Cañon City record., 1904-01-28
The Trouble With Dan.


made the cutters run. A saturatns
night, deceptive to the eye aud br.lG
ing woe to those unguardcd sous wnC
braved its seeming mild.iesS s,c.nu-
umbrella or macintosh
In the house of Finch Macoinber al
was hospitality and cheer. The vo.EINc
of many cordial voices mingliug with
the strains of the city's choicest orchcs-
ira poured oct into the gloom as the
doors opened to admit well covered
figures whose somber wrappings gave
little hint of the rich apparel beneath.
She who a half hour ago was Jus
tina Macomber, now to be known ms
Mrs. Almon Hartwell, stood, bright
eyed and smiling. by her husband's :
side. Her hand ached fSom many fet'-
vent grasps; her round cheeks blushcd
from many kisses, welcome and other
wise. She longed for the moment
when escape would be hers, and with
Almon's arm about her they nigh.
hear the shutting of another carringc
door and speed away upon life's happy
journey.
The man at the door was still busy.
although that Iull had come between
general arrival and departure. At first
his broad, clean shaven face had borne
a grin of polite welcome. Now 1t was
grave and worried, and he glanced fire.
uuently over his shoulder TO scan the
throng crowding the rooms behind.
Many knew the old family indoor
man and nodded at him familiarly.
wondering at his perturbed look Then
his mistress came up.
Whats the trouble. Dan? Tired
out?"
mo. num-
Anything go wrongT
"No. mum: but there's a-many people
here. Most of 'em I know. Some of
'em 1 don't. I'm frettin' lest you may
have somethin' stole, num-"
Mrs Macomber chuckled There
isn't the slightest danger. Dan. What
with an officer watching the presents
and detective keeping his eye OF,
things, we needn't worry. guess.
Why don't you go now and get bit to
eat and a cup of coffee? You haven't
sat down since morning. I'll tell Mary
TO take your place"
"No. mum' Not till they're all gone.
num-
You're foolish said the lady and
moved away.
.Mayber' muttered the old man.
leaning one thick shoulder against the
wall. 1.-The bobby's a weary boy he's
told me. Three nights now and not
sleepin' well. Dan he says to me
this noon. 4 dread the evenin. 'Tis
hard for one pair of eyes to cover
mob. Two of us Is one too few, says
he, but Mr. Macomber gives me the
grand laugh, and I'll have to tend bar
alone And it's SO.
.'The detective? A needle in hay
stack! oh, WELL there'l prob'iy be
nothin' happen. All, but to think of
Miss Tina a-lavin' us. And to stop and
kiss old Dan goodby when she starts
for the church, all in her weddin' gown
like the angel she is. A baby when l
first come twenty year ago to work on
the hosscs. Liked me, she did, and
twas Dan, Danr till was like nurse
gal and in the house helpin'. And me.
three months after ring fight. Twas
time | quit; too old. too old. Lucky
I've been to get where | am and no
one suspectin'. Still. twas an honest
trade, and only now and then I'd meet
a man. A waiter. coachman, train
er, fighter, n hostler, nurse ral-he
-he-and now n nice respectable old
butler man mindin' the door and every.
thing else Sure, It's a curious round.
a bloomin' queer one. Father Yam
kee, mother English, me born in Aus
tralia, brought up in Frisco. fit In Kan.
sas City and now for twenty year
New Yorker, decent and layin' up coin.
Dan, you're not a bad sort 10 do so well
by your gray hairs"
These reflections, cut short by a
burst Of shouting mirth, rush OF feet,
a shower of rice and n flying slipper.
changed to swift attention. Dan closed
the portal after the fleeing couple and
watched the scattering to the dressing
rooms, for the exodus was at hand.
The crowd began to thin with Dams
rapid dispositions. A heavy set man.
with his overcoat collar high turned TO
his ears, pressed close upon the heels
Of the Drayton party. There was
sudden stoppage. Dams watchful eye
narrowed sharply. The old servants
hand stole cautiously up the back OF
the overcoat beside him to touch the
hair and lift it slightly with an unfelt
finger.
wig" he growled to himself, "and
cropped! By
"RigLt alongE' sounded his pleasant
call, and with the movement his foot
went out. The gentleman beside him
stumbled and clicked his teeth with
an exclamation
BEG pardonw said the butler and
caught him gently around the body,
but with ! Is that rnn searchingly
and pressed on curious hard knobs.
go on, please" entreated Dan calm