Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-09-29

meath these, as Nick well knew, Wer
hiding two or more desperate men-mel
who would hesitate at nothing, well
armed and bent on robbery. And thes'
men he had come to capture, single
handed, to save an enemy!
Nick dismounted and hung his rein'
on his saddle horn. Hate to run yor
into danger, old boy" he said, pattine
the horses neck, but I've got to keer
em lookin' this way Go home, old fei'
low. Steady, now" and the horse walked
off down the trail. Nick loosened his
big, jingling spurs, and threw them by
the roadside. Then he slipped away
down 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 and
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 ii
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 EN- up"
Mortenson did as he was bid
Now you better load EN- onto your
blackboard an trot EN- back to town,
an thank yer lucky stars that found
'em afore you did Their guns is under
the trees thar, some'ers, where they
dropped EN-. You'll find a couple OF
their pals hangin out at Barber's, If 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 Plainfield the following morning.
Squire Mortenson 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
here was much speculation as to what
ne would accept. Some thought he
would take land; Others, cattle, and still
,thers that he would prefer a cash re-
ward
At half-past one the delegates arrived,
md elbowed their way through the gath
ring crowd In front Of Willetts' A lit
lie later Nick Bentley dismounted from
lie powerful gray, and threw his reins
N the ground, and the crowd fell back
as he stalked into the
tore :
Then the president of the union arose :
nd made little speech, in which he
riefy stated the facts, and announced
hat inasmuch as the union felt under
eep obligations to Nick, they were de-
Irous of publicly rewarding him In
hatever way he saw fit, and requested
i'm to name his choice. !
Nick's reply was something of a sur !,
rise. well, gents" said he, "you
light begin by givin me back what
ou'd no right to take away-my charac- -
r."
1.-THE charge against you shall be with =,
avn, of course" said Mortenson, =,
lickly. :.
THAT amt all, said Nick. ut was :,
III fellers that made me what am, a n
mbler, by your Internal black-listin', =,
: not only me, but others. Thar's Jack -
cGuire, an Bill Sykes, an Terry y.
oane, AL hands, all of EN-. an you -,
ow 1t, workin round at odd jobs at -
lrvation wages, because you black =,
ted 'em, an that fer next to nothin' =.
ye know that, too. Take their names =,
your blacklist, or don't talk about =.
ward to me-" a.
It was scathing rebuke and the dele ~
tes WINGED under 1t. One of them, a =.
Kirby, dapper little man with a ~,
,pery temper, was the first to speak. "
hat" said he, 'fs aside from the :.
.stion. That is not a matter for an Al
slider to NEEDLE with; the union has
tied that for ITSELF" III
Then" said Nick, "jest drop the sub
t. A square deal all round or amt
your game"
! murmur arose, murmur Of APPROX
for the man who had uttered the I'M ire
ifish sentiment, and Of resentment ool
ard the one who could not appreciate IN
1t rose alike from cowboys and stock
!. ha'
hen the president spoke: "Mr. pm 81,
by" he said, you do not voice the ~
timents Of the union as they stand a..
ny. Gentlemen" raising his voice u na
addressing the crowd, this man a. -"
, stands before you, endangered his ~,
to protect one of our members, and ~
ava tho ft1da ~ N aeoanlnk1o. 49, ~