Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1899-07-27
CHAPTER Ix.-(Continued.)

would follow, and then another. The
pigeon was generally persuaded to
take his saddle off. Then he would
Their on the road would he go; while
the news spread quickly that Long
Jim was ION the spree at Sullivan's."
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
on mail-nights there was always de-
cent supper laid in 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.
TITS two hours late; | expect they We
had a smash"
1t 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 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 a
farewell glance at the departing mail,
and was thinking 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-sleeves
which he usually rolled up above the
elbow, he put on his most insinuating
manner, as he preceived at a glance
that he had no bushman to deal with.
Unluckily, however, for the dignity
OF his department, Mr.. Sullivan was so
sible new prey, that he stumbled
across a PROSTATE body in the door
way and fell fiat 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 go! Take
your cooler outside if 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 if nothing un-
usual had occurred he inquired If he
would like some supper after his jour
ney.
Thank YOU" replied the stranger
yes, l should like something to eat,
and | don't mind If | 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
the best" already.
Certainly, sir replied Sullivan,
seeming a good customer as a terrier
would a rat
Then, rinsing 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 celebrating as to
what really was his best" He then
took down a bottle with capsule on
1t, and, winking confdentially 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 connection
of spirits of wine. tobacco, brown SUI
gar. water and iayoring only of the
real article.
Mr. Sullivan kept few strong sam
Pile bottles of the genuine liquid on pur-
pose for great occasions, and If two
nobblers of that failed to start them
he did not know what would"
Supper seemed to take a long time
to prepare, and the stranger indu1sed
in another taste or two of the hest "
After his second dose conversation
flowed more easily; the silence which
his highly-respectable attire had east
upon the company began to wear off
and the landlord relapsed into his nsu-
al ioyial style.
DO you know 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 very
nice gentleman he is" remarked sulli-
ran, inwardly thinking that he was
nothing of the sort.
rs 1t far from here2'
Only six miles. Follow the creek
and you can't miss 1t. | thought as
how you might be for Redmount. Per-
haps Mr.. Hall expects your"
Il don't know whether he does or he
doesn't" answered the stranger short
ly, and with the air of one who fancies
he is being pumped.
Just then supper was announced, and
Sullivan showed his guest the way into
the best parlor
Now | wonder what lay he's on,