The Press., 1916-05-03
JIM GAY A Story of a Re- formed Card
 Sharp
By ELEANOR MARSH

X man rode up to settlers cabin in the far west. threw himself from his horse and asked for something to eat. The settler was not at home, but his wife received the stranger, and her daughter, a child of twelve, looked up at the man with pair of big black eyes wonderingly.
 The mother was evidently troubled at his coming. but children are not aware of the differences In persons, and the daughter who seldom saw any one except her parents, did not seem Ill disposed toward him. On the con trary, his arrival was something out or the common in her life. The man was young. not over twenty one, and not bad looking but there was something in his appearance to make the elder woman shudder. She set ont some bread and meat for him. It was not very tempting. and he asked If It was the best she could do. j.
 Mother" said the girl, you have forgotten that you made pies yester- day" :, The mother cast a quick reprOying glance at her daughter and, going to cupboard. took out a pie and placed it on the table before the stranger. .Wouldn't you like a cup of cOffee| asked the child.
 Reckon l would" replied the man. The woman drowned, but her back was turned toward the man. and he did not see her face. Besides. his at tention was fixed on the child, who was instrumental in bringing forth what there was in the larder. He was fight ing his way through the world. His hand was against every man, and ey- cry mans hand was against him. He was touched by the only kindness he had received in a iong while.
 The woman made the stranger a cup of coffee, and. having eaten and drunk. he said
 i've had a square meal, thanks to you, sissy Now I'm going to have a sleep. In case you hear or see any one coming. little girl, wake me at once' -
 If you're sleepy" said the child. 'why do you want to be wakened?"
 "See here, younker; if some men come along they're probably hunting for me. and the sooner you awaken me the better it will be for me-
 "Why are they hunting you?" "To hang me"
 The girl paled. but asked no further questions. The man stretched himself on a bunk fixed to the wall in the liv' ing, dining and bedroom in one. while the woman went to the other room. the | kitchen, and washed the dishes. ?, The stranger must have been long without I sleep. for no sooner had he stretched l himself on the bunk than he fell into a | t.eep s.umber. | There is something so inoffensive. SC powerless. about a sleeper as always tt l attract sympathy. In this case sleeI | seemed to relax the mans features SC that the animosity against mankind st l marked upon it when he was awake
 disappeared. Twenty-One is the yer.
 beginning of manhood, and the young
 ster, his face being in repose. was sin eularly handsome. Perhaps the gir
 was old enough to feel drawn to one ol the opposite sex. At any rate, she
 looked upon him sympathetically ou of her great black eyes and presently
 got blanket and threw it over him
 Then remembering what he had sait l to her. she went outside and scanned
 the country roundabout. Far in tn,
 distance sh, saw several men on horse
 back galloping toward the cabin.
 The sleeper was conscious of hearing l voices
 Mother, some men are coming. Tn
 going to wake him up"
 Do no such thing. He's desperadO
 quite likely horse thief. Let hin
 alone and they'll get him.
 'I won't; they'll hang him."
 Then the man felt himself shaken
 He started up.
 l "They're coming" said the girl. The man Snrang to the door. shaded
 his eyes wi his hand against the sun
 caught the chilL in his arms. kisse' her, vaulted on to his horse and dashe,
 away. .e.. . @ ,- l Not long after his departure poss
 rode up to the house. .... | Anybody been here?" asked one Q
 then1.
 "Who are you looking forT' aske the woman. '~
 "Jim Gay. the card sharp. He too
 $500 last night from a greenhorn il
 Silver City, ..-.
 Well" replied the woman, "a youh
 fellow has just been here and lit oul
 Reckon if ycu go that away (pointins | yOly'I ke Or, his track'' # The men rode on. leaving the motbe
 and daughter together, the latter re
 ceiving a scoiding for protecting tn
 stranger. The father came in late'
 and when told that Jim Gay, the ear
 sharp. had been there and had bee
 saved from capture by his daughter h
 gave her another scolding.
 "Who is the fellow anyway aske
 his wife.
 II II never saw him, but they say he the Slickest man at cards in the terr
 tory. He doesn't take much interest i Il doing sucker. He rather runs to me who pride themselves on being up [
 all the lodges in the profession. Bu he's skinned so many of them tha they won't tackle him any more."
 Papa" said the girl. ''is 1t wicked ( play cards? You play cards sometimes | don't you:"
 No re< .oI,se was made to the ques , tion. The fathers -besetting sin wa , the gambliag table
 | During five years following this ep
 sOde the country round about the SCI , tler's cabin was filling up. but wit that rough element which seeks ne, : countries. Silver was what attracte ], the crowd. and many were growth rich from the mines. Scarborough. tn n settler. was in a position to avail hin
 self of opportunities; but, being sui iect to passion for gambling. whef
 ever he got good thing he gambled
 away. In vain his wife pleaded Y it
 him to keep away from the gamin