The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1904-10-01
galloped away, leaving the trail and
taking a shorter course across the prai-

refined in his painting horse. Before him
the ground sIoped away to the gully
or draw" known as Wa erhole creek.
and just where the trail crossed the "a
vine stood thick bunch of willows. Be
meath these, as Nick well knew, were
hiding two or more desperate men-men
who would hesitate at nothing. we'll
armed and bent on robbery And tnese
men he had come to capture, s1nsls-
handed, to save an enemyI
Nick dismounted and hung his relna
on his saddle horn. Hate to run you
into danger, old boy" he said. patunG
the horses neck, "but I've got to keef
'em lookin' this way Go home, old Eel.
low. Steady. now, and the horse walked
off down the trail Nick loosened his
big, jingling spurs. and threw them p9
the roadside Then he slipped away
down small rayine which Joined the
creek just beyond the clump OF will
lows.
Half an hour later MIR. 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 a pair of huge revolvers, which
cleaned brightly in the moonlight II
the hands of a third man.
Mick Bentley. calculated Mortens
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 be was bid.
Now you better load 'em 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 couple Of
their pals hangin ont at BARRIERS, if ye
go Eeerfnl an don't skeer en-.
Mortenson climbed to his seat and
took up the lines. Nick said he, in
husky voice, 'eome into Willetts about
two O'Clock tomorrow. We've got
something to settle with YOU
There was q plenty of gossip stirring
in Plain6eld the following morning.
Squire Mortenson had come near be-
ing robbed and murdered, and Mich
Bentley, man he had accused OF
"rustliug" 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, rumoT said, the delegates 10 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 owhat
he would accept Some thought he
would take land; others, cattle, and still
others that ne would prefer cash re.
ward.
At haIf-past one the delegates arrived
and elbowed their way through the gath.
erlng crowd in front of Willetts'. 4 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 president Of the union arose
and made little speech. in which he
briefly stated the facts, and announced
that inasmueh as the union felt under
deep obligations to Nick, they were de-
sirous OF publicly rewarding him in
whatever way he saw fit, and requested
him to name his choice.
Nick s reply was something Of a sur
prise Well, gents, said he. You
might begin by givins me back what
you d no right to take away-my eharac-
ter
THE charge against You shall be with
drawn, of course, said Mortenson.
quickly.
THAT amt all, said Nick. st was
you felleFs that made me what am. a
gambler, by your internal blaek-listin' ,
an not only me, but others. Thar's Jack
MCGUIRE, an Bill Sykes, an Terry
Sloane Al hands, all of EN-. an you
knox ii workin' round at odd jobs at
starvation wages, because you black
listed 'em, an that fer next to nothin'
an We know that, too. Take their nam cs
off Your blacklist. or don't talk about
reward to me.
It was seathing rebnke. and the deIe-
gates WINGED under it, One of them, a
Mr. Kirby, a dapper little man with a
peppery temper. was the first TO speak.
THAT, said he, is aside from tie
question. That is not a matter for an
outsider to- NEEDLE with; the union has
settled that for ITSELF
Then, said Nick, Jest drop the sub
ject. a square deal all round or amt
Id your game.
A murmur arose, a Tnurmur of APPROX
al, for the man who had uttered the un-
selfish sentiment, and of resentment
toward the one who could not appreciate
1T It rose alike from cowboys and stock
men
Then the president spoke: mfr.
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 Won, endangered his
life to protect one OF our members, ane
to save the funds OF an association thai
had ill-used him. When we have Of
fered him reward he has asked fo.
nothing but justice, and that only Il Ii
could be shared by others. take Off nj
hat in the presence OF such character,
and acknowledge that |, for one, have
learned a mueh-neeeed and wholesome
lesson. Mr.. Bentley, 1t shall be as you
wish
RERNRARDT LIVES IN FORT.