Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-10-27
The RecIaiming
Of Nick Bentley
By A. c. CALDWELL


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booked over at him and grinned grin
that was intended to pass for bland
smile. Hello, Nick" said he, "what'll
ye have this evening""
Nick neither turned his head nor
looked up. His hat was jammed down
over his eyes, and the visible part OF his
face wore a dark frown. He walked to
the stove, ran his hands deep into the
pockets of his riding overalls and stood
looking at the floor.
Three or four men were gathered at a
card table near by. One Of them glanced
up at Nick. Hello, Nick" said he; sit
into the gamer"
Cant" said Nick, sourly; I'm
broke"
"Broke!" echoed the crowd, and there
was laugh. Come, Nick" said one,
banteringly; that's a pretty good joke.
Wont you tell the boys what you did
with that hundred or so you raked In
here night before last?"
"Or the little stack you lifted week
ago down to Barber's?" put In an
other.
81 see," said Nick, in mock compass
sion. "You fellers set there with your
noses over them greasy, caliker-backs
all day long, an don't get to hear no
news; so I reckon III have to tell ye.
First place, then, old Mortsnson got
notion twas me that took them horses
he's been lookin' for; second place, he
told the court so; third place, the larned
Jury said I'd have to stay round pretty
close till court met next summer, an
that 1t was q case Of put up or be shut up,
an as I don't care to board at the little
hotel with the high winders, had to
drop my wad. Sect"
you don't sayI" said one What a
shame" said another; and third said:
well, sit In anyhow, Nick; I'll stake
you"
no" said Nick; don't want to play.
I'm tired. Was up all last night. I'll
rest bit. an then go home" and he
threw down his coat for a pillow, and
curled up on the floor behind the stove.
He did not know how long afterward
1t was that he opened his eyes and
stared around. His friends had left the
card table, and two others sat there.
They were talking In low tones, and
the voices were strange to him. One
lamp still burned on the other side OF
the room, but as he lay In the shadow
Of the stove, the strangers were prob
ably unaware Of his presence.
YES" said one; hes got the money
on him, all right You know. he's treas
urer for this Stockman's concern. Well,
they turned over some funds to him to
put in the bank, an the bank bein
closed. he just took the wad home with
him. Twould be safe enough, he said;
NOBODY knew he had It. He'd bank it to- |
moraer."
The other man bit the end on Of a
cigar. YES" said he; 'itll be safe
enough. Ha, ha, ha- He'll never get |
past them willows on Waterhole creek
with it, though. Them fellers down !
there will see to that" He reached over |
and struck a match on the stove, and as
1t flickered up he caught sight Of Nick's |
boots. Hello" said he, In startled
voice, whats this?"
The other made hurried investiga-
ton, but as Nick remained silent,
breathing heavily, he was apparently
treasured. "a drunk" was his COM
ment Guess he's safe"
1--WE can't take no chances, though"
was the answer "He might wake up.
Let's go down to Barber's," and the
strangers got up and walked out.
For some time Nick lay there in ST.
lence. "Luck's turned my way" was
his first thought They'll slug old
Mortenson, an then they'll be no pros
ecution, an, my case'll be dropped. II
them's the feller's that's been dom all
the holdin' up round here lately they'll
be no tales told when they get through |
with him. All I've got to do is to keep
still"
But keeping still did not prove so easy,
and in very short time he got up and
walked out There was light In the
store where Mortenson was In the habit
Of trading, and thither he went. There
he learned that Mortenson had driven
out about quarter of an hour previous.
PLENTY of time to head him off,"
thought Nick; then he stood a moment
irresolute.
His grievance against Mortenson rnpe
up in his mind, and with 1t, others.
Once he had been an honest cowboy,
now he was a gambler and roustabout,
picking up living as best he might.
and what had brought him to It? This
same Stockman's union, Of which Nor
tenson was leading member, and whose
money even then he (Nick) was plan
ming to save. They had made him what
he was, and brought similar troubles to
others that he knew, by their infamous
system of Establishing" which made
1t impossible for cowboy to get en-
plbyment again when discharged by
one of their number, for any offense,
however slight.
This all came back to him, and he
smiled bitterly. Then he threw up his
head, settled his big hat firmly upon it,
and strobe down the street Cant help
it." he said to himself 'T'll play
a square game, II they haven't. won't
see a man downed without fair shake
If he has played me low"
He went to the shed where he had left
his horse, and led him out He frightened
his cinches, carefully examined his big
Colts six-shooters, then mounted and
galloped away, leaving the trail and
taking shorter course across the prai-
RE.
About an hour later he struck the trail
again on the crest Of little hill, and
refined in his painting horse. Before BIN
the ground sloped away to the gully
or draw" known as Waterhole creek,
and just whore the trail crossed the ra-
vine stood thick bunch Of willows. Be-
meath these, as Nick we'll knew, were
hiding two or more desperate men-men