The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-23
The Camp
at .
Cripple Creek.

II was q great year for Cripple Creek.
The new town was literally crowded
with spectators, gamblers, cowboys,
miners and Adventures Of both sexes,
and for hard drinking, swearing, fight
ing and carousing at all hours of the
night, it rivalled the liveliest mining
camps in their palmiest days.
There were few of those fatal bar
room affrays which sensation builders
have made SO common iii their stories
of western settlements and such a
thing as a ccwardly midnight murder
had never left stamp of shame upon
the community. For there was no hour
in the twenty four wnen the town
was not awake and 1t used to be a
frequent expression of the time wide
open and just abilin," and the secret
organization of "Vigilaptes' were
healthy check upon too excessive law
lessness. BnL it was a pretty tough
place even for a western town with a
boom"
Tha leading hotel two-Story frame
building, erected in a rather hurried
fashion and with more view to utility
than stability was the Miners Retreat,
over which Colonel Mike Holt presid-
ed as proprietor and general overseer.
1t was during these stirring times
registered at the Holt's one Saturday
evening. After supper I strollCd into
the billiard room ito see if a certain
person Whou / was anxious to see
might happen in. | sat down near q
table where two young men were en-
gagged in a contest with the "ivorics."
one seemed to be a stranger in the
place. the other I judged to be Il local
billiard champion. Both were good
players and both had been drinking
They were evidently playing for big
money and number of interested
spectators, representing many walks in
life, if one were to judge by their raj
mcnt were grouped about the table
The attention of so many onlookers
affected the two differently. The
stranger was winning from END to
end" and was proportionately eXhil-
irateG and inclined to be boastful. The
other appeared Disconnected at having.
So many observers of his unusually
bad luck and was sarcastic and evil
IDENTIFY disposed to be ugly.
His opponent. after a series of bril-
llant plays all more or less lucky.
capped the climax with a predictions
scratch or accidental count, in so eX-
asperatinglY unexpected a manner as
to elicit eNclamations of surprise from
the bystanders.
There" said the lucky player, boast
ingly, 'it isn't every fool could do
that"
NO" responded the other with as
much sarcasm in his tone and manner
as in his words. but we occasionally
run up against one who cam
The stranger Joined in the general
laugh at his expense.
Good. | owe yoL one" he said.
pleasantly
In his next shot he barely grazed the
first ball. touching it so gently as not
to disturb it,
His opponent was on his feet immedi e.
ately, prepared to play.
one moment, if you please, Bill"
said the stranger, "I hit that ball"
Did you do it all alone by yourself
without any help from your magma
tion?"
Yes, I did" replied the player, with
marked emphasis, nettled at the insnu-
alton, and don't you forget it,"
III make memorandum at once"
was the others response to this bit of
advice. Pm looking around for a little
gen&al information" he continued, sar-
caSticallY. as he resumed his seat
well, | don't know of anything YOU
stand in greater need Of" said the
stranger, coolly, unless. perhaps, it
may be brains to make it valuable "a
You after you acquire it."
The cool insolenCe with which these
words We're uttered was too eXasper-
atng to the already irritated man. He
started toward the speaker with up
raised cue, and would have struck him
with the weapon had l not grasped ii
and with a sudden twist wrenched il
from his hands. He turned on me, his
face purple with rage
"Pll fix YOU" he shrieked. I've seen
you before. I'll do you for this! !
never thought" he continued, turning
to his recent opponent with mock
politeness, that you had friends of
this mans stamp" pointing toward
me. But if you two fellows work to.
gether you shall have full benefit OF
each others acquaintance, and don't
you forget it,
With this sinister implication he
flung a silver dollar to the attendan
and left the room. l was too excited
over the incident to notice the manner
of his remark and did not realize his
meaning. ] was about to leave the
place when a bystander said To me;
stranger, take something
| saw there was something beyond
the mere disposition to treat in his
invitation to the bar, which prompted
me to look at him inquiringly. But ]
walked with him in that direction.
Stranger" he said as soon as We
became separated from the crowd, I'll
We amt square man you'd better Skin
out on the II O'clock freight. for this
town amt big enough to hold ye II
that fellers got it in for ye. He's bad
| tell ye, and the boys is wild him
Here's to ye," and he swallowed the
liquor and walked away, leaving me tC
settle for the drinks.
who is that man." / asked in as
tonishment Of the harkeeper.
"Oh, he's a tough 'un; knows all s
goin' on"
But he asked me up to drink an(
leaves me to SETTLE" | said.