Middletown transcript., 1910-02-19
u GIVE AND TAKE ~
By ROLAND ASHFORD PHILLIPS
BY ROLAND ASHFORD PHILLIPS

We "a Sltq ~ 4Ou1 A09D ~ GGti
here, he said.
Once Parker had gained the
street, he chucked.
That fellow could never play
poker, he muttered. His eyes
give him away. Should wear
smoked glasses.
An hour later, carrying able
instructions, one Of his men was
on the way to Denver. 1t was
J. 3. Haper, to whom had been
sent the telegram.
Seven days later Parker again |
strolled into the express Office.
Hall smiled, and going to the
safe, took ont a thick, seal-cov.
cred envelope. The mine owner
looked over it casually and then
pushed 1t back.
NY deal isn't closed yes' ne
ventured calmly.
You'd better keep it for the
time. Don t like to have so much
currency lying about the shanty.
OF course. the agent returned,
if you want to keep it here, It's
your privilege. Accidents do
happen unexpectedly now and
then.
Again Parker shot g quick
glance, caught the speakers
eyes, and turned away.
Ever play pOkerP he asked
abruptly. The agent started and
then laughed EN- barrassediy.
No, never did,. Why?
Nothing, Parker unused, half
aloud. Then in q businesslike
tone, I'll keep the money here.
I'm allowedthirty days in which
to take it away. Anyway, as my
deal is hanging fire, it will be
safer here.
Hall put the envelope back in
the safe. When he turned, the
mine owner had gone.
Day after day dragged its
course. Parker made almost
daily visits to the express Office,
| but no mention was ever made Of
the envelope. Finally. with q
strained show of Indifference,
the agent spoke of it.
What about that currency Of
yours, Parker 7 he asked. Your
thirty days win be up soon.
Parker shrugged his shoulders.
Don't know If Ill want the stuff,
after all, he explained. Looks
like my deal is going to fall
through. Ought to know to.
morrow. Maybe I'll send the
envelope back.
Walking back up the street in
the early dusk, Parker saw the
stage drive up and discharge
solitary passenger. The fellow
stepped quickly from the stage.
and walked toward the express.
Office. 1t was the Eastern friend.
of the agent.
Therell be q storm tonight,
Parker mentioned to his foreman
that evening at the mine. But
the other laughed, and gazed up
at the clear heavens.
Don't think much Of your pre-.
tdiction, Abe, he retorted. There
amt a cloud in the sky.
| This storms going to come
from another direction, Parker
went on, smile twitching at his
lip corners. Neither of usIl get
q full nights sleep.
| True to his prediction, the.
storm came. It must have been
near three g. M, when the mine
owner awoke abruptly. A dull
roar had just died away in the
distance. After the pause, q few
faint cries began to break into
the silence. Some one. with o
loud chatter, ran hurriedly past
| the cabin. Parker dressed and
went outintothe gloon. Lights
were flashing here and there half
clad men we're slatnming doors
and running wildly down the
street toward the 'centar of.
excitement. An eager, swear.
ing throng Jammed the
front of the express Office. 1as.
side, Parker behsia naaghs 6dt
ruins An :explosbn had SlaaK;
out:the rasrof the frAaneebuiid- ::
ing Hall, the agent, clad ofigy.
in bis trousers and his. Ssesaas'
pAsty as bloodiess@ GohId
be, was incohersntly telling his
tstory. A little stream Of blood
vas tricklfhg from bis hair, zig
| Tagging. down. across his cheeks.
+. ] heard the first noise and
.Eeame out, be was stammering.
-The fellow was just tamping
the stun into the safe. i yelled
and fred at him, but missed.
Then be turned and shot me. /
felt the lead tick noe on the fore.