The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-12-23
CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.)


would follow, and then another. The
pigeon was generally persuaded TO
take his saddle off. Then he would
decide to stop the night, and no far-
Their on the road would he go; while
the news spread quickly that Long
Jim was "on the spree at Sulllvans'
On the afternoon In question the
coach was expected up, and sullivan
had been several times to the door
looking out anxiously for its coming
There was never any telling wnac
profitable guests it might contain So
on mail-nights there was always de-
cent supper laid in room away from
the common herd in readiness ior
more distinguished company.
"There's the dust Of the coach at
last" cried a man, who had also been
engaged in watching the distant track.
''Its two hours late; expect they've
had a smash"
It was nearly dusk when the coach
pulled up at the door of the inn and
discharged its cargo. Horses mad 10
be changed, the fresh ones being al
ready in waiting in the yard, and ten
minutes were allowed for the dusty
passengers to refresh themselves on
lightning rum.
Only one person among the twenty
passengers got out with the evident in
tention of remaining at this stage.
While the coach remained and the
bar was thronged with customers there
was perfect babel Of voices and gen.
eral hubbub and confusion all round.
The stranger sat on bench near the
wooden counter. Presently the land
lord came in. He had been taking
farewell glance at the departing mall
and was thinking some loose coins IN
his trousers-pocket as If he were well
satisfied with the profits of the last
ten minutes.
The dirty kerosene lamp threw
dim light upon the interior OF the
den, and Sullivan suddenly remem-
bered his guest.
Pulling down his shirt-sleeves'
which he usually rolled up above the
elbow, he put on his most insinuatlng
manner as he preceived at glance
that he had no bushman to deal with.
Unluckily, however, for the dignity
of his department, Mr.. Sullivan was SO
busily intent upon scrutinizing his pos
sible new prey, that he stumbled
across PROSTATE body in the door,
way and fell fiat upon his face.
what are you doing, lying about
like that. SAM" he cried Indignantly
as he struggled to his feet why, you
are drunk! You ought to be ashamed
of yourself, tripping people up in tha'
disgraceful way. Out you go! Take
your cooler outside if you don't know
how to behave YOURSELF" and seizlne
the unresisting sot by the shirt and
trousers, he pitched him into the road
way.
Then turning to the new arrival IN
The most affable way, as if nothing I'M
usual had occurred, he inquired II ne
would like some supper after his Jour
ney.
"Thank YOU" replied the stranger
Eyes, should like something to eat
and I don't mind if 1 had a drop Of
YOUR best, just for the good OF the
house." AS the man spoke, he showed
signs of having had several drops O.
the "best" already.
Certainly, sir" replied Sullivan
seeming a good customer as terrier
would a rat.
Then. rinsing tumbler in woode1
tub beneath the counter, he proceeded
f, tn polish it on piece of old towel will
a very professional air.
Turning to the shelves, he paused
and seemed to be celebrating as tt
what really was his best" He thei
took down a bottle with capsule OF
il. and. winking confidentially to hi
guest. remarked that he thought h
would find that prime. The differenc
between the mixture contained in tn
hottie and that in the kegs on tn
shelf was that the former was nearl!
nroof rum. and the latter connection
Of shirts of wine, tobacco, brown SUI
gar water. and a flavoring only of tn,
real article.
Mr.. Sullivan kept few strong sam
ple bottles of the genuine liquid on pur
nose for great occasions, and if "tw'
nobblers of that failed to start then
he did not know what would"
Supper seemed to take long tim
to prepare, and the stranger indulget
in another taste or two of the "best.
After his second dose conversation
flowed more easily; the silence whIcl
his highly-respectable attire had cas-
upon the company began to wear of
and the landlord relapsed into his usu
al jovial style.
do you know a station called Red
mont about here?" inquired the stran
ger presently.
"Redmount? I should think 1 did.
''Mr. Hall, isn't it?"
Eyes. Mr.. Charles Hall; and yer.
nice gentleman he is" remarked Sulli
van, inwardly thinking that he wa
nothing of the sort.
as it far from here?"
0OnIv civ miles EOllOw fha crock