Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-10-11

.''~
made me tired" was his only comment
to us. "Now let's go hunt up Talbot.
I'll bet my extinct toothbrush that he's
a well known citizen around here
Johnny's extinct toothbrush was per-
fectly safe. The first man Of whom
we inquired told us where our friend
lived and added the gratuitous infor-
nation that the Ward block was near
ing completion We looked up the no
tel, a new one on Montgomery street.
The clerk spoke with respect Of Talbot
and told us we would probably find
him at one Of the several places of
business he mentioned or at the Ward
block. We thanked him and went d.
rect to the Ward block first. All of
US confessed to a great desire to see
that building.
It was to be three story brick struc-
ture and was situated at one corner of
the Plaza. We gazed upon it with APP
propriate awe. for we were accustomed
to logs and canvas. and to some extent
we were able to realize what imported
bricks and the laying Of them meant.
The foreman told us that Talbot had
gone out EMISSION way" with Sam
Brannan and some others to look at
some property and would not be back
until late.
Johnny and l spent the rest Of the
afternoon wandering about. Yank re-
tired to the soft chairs Of one Of the
numerous gambling places. His brok-
en- leg would not stand so much tramp
ing.
In the evening, as Talbot had not
yet returned, we wandered from one
place Of amusement to another The
gambling places were more numerous,
more elaborate. more important than
ever. Beside the usual rough looking
miners and labOrers, who were in the
great majority. there We're small groups
of substantial. grave. important look
ing men comforting. noticed again
the contrast wiih the mining camp
gambling halls p the matter eE noise
Here was heard but the cliuli OF coin
or the dull thud Of sold dust, low
u
sional full voiced exclamation.
johnny. who could never resist the
tables, was soon laying very small
stakes on monte. After time tired
Of the close air and heavy smoke and
slipped away. The lower part of the
town was impossible on account of the
mud, so made my way out along the
! edge Of the hills. The moon was sail
! ing overhead The shadows OF the
hills hung deep in the hollows. and
abroad q wide landscape slept in the
unearthly radiance. A thousand thou
sand cheerful frogs piped up chorus
against the brooding moon stiffness
they could not quite break. After the
glare Of the Arcade and the feverish
hum and hustle of the busy new city
| this still Ia.nce was almost overpower-
ing. I felt somehow that l dared not
give way to it all at once, but must
admit its influence trickle by trickle
until my spirit had become a little ac-
customed. Thus gradually / dropped
into q reverie The toll, excitement,
strain, striving of the past eight or
nine months fell swiftly into the back
ground. l relaxed. and In the calm OF
the relaxation for the first time old
memories found room.
How long had tramped, lost in this
dreaming, did not know, but at some
point l must have turned back, for
came to somewhere near the end OF
Sacramento street, if 1t could be said
to have an end to find the moon far
up toward the zenith. A man over
took me, walking rapidly. l caught
the CLEAN of a watch chain, and on a
sudden impulse I turned toward him.
"Can you tell me what time 1t is!'' l
asked.
The man extended his watch In the
moonlight and silently pointed to Its
face with the muzzle Of revolver!
"Half past r." said he.
"GoOd Lordv' l cried, with a shout
Of laughter. do you take me for
rOhhnr T01hOtp"