La Junta tribune., 1899-01-14
cHAPrER Ix.-ocontlnuedD

But the better luck would be not
for Long Jim. Another small one
would follow, and then another The
pigeon was generally persuaded to
take his saddle on Then he would
decide TO stop the night, and no faF-
ther on the road would he go: while
the news spread quickly that Long
lin was 'on the spree at Sullivan 8.
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 IT might contain. SO
1n mall-nights there was always a 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 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 ana
discharged its cargo Horses had TO
bs 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 ont with the evident In
teution of remaining at this stage.
While the eoach remained and the
bar was thronged with customers there
was a perfect babel of voices and gem
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 chinking some loose coins In
his ;rousers-pocket as II 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 hls shirt-sleeves.
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
UnIuckily, however. for the dignity
OF his department, Mr.. Sullivan was so
busFly intent upon scrutinlzing his pos
sible new prey, that he stumbled
across PROSTATE body In the door
way and fell Hat 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 that
disgraceful way. Out you gol Take
your cooler outside II you don't know
how to behave yourself" and selling
the unreslsting 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 II he
would like some supper after his jour
ney.
Thank you" replied the stranger
yes, | should like something to eat.
and / don't mind II | had drop Of
your best. Just for the good OF the
house" AS the man spoke. he showed
signs OF having had several drops of
tse best" already.
Certainly, air." replied Sullivan,
scenting a good customer as terrier
would a rat
Then. rsnsing tumbler In a wooden
tub beneath the counter, he proceeded
to polish 1t on piece OF old towel with
a very professional air.
Turning to the shelves, he paused.
and seemed to be dellberating as to
what really was his best" He then
took down a bottle with a capsule on
It, and, winking confidentially to his
guest, remarked that he thought he
would find that prime. The difference
between the mixture contained in the
bottle and that in the kegs on the
shelf was that the former was nearly
proof rum. and the latter a concoction
OF spirits OF wine, tobacco. brown SUI
gar. water. and fiavoring only of the
real article
air. sullivan kept a few strong sam
pie bottles of the genuine liquid on pur-
pose for great occasions. and 10 two
nobbiers OF that failed to start them
he did not know what would"
Supper seemed to take a long time
to prepare. and the stranger indulged
In another taste or two Of the best"
After his second dose conversation
flowed more easily: the silence which
his ighly-respectable attire had cast
upon the company began to wear off.
and the landlord relapsed into his ,,su-
al jovial style.
do you know a station called Red
mont about here?" inquired the stran-
ger presently.
"Redmount? should think did
Mr.. Hall, isn't it?"
Yes. Mr.. Charles Hall: and a very
nice gentleman he is." remarked Suili-