The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-04-01
CHAPTER TX
Fats Takes Hand.

all LAC udN 0SNO- eia Aao CtClN
hostler and barn boy working his fin
ger-ends Off to make the big barn ready
for the expected visit of the head of
the firm, Ben Wentworth. Lefeyer had
cent word from Medicine Bend that
Wentworth was bringing with him
General Roper, chief engineer IN
charge of the railroad construction,
and reminded McAlpin that Went
worth would be looking for a clean
barn and that both distinguished visi-
tors would be looking for a pony race
or a game of poker.
One Of the busy places In Sleepy
Cat, particularly at stage time, was
the open square In front Of the COM
pany barns, blacksmith shops, and
paint and wagon shops. The Medicine
Bend stage had pulled In and pulled
out again for the west, and the Thief
River wagon, with mail and express,
was making ready TO start south,
when Wentworth and General Roper
drew up before the barn.
AS the company representative Sell
wood received the two men. Went
worth, almost as tall as Pardaloe,
with large features, sweeping mus
tachios, aggressive eyes, wearing a
broad plainsman's hat, a dusty vel
veteen suit, and huge solitaire dia-
mond in the bosom of his gray wooden
shirt, was a familiar figure to Selwood,
who knew his p~eculiarities well.
General Roper was an object Of
much greater interest TO Selwood. He
vas shorter and stouter with the ad-
n of years than his companion
wore a black SLOUGH military hat and
a soldiers mustache, gray and close
cropped. SelwOod, when he could de-
Gently do so unobserved, looked at
this man very closely and inspected
him very coldly-he felt that he had
particular reason to do so.
The usual program Of Went
worth's inspection trip was observed.
After the horses, wagons, equipment,
and shops had been gone over, Sell
wool took his guests TO the hotel for
dinner. stopping on the way at Tracy's
tent that Wentworth might go in to
speak TO him.
The old man looked frail. sra
going to miss my game of poker with
you, Dave" remarked Wentworth, in
the rough sympathy of men of his
kind. Brought up a nan to trim you
this time-General Roper"
you won't miss me-" retorted
Tracy huskily, and the old gambler,
in turn, named Selwood. Hell give
him a game"
After dinner the construction en-
gineers took Roper away, and Selwood
drove Wentworth to Thief River for
the mine inspection. They got back
late to the hotel, where Carpy and
Roper Joined them. After a good bit
Of talk and more or less action In the
barroom, the four went to the dining
room for a late supper. The neil
was prolonged. Roper, old army Off
Ger and STEPPED in the traditions Of
autocracy and action, began to mani
fest impotence as the early night
on and no game was In sight.
when does this poker player Of
yours show upf" he asked of Carpy.
"What did you call him-Gentleman
John'?'
Carpy touched the old gentleman's
breast with his finger. HE was with
us at supper tonight-John Selwood."
"That young fellow? Wentworth's
superintendent"
That's Gentleman John'-but don't
call him that" explained Carpy with
his broad smile, unless you want a
row."
Roper shrugged his shoulders.
"we're going to miss Dave Tracy to-
night"
"You may; you may" assented
Carpy enigmatically, But the young
fellow will do the best he can"
The four men sat down in Carpy's
room. Carpy supplied the chips and
opened a big box of cigars while Sell
wood placed a new deck of cards on
the table, the seal of the packet un-
broken He acted as banker.
Midnight found the four men fresh
at the work, the gains and losses ee-
saving from n pile of chips to
another. At two O'Clock In the morn
ing Carpy, a moderate winner.
dropped out on the plea OF necessity.
Wentworth and Selwood were behind;
Roper was winning and in excellent
humor. With the day breaking In the
east and the air Of the room. vitiated
by the kerosene lamps, heavy and
enervating. Wentworth, a considerable
loser, quit.
II hope you're not done, young man."
exclaimed Roper, whose palate was
whetted for further victories.
81 don't usually sit In a game long
er than this" responded Selwood,
whose composure seemed proof
against adverse fortune. But IL you
want TO make 1t noon, I'm agreeable"
Wentworth threw himself on the
bed beside Carpy, whose snoring was
OF a peaceful nature. Selwood pushed
aside the calico curtains, threw open
the windows for air, put put one of
the hot lamps, dashed some cold
water over his face, and sat down to
finish with the man best known among
the poker players of the Mountain
divide.
CTo BE coNTINUED.)