Where is Lloyd now? In Helena, state
senator from county" he answered, ar
+ eager questioner when the pipe was agar
In working order "'Nhere is the fellow
who stood by hm?" he laughed joyially
Neither he nor his wherea bouts point the
moral of this tale. But. when Lloyd runs
for governor. as he Will net year, he shall
have my vote, for he runs to win in any
race he enters And that is my creed OF
life. boys-'the Lord helps those who help
themselves'-Ive seen II. and believe it,