The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-10
[Contiaued.)

l@A1 W0o kAItAG LdEhIi1S III Inc CAIEiE.
Two or three We're asleep. their heads
sagging on their necks with maudlin
looseness. The others spoke infrs-
quently, but often let down their
chairs while they spat IN the sand box
under the stove or screwed about in
the direction of the gaming table.
Among these was old Michael. He sat
nearest the door, a checker board bal
anced on his knees, his black stub pine
in its toothy wise. And when he was
not feeding the stoves flaming nav
with broken boxes, barrel slaves and
green wood his blowzy countenance
was suspended over the pasteboards
he was thumbing in a game of soil
taire.
The two outside went under the
shaft OF light and peeped into the rear
of the room. There was Matthews
one of five at square table. A cigar
box partly filled with coin and chips
was before him. In front Of the other
players We're other chip piles About
the five, hanging over them. almost
pressing upon them, were a number Of
troopers. Two or three were idle on
lockers But the majority were fol-
lowing with excited interest every turn
of the cards.
"Wretches being plucked of their
coed six months pay" whispered Fra
ser.
looks like they're in for all night"
Lounsbury returned.
But the officer was pinching him.
Ssh! See therew
A half drunken trooper was inter
repting the game. He had reeled for
ward to the table and seemed to be
addressing himself TO Matthews, who,
as he answered. glanced up indiffer-
emily. The trooper continued, empha-
sizing his words by raising a elinched
fist and striking the board a blow.
The chip piles toppled. He turned
to those about. gesticulating. A few
surrounded him, evidently bent ON
leading him toward the door Others
appeared to be continuing the dispute
with Matthews. But as the disturber
was, pushed out they gradually sub
sided.
I've got an idea." announced the
storekeeper. And he disappeared
AROUND a corner.
SsSn he. returned he was leading
th ~ Cooper and talking low to him.
49, 49, retired to the shadow of the
Here there was a colloquy. First
Lounsbury held forth, next the troop
er, pfotestingly. When the lieutenant
broke in two phrases were frequently
repeated Ito the guardhouse" and
won't if you will"
At last the three went back to the
window.
Remember" cautioned the store
keeper, I'VE don't want all these she
bangs stirred up"
Needn't worry" said Fraser. Just
listen to that rumpus down the street"
The disjointed music of a wheezy
accordion was rending the night. With
it sounded the regular stamp of feet
Now the trooper rounded the corner.
A moment and through the window
Lounsbury and the officer saw him en-
ter the door.
He slipped down to a seat beside old
Michael. There he stayed for awhile.
Whenever brother trooper looked his
way he called him up by the crooking
of finger and whispered to him. Be
fore long knot of men had again sur
rounded him. But this time their at
tention was all for the table at the
rear of the room.
There the game was going on. Mat
thews' chip pile showed where the
winnings were gravitating. In the dim
light there was a strained look on the
faces Of the players.
Deal after deal passed. Finally one
OF the FIVE, having no more disks be-
fore him, pushed back his chair and
got up.
As he stood. dazed and dismayed,
the trooper who had been elected APP
peared az his side. clapped him upon
the back aud spoke At their elbows
was the knot that had gathered at the
stove
The next moment the trooper turned
TO the table and snatched the pack of
cards from Matthews hand. He he'd
up one, pointing at its back. snapped
1t down, pointed at a second. then
scattered the pack in the air.
Lounsbury and Fraser whipped
round the corner and in through the
door
An uproar greeted them. "Cheatr'
Clean him outy DO him like Sog-
gy did, Before them was a jostle Of
blue backs. Across these, on the far
ther side Of The plank bar they saw
Matthews facing the crowd. His left
hand held the cigar box against his
chest. his right was up and empty.
Hold on, boys. 1t was Lounsbury.
AS if he had caught a cue the fore
most trooper-he who had been the
disturbing element-repeated the CRY
and directed the eyes OF his comrades
to the door.
There was sudden lull. The men