Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-03-02
The spot was but step from hadss; but

The spot was but step from hades, bat
great place for much coming and going and
hearing the news; and then twas near the
shipyard off which lay the Phantom Never
a day passed without one broil, and often
two or three, most of them ending in more
or less bloodshed, and one of them put
stop to the life ] 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. l was half doing un-
der locust in the tavern yard when l be-
came conscious that two men had but Just
settled themselves at 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 dress cross betwixt soldier and
civilian. Like the officer, he wore sword,
but I could see no more of him than the
| broad of his back.
Using bat the tail of my eye, / marked
| them begin Q game of cards for stakes, for
could hear the clash of coin, and after a
hand or two he of the back spoke.
"Does Clinton know the MANI"
NAY, but he knows of him and what be
| has done" was the answer. az was told
| last night that he has been about There's
! 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 moment or two
as the officer drew in stake and dealt the
cards.
81 wish 1 could get fingers on this same
kings cash." the unknown remarked.
| "Card-playing for shillings is small truck for
i n and va haua Ia Il oil he I,,ol
| / pass myself off, dye think, an do the
work instead O. the chap yer after?'
| Nay, you're no sailor, and have hut a
| shady record for pluck"
Then it's sailor you wanti As for
shades an records, tits but case O. the pot
| an kettle! It's the way We naval chaps
| have of robbing a man of an honest iivingi
Now I've lost time with We because L fam
cied I scented cash. All last night 1 won
| nothing save sore head for this morning.
Come! we but stave me off from the job.
| Play, then, for something save shillings and
crowns an thin wine. I'm sick of it, Pn
| lay ye the pound We offered on the better O.
| three hands, an then quit, win or lose"
| ''God knows I'm willing to quit" was the
return. Give played all night and am
tagged. I'll play you the pound for the
| last" And the officer yawned as he tossed
the cards to his opponent.
| Now l knew this to be nothing less than
the trick of blackleg. To lose on shillings
and win on pounds was common prac-
tice with them, it is to this day. The
officer must have been green not to have
seen through it, but had little sympathy
for anyone wearing the scarlet, and, in
| truth, was interested in seeing how the
game would be played and possibly hearing
more of ScammelI.
| Doubtless I had been taken for drunk
en- drover as | sat with my chin on my chest
and my chair tilted against the tree; any.
way, they gave me no notice.
ITO BE Continued