The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-06-04

end TO end. and that he understood
the main weaknesses OF human nature
and how TO play upon them for the ad-
vantage OF his employers and for his
own huge amusement He gave
small exhibition Of that skill at the
expense OF Roebuck. He appreciated
that Roebuck was one OF those uncon-
scious hypocrites who put conscience
out OF court in advance by assuming
that whatever they wish TO do is
right or they could not wish to do IL.
lie led Roebuck on 10 show on this
REGULARITY OF his-a iumblng often In
the same breath. Of the most sonorous
piety and the most shameless business
perfdy All the time woodruff's face
was perfectly grave-there are some
men who refuse 10 waste any OF their
internal enjoyment In external show.
Before he left MS arranged to meet
him the next moaning for the settle.
ment OF the details Of his employment
When Roebuck and were alone.
said: what do you know about
hlm7 Who Is he?"
"He comes Of good family here In
Chicago-one OF the best Perhaps
you recall the Bowker murder7"
Vaguely" ! answered
1T was Woodruff who did t. We
had hard time getting him on Row.
ker and woodruit's younger brother
we're playing cards one day. and Row.
ker accused him Of cheating Young
Woodruff drew-perhaps they both
drew at the same time. A. any rate.
Dowker shot FIRST and killed his man
he got on on the plea OF selidcfense.
Il was two years before Bowker and
Doc met-ln the lobby 81 the Palmer
house, happened 10 be there. I was
talking 20 a friend when suddenly I
felt az n something awful was about
70 happen. started up. and. saw
Bowker Just rising from a table at
the far end OF the room. I shan't ever
forget his look-llke a bird charmed
by n snake His lips were aiar and
wrinkled as n his blood had fed away
inside Of him and his throat was ex.
pandlng and contracting"
Roebuok wiped beads Of sweat from
his forehead. N was Doc Woodruff
walking slowly toward him. with a
wicked smile on his face. and that
scar-you noticed the scarf"
nodded.
well. you can imagine how that
scar stood out he came slowly on
nobody able 10 move a muscle 10 stop
him. When he was about ten feet
from Bowkcr and as near me as you
are now. Bowkor gave n kind VI shud'
Ter and scream Of fright drew his
pistol. and fired. The bullet clipped
Woodru1's ear. Quick as that
Rocbuck snapped his nnEcrs-"DoS
drew. and sent a bullet Into his heart
lie fell forward across the table and
his pistol crashed ON the f.larblc floor
Doc looked at him. gave a cold sori
u laugh. like jecr and n curse. and
walked ont Into the street. Whom he
net policeman he said: I've kllics
Dick Bowker Here's my gun. Loci
me up'-pcrfectiy cool. Just az b
talked 10 us tonight"
and you got him on"
Yes hated 20 90 H. too. for Dici
vas one % my best friends. But Doe
was too useful TO us. In bis line hc'i
without an equal"
How did be get that SCARF said !
Nobody knows. lie left here whor
he was a boy 90 avoid being sent e
tho reformatory. When he turned up
after a dozen years. he said he hat
been a doctor, but didn't say where Of
how. And he had that scar. One ia,
man asked him how he go, Il. ~
picked up a bottle. and. With his pleas
ant laugh. broke u over the fellows
Jaw. About Ike that said he Pco
pie don't ask him questions"
Hes my man." said I.