The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1906-03-22
TheReclaiming
Of Nick Bentley
Coopyrlrl. ipc. b. p.Ily s,ory P.b- Col
81 lex" BENTLEY stalked into tn,
M "XLCR" saloon and slammed

the door behind him. The "bsrksep'
looked over at him and erinned q grin
that was intended to pass for bland
smile. Hello, Nick" said he, 'whatn
ye have this evenin'?".
Nick neither turned his head nor
looked up. His hat was iammed down
over his eyes. and the visible part OF his
face wore a dark frown. He walked to |
the stove. ran his hands deep into the
pockets OF his riding overslls and stood
looking at the floor.
Three or four men were gathered sts
card table ne by. One OF them glanced
up at Nick. .elio, Nick" said he; sit
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 a pretty good Joke.
Won't you tell the boys what you did
with that hundred or 20 you rakeo In
here night before lastf"
"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-bacSs
all day long, an don't get TO hear no
news; so I reckon I'll have TO tell ye.
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 It 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. Sect"
You don't say!" said one. 'What a
shame" said another; and a third said:
well. sit in anyhow, Nick; I'll stake
you"
INC" 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 a pillow, and
curled up on the floor behind the stove.
He did not know how long afterward
Il was that be opened his eyes and
stared around. His friends had left the
card table. and two others eat there.
They we're 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 we're 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. We'll,
they turned over some funds 20 him to
putin the bank. an the bank bein'
closed. he Just took the wad home with
him. 'Twould be safe enough, he sale I:
nobody knew he had II. He'd bank II to-
morrer'
The other man bit the end on Of a
cigar. Yes" said he; It'll be safe
enough. Ha. ha, ha. He'll never get
past them willows on waterhole creek
with II. though. Them fellers down
there will see to that" He reached over
and struck a match on the stove, and as
It fickered up he caught sight OF Nick's
boots. Hello said be. In . startled
voice. whats this?"
The other made . hurried investiga,
ton. but as Nick remained silent
breathing heavily. he was apparently
reassured, "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 thu
strangers got up and walked out,
For some time Nick lay there In 81
ience. "Luck's turned my way" wa
his first thought. They'll slug oil,
Mortenson, an then they'll be no pros
ecution, an my case'll be dropped
them's the feller's that's been doin' oil
the holdin up round here lately theyl
he no tales told when they get through
with him, All I've got to do 10 to keeI
still"
But keeping still did not prove so easy
and In q very short time he got up an
walked out. There was . light In tn
store where Mortenson was In the habi
OF trading. and thither he went. Their
he learned that Mortenson had drive
out about quarter OF an hour previous
"Plenty OF time to head him of,
thought Nick; then he stood momer
irresolute.
His grievance against Mortenson ros
up In MS minu, ana Win IL, OtneT
Once he had been an honest cowbo.
now he was a gambler and roustabou
picking up a living as best he nigh
and what had brought him toit? Tn
same Stockman's union, Of which Mo
tenson vas leading member. and who's
money even then be lNick) was plsi
ming 70 cave They had made him VIII;
he was, and brought similar troubles
others that he knew, by their infamo'
system Of i'plack-listing," which mat
II impossible for q cowboy q get en-
ployment again when discharged
one ~ their number, for any offens
however s,ieht,
This all came back TO him, and
smiled bitterly, Then he threw up B
head, settled his big bat frmiy upon
and strobe down the street, Cant he
A." he said to himself I'm pl
square game. II they haven't woi
ace n man downed Without a fatr sha