Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-09-29
The Reclaiming
Of Nick Bentley
NJ A. C. CALDWELL
Copyright, 1901, By Daily story Pub. Co.,
"a ATICK" BENTLEY stalked into the
I'M "XLCR" saloon and slammed

the door behind him. The "barkeep
looked over at him and grinned a gri
that was intended to pass for blan
smile. Hello, Nick" said he, what
ye have this evening""
Nick neither turned his head no
looked up. His hat was jammed dow
over his eyes, and the visible part of hi
face wore a dark frown. He walked II
the stove, ran his hands deep into thu
pockets of his riding overalls and stood
looking at the floor
Three or four men were gathered at
card table near by. One of them glanced
up at Nick. Hello, Nick" said he; "sil
into the game?"
Cant said Nick, sourly; "I'm
broke"
"Broke!" echoed the crowd, and there
was a laugh. Come, Nick" said one,
banteringly; that's pretty good Joke.
Won't you tell the boys what you did
with that hundred or so you raked In
here night before last?"
"Or the little stack you lifted week
ago down to Barber's?" put in an
other
II see,' said Nick, in mock compass
sion. "You fellers set there with your
noses over them greasy, caliker backs
all day long, an don't get to hear no
news; so reckon I'll have to tell We.
First place, then, old Mortenson got
notion twas me that took them horses
he's been lookin' for; second place. he
told the court so; third place, the larned
jury said I'd have to stay round pretty
close till court met next summer, an
that 1t was case of put up or be shut up,
an as | don't care to board at the little
hotel with the high winders, had to
drop my wad. See?"
"You don't say!" said one. What a
shame" said another; and third said:
well. sit in anyhow, Nick; III stake
you"
mo" said Nick; don't want to play
I'm tired. Was up all last night. I'll
rest Bit an then go home" and he
threw down his coat for pillow, and
curled up on the floor behind the stove.
He did not know how long afterward
II was that he opened his eyes and
stared around His friends had left the
card table, and two others sat there. |
They were talking in low tones, and
the voices were strange to him. One
lamp still burned on the other side of
the room, but as he lay In the shadow
Of the stove the strangers were prob
ably unaware Of his presence.
"Yes," said one; hes got the money
On him, all right. You know, he's treas
urer for this Stockman's concern. Well,
hey turned over some funds to him to
put in the bank, an the bank bein'
closed, he Just took the wad home with
him. 'Twould be safe enough, he said:
nobody knew he had 1t. He'd bank 1t to-
The other man bit the end of of
:igar YES" said he; It'll be safe
,nough. Ha, ha, ha. He'll never get
,ast them willows on Waterhole creek I
With 1t, though. Them fellers down
here will see to that" He reached over
nd struck match on the stove, and as I
fickered up he caught sight Of Nick's '
oots. Hello" said he, in startled t
dice, whats this?"
The other made hurried investiga- d
on, but as Nick remained silent q
reathing heavily, he was apparently
eassured, "A drunk was his COM y
1ent Guess he's SAFE e
We can't take no chances though" a
'as the answer. HE might wake up. N
cts go down to Barber's," and the s
rangers got up and walked out. k
For some time Nick lay there in ST. 81
nee. "Luck's turned my way" was III
is first thought. They'll slug old al
ortenson, an then they'll be no pros Of
,ution, an my casell be dropped. II re
lem's the fellers that's been dom all
lie holdin' up round here lately they'll 60
2 no tales told when they get through NJ
18th him. All I've got to do is to keep pc
ILL.," ~
But keeping still did not prove SO easy, gu
ID in very short time he got up and on
alked out. There was light in the Sc
ore where Mortenson was In the habit
trading, and thither he went. There je,
learned that Mortenson had driven In
t about a quarter of an hour previous.
'lenty Of time to head him or" al,
ought Nick; then he stood moment SCI
esolute. to-
His grievance against Mortenson rose It.
in his mind, and with 1t, others. me
ice he had been an honest cowboy, :
W he was a gambler and roustabout, XII
king up living as best he might ser
what had brought him to 1t? This too
me Stockman's union, Of which Nor an
lson was a leading member, and whose VIII
'ney even then he (Nick) was plan life
lg 10 save. They had made him what to
was, and brought similar troubles to hat
lers that he knew, by their infamous fer
item of Establishing, which made not
Impossible for cowboy to get en- .ou
'yment again when discharged by hat
Of their number, for any offense, ant
viewer slight. ga,
he all came back to him, and be les,