Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-08-19
CHAPTER Ix.-tcontinued.)


Their on the road would he go; while
the news spread quickly that Long
Jim was ION the spree at Sullivans.
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 what
profitable guests II might contain. SO
on mail-nights there was always de-
cent supper laid in a room away from
the common herd in readiness for
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.
''It's two hours late; ! expect they've
had a smash"
II was nearly dusk when the coach
pulled up at the door OF the inn and
discharged its cargo. Horses had to
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 a
farewell glance at the departing mail,
and was chinklng 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 a
dim light upon the interior of the
den, and Sullivan suddenly remem-
bered his guest.
Pulling down his shirt-sleeyes,
which he usually rolled up above the
elbow. he put on his most insinuating
manner. as he preceived at glance
that he had no bushman TO deal with.
4 Uniuckiiy, however, for the dignity
OF his department. Mr.. Sullivan was so
bnsily intent upon scrutinizing his pos
sible new prey, that he stumbled
across a PROSTATE body in the door
way and fell fat 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 thai
dlsgraceful way Out you so! Take
your cooler outside II you don't know
how to behave yourself" and Selling
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 II nothing un'
usual had occurred. he inquired IL ht
would like some supper after his jour
ney.
Thank YOU" replied the stranger
Eyes. | should like something TO eat
and / don't mind IL | had drop o.
your best. Just for the good of th'
house" AS the man spoke. he showed
signs OF having had several drops o
the best" already.
Certainly, sir" replied Sullivan
scenting a good customer as terriel
would a rat.
Then, rinsing tumhler in wooder
tub beneath the counter, he proceeded
TO polish It on piece Of old towel will
a very professional air
Turning to the shelves. he paused
and seemed to be celebrating as t
what really was his best" He thei
took down a bottle with capsule oil
It. and. winking confidentially TO hi
gueet. remarked that he thought h
would find that prime. The difference
hetween the mixture contained in tn
bottle and that in the kegs on tn
shelf was that the former was nearl!
proof rum, and the latter a conooctiol
of spirits OF wine, tobacco, brown SUI
gar. water. and favoring only of tn
real article.
Mr.. Sullivan kept n few strong sam
pie bottles of the genuine liquid on pur
pose for great occasions, and If "tw,
nobblers Of that failed to start then
he did not know what would"
Supper seemed TO take a long tim
to prepare. and the stranger indulge,
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 Jovisl style.
"Do you know station called Red
mont about here7" inquired the stran
ger presently.
"Redmountg l should think / did.
"Mr. Hall, isn't it?H
''Yee. Mr.. Charles Hall; and a YER
nice gentleman he is" remarked Sulli
van. inwardy thinking that he wa
nothing OF the sort.
Els 1t far from hereg"
''Only six miles, Follow tho creek
and you can't miss e. | thought q
how you might be for Redmount. Per
haps Mr.. Hall expects yous"
81 don't know whether he does or h
doesn't" answered the stranger shor,