The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-01-02

The spot was but step fran hades, bat
a great place for much coming and going and
hearing the news; and then twas near the
shipyard of which lay the Phantom. Never
day passed without one broil, and often
two or three, most of them ending in more
or less bloOdshed and one of them put a
stop to the life I was then leading.
/ mind me it was on a cloudy Saturday
forenoon early in August, though through
the wet in the air and the yelled heat every
pore oozed as if one had raced. There had
been but few about. / was half doing I'M
der locust in the tavern yard when ! be-
came conscious that two men had but Just
settled themselves at a small table near me,
and was thoroughly Weakened by hearing the
name Of "Scammell' in connection with
some matter they had been discussing.
One was a boyish-looking naval officer,
seated with his face toward me, the other
being in a dress cross betwixt a soldier and
civilian. Like the officer, he wore a sword.
but 1 could see no more of him than the
broad of his back
Using bit the tail of my eye, l marked
them begin game of cards for stakes, for !
could near the clash of coin, and after a
| hand or two he of the back spoke.
docs Clinton know the MANI"
NAY but he knows of him and what he
has done" was the answer. Il was told
! last night that ne has been about. There's
| something afoOt outside, and he'll be need
| ed. It's a wonder he has not turned up for
another job; Clinton is liberal with the
/ kings cash. I'll give you a pound to find
| him"
There was silence for a moment or two
as the officer drew in a stake and dealt the
cards.
Il wish could get fingers on this same
! kings cash." the unknown remarked
! "Card-playing for shillings is small truck fol
/ a man, and We have lad all the luck. Could
] ] pass myself off, dye think, an do til,
! work instead O the chap yer after?"
Nay, you're no sailor, and have but {
shady record for pluck"
| ''Then It's a sailor you want As fol-
! shades an records, It's but a case o the POI
| an kettle It's the way We naval chap.
! have of robbing a man of an honest living
! Now I've lost time with We because l fan
cied | scented cash. All last night 1 Won
nothing save & sore head for this morning
Comel We but stave me off from the job
| Play, then, for something save shillings anC
crowns an thin wine. Pm sick of it. II
| lay We the pound ye offered on the better o
! three hands, an then quit, win or lose"
God knows I'm willing to quilt" was tn,
return. I've played all night and an
tagged. I'll play You the pound for tn,
last" And the officer yawned as he tossed
the cards to his opponent.
Now | knew this to be nothing less thar
the trick of blackleg. To lose on shilling
and win on pounds was a common prac
tice with them, as it is to this day. Tn,
officer must have been green not to hav,
seen through it, but had little sympathy
for anyone wearing the scarlet, and, il
truth, was interested in seeing how thu
game would be played and possibly hearin,
more of Scammell.
Doubtless l had been taken for a drunk
en- drover as l sat with my chin on my ehes
and my chair tilted against the tree; any
way, they gave me no notice.
CTo BE Continued