Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-15

Fraser went tearing after and not far from the door managed to stop him.
 For heavens sake" he gasped, "what's struck you?"
 Eraser" said Lounsbury, did you hear that the colonel wanted an inter- preter?"
 "Why-why-great Scottr'
 "Exactly-great Scottw The store keeper set off again.
 Hold onw Fraser caught his arm "Your schemes all right, but you can't impress the man. He's got to go of his own accord"
 "H'm! That's so."
 "What you suppose he'll say if you rush in there and ask him to please go away on this long trip and leave your friends serenely in possession of the land?"
 q wouldn't say 'please'-but you're right. Let's take look through that window"
 Fraser assented. Shoulder to shoul- der they tiptoed forward and, keeping out of the shaft of light, viewed the scene within.
 It was busy one and well bore out the inviting legend of the shingle sign Along the plank bar "the troopers" were thickly ranged, smacking their lips in delight" over greasy glasses. Beyond them was a squint eyed man who trotted untiringly to and fro. mixing and pouring. Nearer was the stove, its angular barrel and wide spread legs giving it the appearance of some horrid fire belching animal.
 An unbroken circle of men surround ed it, hats on, rawhide bottomed chairs tilted back to an easy slant. From their pipes and cigars smoke rose steadily and hung. blue mist, against the sloping rafters of the roof
 There was little talking in the circle. Two or three were asleep. their heads sagging on their necks with maudlin looseness. The others spoke infre- 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 pipe in its toothy wise. And when he was not feeding the stoves flaming maw with broken boxes. barrel slaves and green wood his blowzy countenance was suspended over the pasteboards he was thumbing in a game of soli- 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 a square table. 4 cigar box partly filled with coin and chips was before him. In front of the other players were 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 good six months pay" whispered Fra ser.
 Looks Ike they're in for aIl night" Lounsbury returned.
 But the officer was pinching him. 'Shi See there.'
 A half drunken trooper was inter- rupting the game He had reeled for ward to the table and seemed to be addressing himself to Matthews. who. as he answered. glanced up indiner- ently. The trooper continued. empha- sizing his words by raising a cIinched fist and striking the board a blow.
 The chip piles tOppled He turned to those about gesticuIzting. 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