The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1908-04-15

"Your schemes all right, but you can't
impress the man. He's got to go Of
his own accord"
Hin! That's So"
what you suppose he'll say II 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?
81 wouldn't say 'please'-but you're
right. Let's take a look through that
window"
Fraser assented. Shoulder to shout
der they tiptoed forward and, keeping
out OF the shaft Of light, viewed the
scene within.
1t was a busy one and we'll bore out .
the inviting legend of the shingle sign.
Along the plank bar 1.-THE troopers
were thickly ranged. smacking their
lips in delight over greasy glasses.
Beyond them was 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 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. cigar
box partly filed 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 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 plr cked Of thei
good six months pay" whispered Fra
ser.
"Looks like they're in for all night,
= Lounsbury returned.
But the officer was pinching him
j. Ssh! See there!'
n half drunken trooper was intel
e rupting the game. He had reeled fol
ward to the table and seemed to
c addressing himself to Matthews. who
as he answered. glanced up indiffel
It emily. The trooper continued, emphs
|. sizing his words by raising clinche
fist and striking the board blow.
The chip piles toppled. He turne
O to those about, gesticulating. fe'
!. surrounded him, evidently bent o
n leading him toward the door. Other
appeared to be continuing the disput
with Matthews. But as the disturbt
10 was pushed out they gradually SUI
sided.
10 1--WE got an idea" announced Il
o. storekeeper. And he disappeare
around a corner.
When he returned he was leadir
10 the trooper and talking low to hir
Il, All three retired to the shadow of Il
wall.
Here there was a colloquy. Fir
n Lounsbury held forth, next the troo
N err, protestingly When the lieutena
Ia broke in two phrases were frequent
VI repeated ito the guardhouse" al
4 won't II you will"
Il At last the three went back to t
" window.
i Remember" cautioned the stol
Il keeper. 1--WE don't want all these 81
II bangs stirred up"
Ii Needn't worry" said Fraser. ''Ju
FL listen to that rumpus down the stree
RI The disjointed music of vince
II accordion was rending the night. WI
ii 1t sounded the regular stamp of feet
u Now the trooper rounded the corn
ii A moment and through the windt
III Lounsbury and the officer saw him I
a ter the door.
He slipped down to seat beside
Michael. There he stayed for awhi
Whenever brother trooper looked
way he called him up by the crook
Il of a finger and whispered to him.
Il fo,o lo,,o an Enot Of mon had again a