Morris tribune., 1914-08-07

rs Mr.. John Oakhurst, gambler.
stepped into the main street of
HN Poker Flat on the morning of
- the 23d of November, 1850, he
was conscious Of change in its moral
atmosphere since the preceding night
Two or three men, conversing earnest
ly together, ceased as he approached
and exchanged significant gIances.
There was Sabbath Iull in the air,
which, in settlement unused to Sab
bath influences, looked ominous.
Mr.. Oakhurst's calm, handsome face
betrayed small concern in these indica-
lions. Whether he was conscious Of
any predispOsing cause was another
question. 81 reckon they're after some
body" he reflected, likely it's me-"
He returned to his pocket the handker-
chief with which he had been whip
ping away the red dust of Poker Flat
from his neat boots and quietly dis
charged his mind of any further con-
lecture.
In point of fact, Poker Flat was
''after somebody" 1t had lately suf-
fered the loss Of several thousand dol
lars, two valuable horses and promi-
nent citizen. 1t was experiencing a
spasm OF virtuous reaction, quite as
lawless and ungovernable as any Of
the acts, that had provoked it, A SCI
cret Committee had determined to rid
the townsof aftsimprOp er persons. This
was done permanently in.regard to
two menswho were then hanging from
the bOughs of sycamore in the gulch
and temporarily in the Punishment OF
certain other Objectionable characters.
regret to say that some of these were
ladies. It is but due to the sex, how
ever. to state that their improperly
was professional and it was only in
such easily established standards Of
evil that Poker Flat yentured to sit in
judgment
Mr.. 0akharst was right in suppOsing
til he was included in this category.
a lew of the committee had urged
hanging him as possible example.
and a sure method of reimbursing
themselves from his pockets OF the
sums he bad won for them. Its agin
justice" said Jim Wheeler, ito let
this yer young man from Roaring
Camp-an entire stranger-carry away
our money" But crude sentiment
of equity residing in the breasts of
those who had been fortunate enough
to win from Mr.. Oakhursts overruled
this narrower local prejudice.
Mr.. Oakhurst received his sentence
with phiiOsOphic calmness none the
less cOoIly that he was aware of the
hesitation of his judges. He was toe
much OF a gambler not to accept fate
With him life was at best an uncer
tain game, and he recognized the usual
percentage in favor Of the dealer
A body Of armed men accompanied
the deported wickedness of Poker Flat
to the outskirts OF the settlement Be
sides Mr.. Oakhurst, who was known
to be cooiIy desperate man and fol
whose intimidation the armed escor
was intended. the expatriated party
consisted Of young woman familiarly
known as The Duchess;" another
who had won the title Of Mother Ship
ton" and "Uncle Billy" suspected
-sluice rObber and confirmed drunkard
The cavalcade provoked no comment
from the spectators, nor was any wore
uttered by the escort. Only when tn
gulch which marked the uttermOs
limit OF Poker Flat was reached tn,
leader spoke briefly and to the point
The exiles were forbidden to returna
the peril Of their lives.
AS the escort disappeared their pen
ND feelings found vent in few hyster
Zeal tears from the Duchess. some baC
language from Mother Shipton and
Parthian voIIey Of explosives from Un
Gle Billy. The philosophic Oakhurs
alone remained silent He listened
calmly to Mother Symptoms desire t
cut somebody's heart out. to the re
Deated statements Of the Duchess tina
she would die in the road and to tn
alarming oaths that seemed to b
bumped out Of Uncle Billy as he rod
forward. With the easy good hume
characteristic of his class he insiste
upon exchanging his own riding horse
Five Spot. for the sorry mule whic
the Duchess rode. But even tails aC
did not draw the party into any close
sympathy. The young woman read
justed her somewhat draggIed plume
with a feeble. faded coquetry. Mothe
Shipton eyed the posSesSor of Fiv
Spot with malevoience. and Uncle Bi
~ included the whole party in on
sweeping anathema
The road to Sandy Rar-a camp tina
3