Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-05-04
He went to the shed where he had

He went to the shed where he had feft
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 shorter course across the prai-
RE.
About an hour later he struck the trail
again on the crest of little hill, and
refined in his painting horse. Before him
the ground sloped away to the gully
or draw" known as Waterloo creek,
and just where the trail crossed the ra-
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 these
men he, had come to capture, single
handed, to save an enemyl
Nick dismounted and hung his reins
on his saddle horn. Hate to run you
into danger, old boy" he said, patting
the horses neck but I've got to keep
'em lookin' this way. Go home, old fell
low. Steady, now, and the horse walked
off down the trail Nick loosened his
big, jingling spurs, and threw them by
the roadside. Then he slipped away
down a small ravine which Joined the
creek just beyond the clump of will
lows.
Half an hour later Mr.. Mortenson
refined in his team near the crossing and
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 in
the hands of 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' EN- up"
Mortenson did as he was bid.
"Now you better load 'em onto your
blackboard an trot 'em back to town,
an thank yer lucky stars that l found
'em afore you did. Their guns Is under
the trees thar, some'ers, where they
dropped 'em. You'll find a couple OF
their pals hangin' out at BARRIERS, If ye
go keerful an don't skeer EN-"
Mortenson climbed to his seat and
took up the lines. mick" said he, in
husky voice, come into Willetts' about
two O'Clock tomorrow. We've got
something to settle with you"
There was a plenty Of gossip stirring
in Plainfield the following morning.
Squire Mortenson had come near be-
ing robbed and murdered, and Nick
Bentley, a man he had accused OF
"rustling" 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, 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 elbowed 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 stalked into the
store.
Then the president of the union arose
and made a 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 fit, 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. at was
you fellers that made me what am, a
gambler, by your Internal black-listin',
an not only me, but others. Thar's Jack
Mcclure, an Bill Sykes, an Terry
Sloane, Al hands, all Of 'em. an you
know it, 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 names
off your blacklist, or don't talk about
reward to me-"
It was scathing rebuke, and the dele
gates WINGED under it. One of them,
Mr.. Kirby, dapper little man with a
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, a 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. Itrose alike from cowboys and stock
men.
m0 am Hi1cf NmArG