West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-10-31
CHAPTER VII

night approaches, so that the
many lights from doorway md
- window seem less garish and
strange than they do n month earlier.
In the Northern there was good bust
ness doing. The new bar fixtures.
which had cost n kings ransom or
represented the one nights loslngs OF
Klondike millionaire. shone rich,
dark and enticing, while the cut glass
sparkled with iridescent hues, reflect
ing in a measure the prlsmatic moods.
the dancing spirits of .hc crowd that
crushed past hating at the gambling
games or patronlzing the theater In
the rear. The old bar furniture
brought down by dog team from CUP
river" was established at the rear ex-
tremity of the long building, just in
side the entrance to the dance hall,
where patrons OF the drama might,
with n modicum of delay and incon-
venience, quar- as deeply of the bea-
ker as Of the ballet.
Now. however, the show had closed,
the hall had been cleared of chairs
and canvas, exposing CLASSY, tempt
ing surface, and the orchestra had
moved to the stage. They played
rollicking, blood stirring twostep, while
the floor swan with dancers.
At certain intervals the musicians
worked feverishly up TO n crashing
crescendo. supported by the voices OF
the dancers, until all Joined at the top
note In yell, while the drummer
fired a forty-four Colt into box of
wet sawdust beside his chair-all In
time, all in the swinging spirit of the
tune.
The men, who were mostly young
danced like college boys, while the wo-
men, who were all young and good
dancers, floated through the measures
with the ease OF rose leaves on a sum-
mer stream. Faces were flushed, eyes
were bright and but rarely voice
rounded that was not glad. Most Of
the noise came from the men, and, al
though one caught here and there a
hint of haggard lines about the girlish
faces and glimpsed occasional eyes
that did not smile, yet as a whole the
scene was one of genuine enjoyment
Suddenly the music ceased. and the
couples crowded to the bar The wom-
en- took harmless drinks, the men most
ly whisky. Rarely was the choice of
potations criticised, though occasional
ly some ruddy eschewer Of sobriety In
sisted that his lady take the same"
avowing that "hootch," having been
demonstrated beneficial IN his case,
was good for her also. Invariably the
lady accepted without dispute, and in
variably the man failed to note her
glance at the bartender or the silent
substitution by that capable person OF
ginger ale for whisky or Of plain wa
ter for gin. In turn the mixers collect
ed 81 from each man, dipping to the
girl n metal percentage check. which
she added to her store. In the curtain
cd boxes overhead men bought bottles
with foil about the corks, and then
subterfuge on the lady's part was idle,
but, on the other hand she was able to
pocket for each bottle a check redeem.
able at 50.
A stranger straight from the east
would have remarked first upon the
good music. next upon the good looks
OF the women and then upon the shah
by clothes OF the men. for some OF
them were In "mukluk." others In
sweaters with huge Initials and wing
ed emblems, and all were collarless.
Outside In the main gambling room
there were but few women. Men
crowded in dense masses about tho
faro layout, the wheel. craps Tie Kion-
dixie game, pangingi and tie card to-
bles. They talked Of business. Of
home. Of women. bought and sold
rrrff4 ~ eli
bans 70 honor. Tho gr22mcd and
clean, the unkempt and filthy iostlcd
shoulder to shoulder. equally affected
by the license Of the gold fields and the
exhilaration Of the new. The mystery
Of the north had touched them all The
glad, bright wine of adventure flied
their veins. and they spoke nightly OF
things they had resolved 10 do. or re-
counted with simple 1im1ence the
strange stories Of their accomplish
ment
The Bronco KID, familiar from Attn
90 Mono as the best "l1nk" dealer on
the Yukon. worked the shift from til
2 He was a slender man OF thirty.
dextcrous in movement slow 10 emile.
soft Of voice and shown as q living
hame among women Iis dad dealt
the biggest games VI Ia carly days
and bad no cIrt T.t Igrgl
many called bin friend I.g wondered
inwardly.
It was a strong p1g Oh. EI lad
tonight for swe1c ar OFF Dawson
venturcd many stofhs m t..uw china
and he was q quick rag a gam.
bier. A Jew eat 90 ta e..s end ..ffl,