The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1904-09-23
TheReclaiming
Of Nick Bentley
By A. G. CALDWELL
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. co.,

ssATICK" BENTLEY stalked into the
III "XLCR" saloon and slammed
the door behind him. The @barkeep"
looked over at him and grinned grin
that was intended Ito pass for bland
smile. Hello, Nick" said he, "Whatll
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 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
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.
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 a 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-backs
all day long, an don't get to hear no
news; SO | reckon I'll have to tell ye.
First place, then, old Mortenson got
notion twas me that took them horses
J@o ~ 70 y,1o hn
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, l had to
drop my wad. See?"
'You don't say." said one What a
shame" said another; and third said:
well, sit in anyhow, Nick; I'll stake
you" za
NO said Nick; don't want to play.
I'm tired. Was UP all last night. I'll
rest a 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
it 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-
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
past them willows on Waterhole creek
with it. though Them fellers down
there will see to that" He reached over
and struck match on the stove, and as
it f1ickered 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
reassured. "a drunk" was his COM
ment. "Guess he's SAFE"
I'VE 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.
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