Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-27
CHAPTER TX.
Charley Davenport's Funeral.


Vaughan led the two miners around to the
side door and into the study. where ne lit
his one lamp and begged them to be seated
on two chairs which he brought from the
church. The light shone on their red shirts
blue overalls and heavy boots and on their
rough anxious faces.
What can l do for your" asked the
preacher kindly.
They glanced at each other. and the man
who had first spoken began hesitatingly
We see. Charley Davenport's handed in his
checks and dropped out of the game, and
the boys want him planted in fine style.
Jim and me here's a committee TO see II
you will do the job-'way up in G.,
That's it. BILL way up In G. echoed the
other miner
Way up in c. repeated Vaughan. Il
don't quite understand. What has Mr..
Davenport done? And what do you want
me TO do?"
Don't YOU savveyo" exclaimed Bill with
come Impotence "Charley's dropped out
on the game, petered out. gone up the
nume. passed over the Diyide-damn it,
amt that clear?'
Jim.
Oh I thInl. begin TO understand said
Vaughan. slowly. Mr.. Davenports dead
and you want me TO bury hiH-is that IL?
That's 1t, you've tumbled. said Bill.
That's 1t. you've tum'bed." echoed the
other member of the committee.
We want a little business at the church
and some more at the grave. That's where
you wanter q yer hollerin! Have plenty
q siugin the reel techin kind. Two
O'Clock sharp.
After a few more instructions the COM
mittee took their leave and Vaughan hur-
ried over to Jack Perry's for information
lie found both Jack and Mat there and re-
tired with them to one OF the small rooms
where they would be free from interruption
4 understand the deceased was a mem
-r.,zf too inH
cret societies and the like" he began, TAX
ing a notebook and pencil from his
pocket.
Yes. Charley was into everything. said
Jack He was Knight of Pytnias. l. O.:
O. f and A Q. Z. W, G. F., K. T., II. and
X. and lots OF others.
''Youn have TO tell me what these letters
signify, said the Methodist, wiring puSily
In his notebook.
Jack and Mat explained There were ten
societies of which Charley Davenport had
been distinguished member.
And they'll all turn out, said Jack.
It's goin' 10 be the biggest send-of ever
got up IN Eureka
Did Mr. Davenport leave any children
Vaughan inquired. pencil poised in afr.
They do say that youngest kid Of McIn-
tyres" began Mat, but Jack interrupted
him
"Parson don't mean that" he said
frowning. mo. Charley didn't leave any
children"
lis there a widow asked Vaughan
They don't go by that name" replied
JACK. grirnly.
Vaughan shook his head distrustfully
What were some of Mr. Davenport $
characteristics2 He seems to have had a
great many friends he pursued. still feel
ing about for some shred OF material out of
which he could weave the eulogistic sermon
he felt quite sure that he would be called
upon to preach.
He was dead on the trigger said
Jack, approYingly.
And could cuss a. man into hell the quick
es, of anybody In town" added Mat.
Except Dick" said Jack.
"Oh. Dicks got lot OF words" said
Mat but he don't use EN- the way Char
ley could
'.He was COOL" said Jack.
Cool" cried Mat His face was like a
stun eemage.
yes" said Jack, there wasn't no one
could tell whether re was going up or
down He was on TO his job. all right"
What was his busness?" inquired
Vaughan inpatiently.
''oh. he follered the races, some" Jack
replied cautiously.
mot Z amount TO nothin'. Jack" inter-
posed Mat. He 'huekea the tiger par
son, that's what he did. There amt a
miner nor a cowboy In Eureka butts met
Charley Davenport over the cards. What's
the matter. parson?" For Vaughan, with
leaves of The notebook on which he had
been writing. had rolled them into a wad
and thrown them under the table.
"Uncleany profane? dishonest?" he
summed up. What can / say in praise OF
such q man?'
Omit flowers eh?' queried Jack with a
grin. After all. Charley wasn't bad