Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-27

worth attending to in this skirmishing af-
fair did it, didn't 1? But 1 tell you. man.
there is mighty little good trying to buck
against fate, and when luck once finally
lets go of a victim he's bound to drop
straight to the bottom before he stops.
That's the sum and substance of all my
philosophy. old fellow consequently / never
kick simply because things happen to go
wrong. What's the use? They'll go wrong
just the same. Then. again. my life has
never been so sweet as to cause any excess
sive grief over the prospect of losing it.
Possibly I might prefer to pass out from
this wcrld in some other manner, but that's
merely q matter of individual taste and
Just there doesn't seem to be very
| much choice left me. Consequently. upheld
by my acquired philosophy and encouraged
! by the rectitude of my past conduct. I'm
merely holding back one shot for myself
as 4 sort of grand finale to this fandango
and another for that little girl out yonder."
These words We're uttered slowly. the least
touch of lazy drawl apparent in the low
voice. Yet there was earnest simplicity
pervad:ng the speech which somehow gave
it impressiveness. The man meant exactly
what he said beyond the possibility of
doubt. The old soldier. accustomed to every
form of border eccentrcity, gazed at him
with disapproval.
Either you're the coolest devil I've met
during thirty years of soldering" he COM
WHO are you. anyhow? | half believe you
might be Bob Hampton of Placer
The other smiled grimly. You have the
name tolerahly correct, old fellow; likewise
that delightful spot so lately honored by
my residence. In brief you have succeeded
In calling the turn perfectly, so far as your
limited Information extends. In strict con-
fidence l propose now to impart to YOU what
has hitherto remained a profound secret
Upon special request of a number of nfiu-
entail citizens of Placer, including the CITY
marshal and other officials expressed in
mass meeting, l have decided upon desert
ing that SapahrnSb TO ;fc
fate. and plan to add the influence of my
presence to the future development of Glen
caid. learn that the climate there is more
salubrious. more conducive to long living,
the citizens of Placer being peculiarly ex-
citable and careless with their firearms"
The sergeant had been listening with omen
| mouth. THE - you .say!" he finally
CALCULATED.
1.-The undefled truth. every word of It,
No wonder you are shocked. fine state
Of affairs. isn't 1t, when a plain-spoken,
pleasant hammered gentleman. such as
surely ana university graduate by all the
tor. and acknowledged to be the greatest
exponent of scientific poker in this territory
should. be obliged to hastily change his
chosen place Of abode because of the threat
have a rope dangled In front of your eyes,
sergeant, and a gun barrel biting into your
cheek at the same time? Accept my word
for It, the experience is trying on the
and those ducks knew 1t; but there's no true
sporting spirit left in this territory any
more However. spilled milk is never worth
sobbing over and fate always contrives
to play the final hand in any game and
stocks the cards to win. Quite probably you
are familiar with Bobbie Burns. sergeant,
and will recall easily these words: The
best Laid schemes O. mice and men gang aft
agley.' Well. instead Of proceeding. as
originally intended. to the delightful en-
virons of Glencaid for sort Of summer va
cation I have. on the impulse of the mo-
ment. decided upon crossing the Styx. Our
somewhat impulsve red friends out yondef
are kindly preparing to assist me in making
successful passage, and the citizens Of
Glencaid, when they learn the sorrowful
news of my translation. ought to come
nobly forward with some suitable memorial
to my virtues. If. by any miracle of chance,
you should pull through. Wyman, I would
hold it a friendly act If you suggest the
/, matter A neat monument. for instance,
might suitably voice their grief 1t would
cost them far less than should in the
flesh and would prove highly gratifying to
me. as well as those mourners left behind
In Placer
"a breath Of good honest prayer would