Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-08
heReclain1ing of Nick Bentley
By A. c. CALDWELL
tcopyrisht. 1904. by Daily Story Pub. Col


 ye have this evenin'?"
 Nick neither turned his head nor looked up. His hat was damned 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"
 Can't" said Nick, sourly; "I'm broke"
 .Broke!" echoed the crowd, and there was laugh. Come, Nick" " said one, banteringly; that's pretty good joke Won't 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.
 ''I see." said Nick, in mock compass sion. You fellers set there with your noses over them greasy, caliker-back all day long, an don't get to hear no news; so reckon I'll have to tell ye. First place, then, old Mortengon got a 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 it was case of put up or be shut up, an as don't care to board at the little hotel with the high winders, had to drop my wad. See?"
 ''You don't say!" said one. What 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 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 afound. 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; 'he's 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- morrer."
 The other man bit the end off of a cigar "Yes," said he; "it'll be safe enough. Ha, ha, ha, He'll never get with 1t, though. Them fellers down there will see to that" He reached over and struck match on the stove, and as 1t f1ickered up he caught sight of Nick's boots. Hello" said he, in a startled voice, whats this?"
 The other made hurried investiga- ton, but as Nick remained silent breathing heavily, he was apparently reassured. "A drunk" was his com ment. Guess he's safe"
 '.We can't take no chances, though;' was the answer. "EIe 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 si- ! lence. "Luck's turned my way" was 1 his first thought. They'll slug old Mortenson, an then they'll be no pros ecution, an my case'll be dropped. If l them's the feller's that's been doin' all l 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 l 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 a quarter of an hour previous. 4 "Plenty of time to head him of, 2 thought Nick; then he stood moment irresolute.
 5. His grievance against Mortenson rose up in his mind, and with 1t, others. Once he had been an honest cowboy, now he was gambler and roustabout, picking up living as best he might, and what had brought him to 1t? This same Stockman's union, of which Mor- tenson was a leading member, and dwhose l 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 "black-listing.." which made J it impossible for cowboy to get em- pIoyment 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 1t, and strode down the street. Cant help it." he said to himself t'I'll play square game, if they haven't. won't see 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 bis Colts six-shooters, then mounted and galloped away, leaving the trail and l