The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1895-12-21

Aoo ouSAACco AouoCSJ Ao" AAAON WIN
stately edifces. There were no pave
ments,; aud where 400 globes of electric
fire now glare at night upon the passer.-
by there was then only the dim and fit
full CLEAN of lamps from the windows
Of the scattered stores.
After AL elaborate supper at the Trans
continental, served By retired cowboys
from Arizona, we sailed forth to visit
the saloons and gambling places in
search # orr robber. We made three or
four c;-rcjFs e the town without sue
cess. and finally found ourselves in the
Magnolia club rooms.
I was enjoying the character of anna
teur detective hugely. So far there WAS
a pleasant tinge Of excitement-~or rather
an expectation Of northumberland very
little danger. But as we scanned the
faces of the company without seeing
our man the deacon's brow grew black
with disappointment.
It was now after midnight. The cigar
store was closed. but the bar was kept
open all night. Disappointed in our
search, we became absorbed in watch
ing the game.
There is something Of the gambler in
every man, and as I looked upon the
tense, excited faces Of the players the
contagion Of their example seized me.
and ] felt III my pocket for a coin. Find
ing nothing but silver, which l did not
like to stake, as there was none on the
table, I was OH the point Of borrowing
a double eagle from the deacon when I
heard a quiet but distinct voice at the
end of the room say:
Hands up, gentlemen, if YOU pleaser'
CHANGING around. I saw a man sta,sG.
ing at the door leading to the bar, a re.
volver in each hand pointed at us. He
was a short, slight man, with dark hair
and a 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 re~volvers, 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
" rise," said the voice near the door.
The gamblers rose as n
"Now, then. Everybody right about
and face the wall" was the next com
mand.
We advanced in two rows to the op-
posite sides Of the room and stood, as d.
rected. ranged against the walls. Then
the two c~onfederates 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 a great show Of politenesa
they requested us to give up our watches.
money and weapons The fellow tossed
my revolver and my few silver dollars
into his sack and grabbed at my watch.
Just then there was q crashing, ex.
plosive sound, deafening in the narrow
confines of the room-then another-an
other-and another. Then came dark
ness, a quick rush Of feet, a tumult Of
shouts and organs:
1t was the deacon, Of course. I knew
it before the welcomed hurried arriva'
Of men from outside, with lanterns. HI
had turned loose" at the leader. They
had exchanged three or four shots befor'
the light went out, quickly and mystic
riously.
The mon with the sacks and the mon
ey were gone, but the deacon was bend
ing over form that was stretched upo1
the floor.
The fellow tried to lift himself upo'
his elbow.
know you, pard, he said. your
the man I stood up this afternoon
You've held over me this time. In
gone"
The deacon g eyes softened. He drol
ped his revolver, put his long arm ur
der the others head and tried to tur
him into a more comfortable position.
II am sorry for you." he said slowl
and simply.
"Oh-it's-all-right," gasped til
wounded man, evidently speaking wit
great difficulty. II came-into-th
-game-on-a-bluf -but-you' We
called-me-sure."
sis there anything that I can do II
you - asked the deacon.
bend down here" said tho .
The deacon lowered his head, and Il
, other Whispered something to him.
"I'Il do it," said the deacon.
The next day in the afternoon the De
con and I sat on tho veranda OF h b
tel at Hot Springs enjoying q sun ba'
and admiring tho diversified landscal
before N.
! NOW there was that young fello
D Yesterday" said he. Had he told n
D who he wa I would have lent him ~
: to 10 east, and there no might ha