Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-10-27

| gleamed brightly In the moonlight In
| the hands of a 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 ye? They're tired Of
holdin' 'em up"
Mortenson did 81 he was bid.
Now You better load 'em onto your
blackboard an trot 'em back to town.
an thank yer lucky stars that found
'em afore you did. Their guns is under
the trees thar, soms'ers, where they
dropped 'em. You'll find couple Of
their pals hangin' out at Barber's, If ye
go keeEful an don't skeer EN-"
Mortenson climbed to his seat and
took up the lines. Mick" said he, in
husky voice, "oome 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, q man he had accused Of
"rustling" had saved him. Four des-
perate men, whose liberty had been
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 slbowed 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 Liked into the
store.
Then the president Of the union arose
and made q little speech, in which he
briefly stated the facts, and announced |
that inasmuch as the union felt under |
deep obligations to Nick, they were de- |
sirous Of publicly rewarding him In
whatever way he saw At, 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"
'The charge against you shall be with
drawn, Of course" said Mortenson.
quickly.
THAT amt ALL" said Nick. TT was
you fellers that made me what am, q
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
know It. workin' round at odd Jobs At
starvation wages, because you black
listed 'em, an that fer next to nothin'
an ye know that, too. Take their names
off your blacklist, or don't talk about
reward to me-"
It was a scathing rebuke and the dele
gates WINGED under 1t. One Of them,
Mr. Kirby, dapper little man with
peppery temper, was the first to speak.
THAT" said he, is aside from the
question. That is not 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
in your game"
A murmur arose, murmur Of APPROX
al, for the man who had uttered the I'M
selfish sentiment, and of resentment
toward the one who could not appreciate
It. It rose alike from cowboys 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 mem bers, and
to save the funds of an association that
had ill-used him. When We have Of
fered him a reward he has asked for
but justice, and that only If 1t
could be shared by others take of my
hat in the presence Of such character,
and acknowledge that 1, for one, have
learned a much-needed and wholesome
lesson. Mr. Bentley, It shall be as you
wish"