Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-09-01
CHAPTER NY.
Luke Brann Hears News.


The run across to New York was an
u%neventful as usual in these days OF
twenty-knot mammoth steamships.
Stephen estimated that he could easily
get through his legal business" within
Il week, and Oscar decided to postpone
his journey TO Canada for that period.
So they put UP at the same hotel, and
were generally together during Ste
phelps intervals of leisure,
The latter's first o was,o of course,
TO find Luxe Brann, and he made
guarded inquiries as to the wherea-
borts Of the address given in the
poacLer's letter.
Bunker Lane:' repeated the clerk.
Never heard of it. I'll hunt it up"
Then. after some research, he added,
drily: 1T amt off Fifth avenue, not
quite. It's down Bowery way, and, if
/ was paying Il visit in that neighbour
hood, I'd wear a soft hat and leave my
watch at home"
Thanks for the hint" answered Ste
phen. Il had an idea it wasn't an over
respectable locality, though not quite
as bad as you imply"
After a drive through some of the
dirtiest streets he had ever beheld. and
a subsequent walk through a number
OF filthy alleys impossible to wheel
traffic, under the guidance of a half
naked urchin. stephen at length found
himself in Bunker Lane. and inquired
for Mr.. Jack Wood, at No. pa com
mon lodging house.
Il reck'n you'll find him playin' poker
in the saloon" =. opined a greasy-looking
rutfian. who appeared to be the land
lord. This surmise proved to be cor
rect. In the saloon" (which iwas also,
apparently, a kitchen. dining room. and
sly grogshop) was Mr.. Wood discov-
cred and engaged, moreover, in the fas-
cinating pastime of two-cent poker
with half a dollar limit.
None of the players noticed the en-
trance of the newcomer until the best
hand had been shown. Then the poach-
er's wandering gaze fell upon him, and
he started to his feet with a glad
shout of welcome.
What! You here. your very self.
sir?' he cried, Juggling wildly at his
forelock by way of salute. Now that's
wot l calls rale, right-down koind for
Il gentleman loke you to com a. this
49, = htip a. DOol bioht us HAS SOt
hisself into a mess. This be my boss.
mates, wot's crossed the briny t look
arter me.'
"Stow that blather..'' remarked n
OF them. If the gentleman is a gen
tlemaD, wot'l he stand?"
They wants to know wot ye'll stand.
squire" repeated the poacher. It's the
custom ere, sir"
AT a
rs 1t sneered Stephen. ''Then |
shall certainly not be the first to break
it,. so far as two dollars will pay m,
footing. But I'll tell you, my man,
what l will not stand, and that Is n
more lying or preyarication on your
part"
The speaker at once rose 80 per cent
in the eyes of the bystanders. ana TIL,
poacher felt very mean, indeed. The
man who was willing to pay two dol
lars for drinks round was a lonw way
ahead of the other. who stood being
called a liar without ~resenting it.
Had him there, by thunder swore
one.
Hes your boss, right enough, Jaker."
added another.
Come out OF this place." commanded
Stephen, throwing down two dollars
for the drinks. II wan to bring you
TO your senses, If you have any. Take
me somewhere where | can talk to
you without being overheard. do you
understands
Yes, squire, l understand assented
Luke, somewhat sulkily, '.and, for T.
matter o. that, I'd liefer you'd call me
q liar. alone, nor In a room flu o. folks
This candid admission was greeted
with a chorus of knocking laughter. I'M
der cover OF which the poacher was
not sorry TO slink on after his patron.
He knew a fairly-respectable hotel at
no very great distance, and thither
they proceeded.
"Now, them said stephen. when
they were safe from interruption In n
private room, what do you mean by
sending me that lying letter. you
scoundrel?'
1T warn't no lynn letter, g~uv'ner.'
he made answer. II amt got five
pound left of the brass. /. /. that's the
truth"
why did YOU not 60 straight out
West, as you promised?"
well, sir, thar / was wrong. and
doan't deny it," admitted Luke. .'But,
bein' no sort OF a sailor, / was sick all
the blessed way out, and when | GOT
ashore" \
you got blind drunk. Of course in
terrupted Stephen. impatiently, "and