The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1902-04-08
FOR TIL E LOVE OF A CHILD
(BY HI. CLEVELAND


"GeHtlemsn" Ell Z Blue Tuck, low
ed car cared for no woman King OF
all the gamblers that infested the
territory, immaculate indress
and speech, n Chesterfield even.
hen circumstances demanded that
he should kill, he turned his eyes
neither tn the right MOI the left for a
wonan's smile. The few thar entered
Blue Duck in its hest DAYS received
~" more attention from him Than did
Mrs. Garter when "Gentlemau" Ed
freed her from her hushai d under
circumstances which the code of the
frontier justified Yet, with the ex-
ception of The woiessi,n, This man
was all that Woman could have de.
sired. He neither swore nor drank
lie was scrupulous in his financial at.
iairs He was familiar was familiar
with the Greek and Latin, well vers-
ed with the English classics, and ex.
quesile performer un the guitar ar
flute, hurn horse mau aud as brave
man a. ever rode the range.
A child, though, could move the
heart of "GentIeman" Ed where
women aud men failed. There were
few children in Blue Duck and few.
er an ihe ranges that surround the
+ triement. But they all knew the
gambler king, and they loved him
with all the intensity that the child
putsinto It's FIRST passion. He was
the gentleman gallant" that never
in any JOY or woe. Many buster
lug morning ! have Looked out of the
peep h0ie in the frosted windows in
the shack worked in and watched
"Gcntlrman" Ell blowing through
the drifts tn the schonl house.
a child an each shoulder, ore on his
back and others clinging TO the tails
of his long fur coat They were
shouting, he laughing, aud tie SPEC
tacle was one for the gods of the bliz
card themselves TO enjoy. They
could not conquer this man.
After n. K. Hubbard established
his private bank in Blue Duck there
came to the town a man who repre-.
Sented financial interests. He brought
with him his wife and little daughter,
child Of eight years. The mother
stayed close nv the home. tor there
was no "socieiy" in Blue DUCK, the
father literally lived in the hank.
and the child r"mped where she
pleaFed and became special favoriie
of "Gentleman" Ed He sought no
recognition from the father or moth.
er. He was too proud, too we'll
aware OF his sIaIion, t. give him
single opportunity to make him feel
his moral unwmthness. They lived to
Themselves, condem,ng his character,
ashamed of Blue Duck anil its habits,
anxiousIy only to profit by its fuau
cial necessities, win their gain aud
depart.
The child kIew little e anything
If The fine distinctions drawn. IT.
took to Gentleman Ed because he
was inteusy human, because he knew
lis child heart, aud, Npoping down,
placed himself on its baby level T.
him al it's sorrows cOu Id he told, all
its triumphs recounred The parents
did all within their power to quietly
break up their intimacy, but wirhou
absolute shutting up the child they
could not prevent it, and Blue Duck
was with "Gcnileman" Ed on the
proposition Even uallv they accep
ed the situation, aud the child saw
her Knight whenever she chose
Once when she was III and kept to-
her room ino physician ia the com.
munity) the gambler rode fifty miles
to Shadow Bottoms, dragged The one
physician out Of his bed, mounted
him aid brought him back 20 EIuo
Duck and the child. The parents
made no sign asto this hut Blue
Duck 10 its wicked heart, rel jiced oy
er tho deed
Tho winter that Henry Ward
Bseehsr, Red Wolf and his Indian
brothers dog tunnels and passage
ways III the streets Of Blue Duck
willy nilly vas especially severe on
the children. Owing to the blizzard,
the school frequently closed, The
youngsters could not play outdoori
and home life palsd. Their momenu
only came when the sun shono, h,
vind was low, they could romp owe
the immense snow drifts. Then an,
only then, did "Gedllsman7 Ed hav,
opPnStuniiY % see The bankers Ittl
giFl ana gsceivs the rich affection %