Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-11-29
SHORT CREEK DAVE.

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Short Creek Dave was leading citizen
of the little camp of Wolfville. In fact,
his friends would have not scruplcd at tho
claim that Short Creek Dave was a leading
citizen of Arizona. So when the news camo
over from Tucson that Short Creek, who
had been paying that metropolis a breezy
visit, had in an inadvertent moment
strolled within the confines of a gospel
meeting then and there being waged and
suffered conversion, Wolfville became a
prey to some excitement.
81 tells him." said Tut who brought
back the tidings, mot to go tampcrin
round this yere meetin, but he would have
it. He jest keeps pervading about the go
in place and looks like l can't get him
away. Says 1; 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 dom 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 whore he is, nor go anywhere else. l
don't wonder you don't do nuthin with
him."
"Well, said Cherokee Hall, 81 reckons
Short Creek knows his business. l amt
myself none astonished much by these
yere news. I knows him to do some
mighty funny things-sech as breakin n
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 Wolfville tomorrow,
and then We'll know a might sight moro
about it, pendin which let's Ticker, Mr.
Barkecp. 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 Cherokce's invitation, "They were not
far from centers." Cherokee himself pre-
sided behind his own faro game, and, re-
puted to possess a 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 as 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 COM
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 $25 a
stack. AT last out of the gray and heated
plain, a cloud of dust announced the COM
ing of the stage. Stacks were cashed and
games cleaned up, and presently the male
population of Wolfyille 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
soch whole lot different, neither" said
Faro Nell, as she stood near Cherokee Hail.
awaiting the coming stage
81 wonder would it do to ask Dave for a
drink?' said Tut, in a tone of vague in
quiry.
ashore, " said Old Monte, "an why not?"
"Oh nuthin, why not?" replied Tut
as he watched the stage come up. "Only
he's nacherally a mighty peevish man that
away, an 1 don't suppose how his enterin
the fold has reduced the restlessneSs of
that sixshooter of his'n none whatever. "
"All the same" said Cherokee Hail.
'politeness 'mong gentlemen should alters
be observed, an l asks this yere Short
Greek to drink as soon as ever he comes,
an amt lookin to see him take it none
invidious, neither"
With a rattle of chains and creaking
of straps, the stage and its six high headed
horses pulled up at the postOtlice door.
The mailbags were kicked off, the Wells
Fargo boxes were tumbled into the street,
and, in the general rattle and crash, the
eagerly expected Short Creek Dave stepped
upon the sidewalk. There was possibly "a
more eager scanning of his person in the
thought that the great inward change
might have its outward evidences; more
vigorous shaking of his hand perhaps, but
beyond these, curious interest did not go.
Not word nor look touching Short
Greeks religious exploits betrayed the
question which was Juggling at the Wolf
vile heart. Wolfville 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
Greek Dawes return, and took it out in
handshaking. The only incident worth a
record was when Cherokee Hall said in
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
haveto pass. Jest confdin the truth to
you all, I'm a little off on them beverages
jest now, an I'm allowin to tell you the
win an lose thereof little later on. An
now ii you all will excuse me I'll canter
ovsp to the o X House an feed myself
some"
Il shore reckon he's converted, " said