Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-06-23

why no can go faster?' asked the
Indian.
Mr.. Bill Dangler turned a plying
smile on the Cherokee. "Why, Injun
if lets my bosses trot down Jack Rab.
bit Run and shakes up that load O. hell
fire, it shore explodes; and Bill Dangler
amt ready to go to them happy huntin'
grounds O. yourn, not just yet"
Eleven o'clock found the center of at
traction in Bragg's place a spirited
game of poker. Mr.. Bragg participated
as q spectator only-Mr Bragg knew
his business. Gradually those who
were losers dropped out, and by mid
night the game had narrowed down to
four players-Mr. Arthur Robinson,
Mr.. Bill Dangler, Mr.. Hi Simpson and
Injun still occupied seats at the table
with honors about even, though the lit
tie pile Of money In front of each was
somewhat larger than when the game
began.
At the table luck presently seemed to
favor the Indian. The stakes were by
no means large, yet Injun gluttonously
raked them in. He was rarely 10
quacious, but the occasion seemed to
demand some comment. "Injun very
much understand how" he said.
But mutation is law Of nature, and
Cherokee luck Is not the exception
which proves this rule. Mr.. Arthur
Robinson pulled thoughtfully at his
cigarette, and pushed all but q few Of
his remaining coins to the center of the
table. a moment later he drew them
back again with a considerable addi-
ton. Just then the luck changed. By
that strange freak which animates
games of chance the sportsman now won
as steadily as had the Indian. The In
dian scowled and doubled the stake.
Mr.. Arthur Robinson met him with a
smile as he showed him his error. The
sportsman stopped the game long
enough to awaken Mr.. Bragg from his
reverle and treat the house. The play
was resumed. The Indian set the pace
with good stake. But fortune was
coy and he lost again.
The features of Mr.. Bill Dangler re-
Taxed into o grin, and he muttered;
"Iniun very much understand how"
The Indian cast malignant glance of
hatred at his prosecutor and another
at the man who without apparent eff
fort was winning every bet he made.
Perhapsitwasb ecausethe Indian tenn
permanent is much ruffled by the use Of
Intoxicating beverages, or perhaps it
was because he hoped by change of
tactics to force fortune; however that
may be, tnjun became reckless. His eff
forts to recoup his fortune were futile.
His single eye blazed with dangerous
light as he threw his last stakes on to
the table. It was no use, Mr.. Arthur
Robinson was easily the winner. The
Indian sprang to his feet, upsetting his
chair, and made sweeping grab at the
pile of money. Quick as was the action,
it had been anticipated.
If there was anything that the old
time teamster loved better than whisky
it was fair play. Like fash Mr.. Bill
Dangler had whipped q knife out of his
belt and had planted its sharp point
deep in the center of the pine table
among the coins, and it was upon the
whetted steel that the Indians fingers
closed.
The Cherokee staggered back, cover
ing his wounded hand with the palm
of his other. He must have been in
considerable pain, but he bore it stole
ally. He stood moment gazing at the
ugly cash; then, glazing at the team
ster, he gave vent to a fendish grunt
and Sunk out of the door.
Mr.. Bill Dangler stepped to where his
knife was still sticking in the table top
and lifted 1t just as drop of crimson
fell from its edge to the table. He wiped
the blade upon his knee and returned
it to the sheath. 81 had thought fore
now" he remarked, coolly, that if this
here Injun Teller didn't quit foolin' with
things so permiscuous like he would
shore hurt hisself."
The late proprietor Of the.White Fawn
bar at Dutch Diggings delivered himself
thus: "Concernin' this Injun deal l
has this to say: Since this gent had
won the money in, a fair and. honest
gamble, lnjun had no right to set up
a claim for it. But since he did, and
since he hurt hisself asserting of that
claim, he blames Bill here, and shore
lays to make him trouble"
81 guess I amt none afraid, but
don't look for Injun to cross my trail"
answered Mr.. Bill Dangler.
Indians is the kind of people that
stabs in the back; Injun will drop into
your trail all right, but most likely
where you can't see him."
"Nope, not at all, I guess"
Mr.. Bragg slid his hands into his
trousers pockets and far-away look
same into his eyes. 81 allows as how
every man has. a. right to his own opin-
ION, puu nolds as how the best of US
miscalliilates sometimes"
The timepiece which hung high up on
the wall above the range of stray pistol
balls struck two o'clock, and presently
darkness reigned in Bragg's place.
An hour and a half later, Mr.. Bill
Dangler, uttering many reproaches for
fate that demanded such early rising,
began throwing the harness on the ami
mails of his team. When he turned the
rays of his lantern upon the two large
bundles Of wooden stuff wrapped in
their places on his wagon he bethought
him of what was contained in the little
case in the center of those bundles and
kept the flame at thoroughly respect
full distance.
Mr.. Bill Dangler knew that just ahead
of him lay narrow little bridge, or
rather culvert. Up on the mountain
somewhere was spring, and tiny
stream Of water trickled down the face
of the bluff and ran across the road,
thence falling sheer more than hun
dred feet on to the rocks. The water