St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-10-15
galloped away, leaving the tail and
taking q shorter course across the prai-

refined in his painting horse. Before him
the ground sloped away to the gully
or draw" known as Wa crhole creek.
and just where the trail crossed the "a.
vine stood a thick bunch of willows. Be-
meath these, as Nick we'll knew, were
hiding two or more desperate men-men
who would hesitate at nothing, well"
armed and bent on robbery. And these
men he had come to capture, single
handed, to save an enemy!
Nick dismounted and hung his reins
on his saddle horn. Hate to run you
into danger, old boy" he said. patting
the horses neck, but I've got to keep
'em lookin' this way. Go home, old fel'
low. Steady, now" and the horse walked
off down the trail. Nick loosened his
big, jingling spurs, and threw them b!
the roadside. Then he slipped away
down a small ravine which Joined the
creek just beyond the clump OF will
| lows
| Half an hour later Mr.. Mortenson
/ refined in his team near the crossing anc
| stared in surprise at the sight before
| him. Two masked men stood beside
| the road, with their hands held high
| above their heads and their eyes fixed
| on pair of huge revolvers, which
| cleaned brightly in the moonlight in
the hands Of third man.
Mick Bentley!" CALCULATED Morten.
son, as his eyes fell upon the latter.
"At yer service, squire" was the cool
| reply. Jest step down and fasten the
gents hands, will We? They're tired OF
holdin' 'em up"
| Mortenson did as he was bid.
Now you better load 'em onto your
| blackboard an trot EN- back to town
an thank yer lucky stars that l found
'em afore you did Their guns is under
| the trees thar, some'ers, where they
dropped EN- Youth find couple OF
! their pals hangin' out at Barber's. II ye
go keerful an don't skeer EN-"
| Mortenson climbed to his seat and
took up the lines. Mick" said he. in
husky voice, come into Willetts' about
two O'Clock tomorrow. We've got
something to settle with you"
There was plenty of gossip stirring
! in Plaintield the following morning
Squire MorteDsen had come near be-
ing robbed and murdered, and Nick
Bentley, man he had accused OF
"rustling" had saved him. -Four des-
| perate men. whose liberty had been a
menace to the stockmen, had been ar
rested, and this, too. was due to Nick.
Now, rumor said, the delegates to the
| local Stockman's union were to meet
the hero of the hour that afternoon at
Willetts' store, ready to reward him.
generously, in true western style, in
whatever way he might choose, and
there was much speculation as to what
he would accept. Some thought he
would take land; others, cattle, and still
others that he would prefer cash re.
| ward.
| At half-past one the delegates arrived.
and eEbowed their way through the gath.
ering crowd in front of Willetts'. A lit
tie later Nick Bentley dismounted from
his powerful gray, and threw his reins
on the ground, and the crowd fell back
| respectfully as he stalked into the
store.
Then the presiden. of the union arose
and made little speech, in which he
briefly stated the facts, and announced
| that inasmEch as the union felt under
| deep obligations to Nick, they were de-
sirous of publicly rewardtng him in
whatever way he saw fit, and requested
him to name his choice.
Nick's reply was something of sur
prise Well, gents" said he, you
might begin by givin' me back what
you'd no right to take away-my charac-
ter"
1.-THE charge against you shall be with
drawn, Of course said Mortenson
quickly.
THAT amt ALL" said Nick. ut was
you fellers that made me what am. a
gambler, BY your Internal black-listin' /.
an not only me, but others. Thar's Jack
Mcclure, an Bill Sykes, an Terry
| Sloane. Al hands, all of 'em. an you
| know IT, workin' round at odd jobs at
| starvation wages, because you black
| listed EN- an that fer next to nothin'
| an We know that, too. Take their names
| off your blacklist, or don't talk about
| reward TO me-
1t was scathing rebuke. and the dele
gates WINGED under it. One of them, a
| Mr.. Kirby, dapper little man with a
| peppery temper, was the first to speak.
| That" said he, lis aside from tie
| question. That is not matter for an
outsider to NEEDLE with; the union has
! settled that for itself"
Then" said Nick, lest drop the sub
! 1ect. A square deal all round or amt
| in your game"
A murnur arose. a murmur of approx
| al, for the man who had uttered the I'M
| toward the one who could not appreciate
it. 1t rose alike from COW boys and stock
men.
Then the president spoke: ''Mr.
| Kirby he said, you do not voice the
sentiments of the union as they stand
today. Gentlemen" raising his voice
and addressing the crowd, this man
who stands before you, endangered his
| life to protect one of our members, anc
| to save the funds of an association that
| had ill-used him. When we have Of
| fered him a reward he has asked TO:
nothing but justice. and that only II /,
could be shared by others take off my
hat in the presence Of such a character,
and acknowledge that l, for one, have
learned much-neeted and wholesome
lesson. Mr.. Bentley, it shall be az you
wish"