The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1911-11-02
A STEP
BACKWARD
,Ry WILLIS BEACH POTTER
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation, illl -


bling den in Dead Mans 'Iulch nnG
standing in the center Of the room
said in G sonorOus voice:
"You are invited to attend a prnyr,
meeting in Tompson's wood to com
mence at 3 O'Clock. 1t Is now quar-
ter to 4. trust that every man pres
ent will be there"
Instead Of every man showing will
ingAess to 60 to Tompson's wood ev
cry man proceeded with what he was
doing. which was principally gambling
The young clergyman-hem might have
been twenty seven or twenty eight
years old-looked mildly upon this
want Of response. not in the least dis
couraged, and was about to leave the
saloon when his attention was attract.
ed to young girl who came in. ap-
preached table where half a dozen
men were playing poker, and putting
her arms around the neck Of one Of the
players. begged him to leave.
DO come home, father" she said.
Mother is sick and your being here
worries her."
After I've played few hands more,
Edae. I've had long run Of bad luck.
which il sure to turn"
The clergyman from tho moment the
girl entered was visibly affected by
her presence. Going to the table. he
booked over the game for awhile. then
said to her father. If you go home
I'll see what can do to recover your
losses" Every one looked up 1t the
speaker surprised, especially the man
addressed. He rose. leaving seven or
eight dollars ON the table. and, telling
his daughter to 60 home and say to her
mother that he would be there soon,
stood looking over the game.
His fellow gamestefs were I've stool
pigeons and one card sharp. They had
deeced the man who had given up his
place out Of nearly all the money he
possessed The clergyman steadily
won. but in small amounts. till he had
Increased the pile before him to sew
eral hundred dollars. Then the card
sharp gave his stool pigeons a look and
opened the next hand for jack pot
All stayed in for one round, then drop
ped out on the second. and on the third
the betting was left to the card sharp
and the clergyman, who continued to
saise each other till the pot resembled
q miniat ure mountain.
BY this time there were a number Of
lockers on. and the excitement waxed
high. A clergyman playing against
Dave Simpson. who was known foe
the slickest card sharp at Dead Mans
oulch. was an interesting sight to see.
When the two men tired Of raising
each other Simpson called the cler
gyma1. This by the rules of the game
sempslled the latter to show his hand
1rst, an evident disadvantage to him,
playing with a light fingered oppo
1ent who might increase bis hand att
q moving what the clergyman held
The broad brim Of the parsons cleri,
cal felt hat was pulled down over his
eyes. and his cards were held close un-
der them. Presently be said mildly:
" see four kings in my hand. and
nothing will beat four kings except
four aces. Since I've got an ace. too,
there's no way for you to beat me ex.
eept by introducing an ace from an
other pack. which would. to say the
least, be irregular. I'm going to show
my cards. and if you have that dfth
ace I'd advise you to keep it dark"
The speaker seemed to be troubled
by an itching at the back Of his neck
and put a hand up to scratch When
he withdrew his hand he held in 1t q
knife eight inches long. which he hesd
over his opponent. The latter retained
his nerve. sitting motionless.
You're no parson." he said. "Who
are you?"
II am a clergyman of the Methodist
Episcopal church. My name is James
sykes. formerly a desperate and black
leg, but reformed"
Throwing his cards on the tab1e, ~
told the man for whom he played -
scoop In the pot. ''-
Every one had heard of Jim sykes,
and not q man among the gamblers
cared to tackle him. he went homo
With the man he had befriended ana
"a arrival said.
you people have forgotten me. but
I haven't forgotten you. Once when
q posse was after me to hang me this
youns lady. then slip Of girl. hid
me and saved my neck. These funds
are q small token of my gratitude
He took the girls hand in bis ana
booked into her eyes with his. which
were full Of gratitude.
II remember" she said. six or sew
"a years ago a young man coming d
our house and telling me that he wa
hunted for his life. but he cculd nj
Dossibly be you. he was q frightf0l
boking object You. on the contrary,
m the personi6cation Of all that =
Rood.''
"And what made the change in ~
The little girl who saved my life. l
resolved that her effort should not ~
= vain. determined to live for TIE
good instead Of the bad. was CO..
verted by an evangelist and joined tn