The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-01-20
TheReclaiming
Of Nick Bentley
By 4. c. CALDWELL
CcOpyrishs. 1904, By Daily story Pub. oO.I

ye have this eyenin'?"
Nick neither turned his head mol
looked up. His hat was jammed dowI
over his eyes, and the visible part OF hi
face wore a dark frown. He walked tC
the stovevfan bis hands deep into III,
pockets .ofsAis riding overslls and stood
looking at the floor.
Three OF four men we're gathered at q
tard table near by. One of them glanced
up at Nick. Hello. Nick" said he; "slt
into the gamer"
Cant" said Nick, sourly; "I'n
broke"
"broke!" echoed the crowd. and thert
was a laugh. Come. Nick" said one
banteringly; that's a pretty good Joke
Won't you tell the boys what you die
with that hundred or 30 you raked IN
here night before last?"
"Or the little stack you lifted a week
ago down to Barber's" put In an
other
Il see" said Nick. in mock compass
sion you fellers set there with your
noses over them greasy, caliker-b backs
all day long. an don't get to hear nc
news; so reckon I'll have to tell ye
First place. then. old Mortenson got Q
notion twas me that took them horses
he's been lookin' for; second place, be
told the court so; third place the larned
jury said I'd have 10 stay round pretty
close till court met next summer, an
that 1t was case ofput up or be shut up
an as l don't care to board at the little
hotel with the high winders. l had to
drop my wad. See?"
you don't say!" said one. What Q
shame" said another; and third said:
well. sit in anyhow. Nick; I'll stake
you"
mo" said Nick; don't want to play.
I'm tired. Was up all last night. I'll
rest a bit. an then go home" and be
threw down his coat for pillow, and
curled up on the floor behind the stove.
He did not know how long afterward
It 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 we're 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.
they 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, be said;
nobody knew he hadi Il He'd bank It to-
morrer."
The other man bit the end Of Of q
cigar. Yes" said he; It'll be safe
enough. Ha. ha, ha He'll never get
past them willows on Waterhole creek
with It. though. Them fellers down
there will see to that" He reached over
and struck match on the stove, and as
# flickered up he caught sight OF Nick's
boots. Hello" said he, in a startled
voice, whats this?"
The other made a hurried investiga-
tion, but as Nick remained silent,
breathing heavily, he was apparently
"A drunk" was his COM
ment. Guess he's safe"
I'VE can't take no chances. though"
was the answer. "He might wake up.
Let's go down to Barber's." and the
strangers got up and walked out
For some time Nick lay there In ST.
ience. "Luck's turned my way" was
his first thought They'll slug old
biortenson. an then they'll be no pros
ecution, an my case'll be dropped. II
them's the feller's that's been doin' all
the holdin' up round here lately they'll
be no tales told when they get through
with him. All I've got to DO is TO keep
still"
But keeping still did not prove so easy.
and in very short time he got up and
walked out There was light in the
store where Mortenson was In the habit
OF trading, and thlther he went There
he learned that Mortenson had driven
out about a quarter of an hour previous.
PLENTY of time TO head him on"
thought Nick; then he stood moment
His grievance against Mortenson rose
up in his mind. and with II, others.
Once he had been an honest cowboy,
now he was a gambler and roustabout,
picking up living as best he might.
and what had brought him TO III This
same Stockmsn's union, OF which Nor
tenson was a leading member, and whose
money even then he (Niek) was plan
ming to save. They had made him what
he was. and brought similar troubles to
others that he knew. by their Infamous
system Of "black-listing," which made
It impossible for a cowboy to get en-
ployment again when discharged by
one Of their number. for any offense,
however slight d.
This all came back to him, and he
smiled bitterly. Then he threw up his
head, settled his big hat firmly upon II,
and strobe down the street Cant help
IT," he said to himself an play
a square game. II they haven't | won't
see a man downed without fair shake
If he has played me low"
He went to the shed where he had left
his horse, and led him out He tightened
his cinches, carefully examined his big
Colts six-shooters, then mounted and
galloped away. leaving the trail and
taking a shorter course across the prai-
rie.
About an hour later he struck the trail
again on the crest Of little HILL and
reined in his painting horse. Before him
he ground sloped away to the gully
IT draw" known as Waterhole creek,
Ind Just where the trail crossed the ra-
vine stood a thick bunch OF willows. Be
heath these, as Nick well knew. were
hiding two or more desperate men-meh
Who would hesitate at nothing, we'll