The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-01-20

/ reined 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 pair Of huge revolvers which
cleaned 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 as he was nd.
Nov you better load EN- 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, some'ers, where they
dropped EN-. You'll find a couple Of
their pals hangin' out at BARRIERS. If We
go keerful an don't skeer EN-"
Mortenson climbed TO his seat and
took up the lines. Mick. said he, in a
husky voice, come into w1iletts' about
two O'Clock tomorrow. We've got
something to settle with you"
There was plenty Of gossip stirring
In Plainheld 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
menace to the stockmen. had been ar
rested. and this. too, was due to Nick.
Now, rumor said, the delegates to the
local Stockmans union were to meet
the hero Of the hour that afternoon at
Willetts' store, ready to reward MIN,
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 a 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 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 fit. and requested
him to name his choice.
Nick's reply was something Of a sur
prise. well. gents" said he. you
might begin by givin' me back what
you'd no right to takeaway-my charac-
ter"
THE charge against you shall be with
drawn, OF course" said Mortenson,
quickly.
THAT amt all, said Nick. ut was
you fellers that made me what am,
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 II, 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
of your blacklist or don't talk about
reward to me-"
1t was a scathing rebuke, and the dele
gates WINGED under II. One Of them, a
Mr.. Kirby, a 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, lest drop the sub
ject. A square deal all round OF amt
in your game"
A murmur arose, a murmur Of approx
a. for the man who had uttered the un-
selfish sentiment, and of resentment
toward the one who could not appreciate
II. Itrose 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 members, 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
nothing but justice and that only If it
could be shared by others. take of my
hat In the presence Of such character,
and acknowledge that /, for one. have
learned a much-needed and wholesome
lesson. Mr.. Bentley, It shall be as you
wish"