Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-07-10

The report that Calvin was soon to
lose her and that Deadwood City was
to acquire her graceful presence
brought men in from the outlying dig
gings to make a wager before she
went away. Her favor with the min
ers was due largely to her rule that
none of the gambling fraternity could
play at Twenty-one. The game was
for the miner and tenderfoot exclusive
1 ly. She was uncanny In her ability
to detect professional. Let him
masquerade as miner or teamster or
business man and, after one glance
from her cool, dark eyes, the delight
ed spectators would hear her musical
voice saying:
"M'sieu is mistake. Take up re
gold. This ees not for re gambling
man. M'sieurs, attendez-vous, sill
vous plat. Make re game"
And the favored victims would
bundle the intruder aside and with
additional stakes prove their loyalty
to game that frowned on the pro-
fessional.
One man aroused the curiosity of
j the girl. He kept aloof, yet watched
the game. His figure was erect and
i graceful and the gay tie limited at
dandyism, but it was the white cloth
around his head and covering some
hurt that held the girls interest. AS
there was no doubt that the fellow
had been drinking it was also pOssible,)
she feared, he would create disturb
ance.
1t was his propensity for song
which led TO the conclusion. When
drunk, men sang in Rapid City just
as they did in, Deadwood, just as they
sang in the days Of the first drink.
But to walk alone In the street In
the sunshine and sing, albeit the voice
was a rich tenor, proved the fellow
was fair befuddled. He did not seek
acquaintance with any Of the habitues
of the place. and none knew whence
he came, whether from north or south,
by stage. horseback or on foot.
Three times had he sung before the
noon hour and. next to the girl, Scis-
sors the picture-man displayed the
most interest in him. Scissors was
well known in Rapid City although
this was but his second visit there.
/ Scissors stood behind the Twenty-One
table and made an outline Of the fair
dealer and timidly placed 1t beside
her hand She pushed chip toward
him, but he refused, murmuring:
LET me give it. 1t pleases me.
can always get dust from the men,"
To prove his assertion he walked
over to the stranger and began:
] tits a gift Always could do it.
Preserve your likeness in paper, the
only man in the world who can do 1t.
Can make your likeness as exact as
any artist can draw it. Do 1t all In
outline, profile preferred. I'm wakan
witshasha. A mystery man. Wakan-
tanka, the big sun mystery, smiles on
me and gives me my medicine. Be
hold!"
| He began whirling the paper and
manipulating the scissors. The strang-
er watched him closely, alert and
puzzled. His eyes widened as he
glimpsed the growing outline. When
it was completed and extended be-
tween the points of the scissors the
pictureman said:
-Four bits. It's dirt cheap"
The stranger stared at the cut-out
/ figure in amazement. He noted that
not only was the characteristic pose
cunningly caught but that even the
bandage about his head was indicat-
ed. With an inartfculate sound he
snatched the paper and tore it to
bits. Scissors lips opened TO make
protest at such wanton destruction
of art, but before he could speak the
man was thrusting dollar into his
hand and was commanding:
"Clear out! That silly stuff doesn't
| interest me-
| Then as he realized how deeply the
group at the Twenty-one table was
interested in the scene he added:
You're spelling my luck. Now /
must have a drink before dare bet
on a card" He did not patronize the
short bar at the end of the hall but
strobe into the street and made for
the eating-house. And as he walked
he obeyed his musical impulse and
began singing in rich, rollicking
voice:
used to love a gal there; they called her
] Sally Black.
asked her for to marry me, she said 1t
whack
| But says she to me; Joe Bowera before we
hitch for life
| You ought to have little home to keep
your little wife.
Scissors watched the man enter the
clearinghouse, and then wandered aim
lessly about the room in search of
customers. After half an hour the
stranger returned. and this time he
did not halt by the door, but swung
down the room and darted a lively
glance at the girl. He halted and
abruptly pushed his way to her table
and thrust his hand in his pocket for
some money or dust.
"No, no, M'sieu. Not here. Re
game ees not for YOU"
He slowly drew forth his hand and
swung his gaze about as If searching
for some one who might be smiling
over his repulse. More to spare the
dealer a scene than from fear of the
stranger the men continued grave of
face. With a shrug Of his shoulders
the man passed on to the monte table.
looked on sardonically for a minute,