The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1936-09-25
CHAPTER I-Continued


Medicine Bend man, Jim paid particu-
lar Difference. calling him frequently
by his first name, but doing most of
the talking himself all the way from
the depot. for his friend. like most
sporting men, was spare Of words.
But the moment McAlpins favored
passenger had paid his fair. tipped the
Scotch liveryman generously, and
walked toward the grandstand, Meal
pin confided to those about him that
this was the celebrated Harry Tension,
big-time gambler from Medicine Bend,
who talked Of opening place in Sleepy
Cat.
Sawdy and Lefever were in moody
confab behind the grandstand when
the dapper Tension approached, pick
ing his steps with disgust through the
dust. Sawdy's eyes lighted on the new
arrival first. He gave a great start.
Harry" he cried. "For the love O.
women! OF all men you're sent this
minute from heaven"
"How much Is this goin' to cost.
Henry?" asked Tension, pausing to
dust his shoes with an immaculate silk
handkerchief. Lefever. too, beamed on
Tenison.
-Harry!" he shouted. "For the love
o. Mike, how Gomez"
1.-TWO of you" commented Tension
calmly. "The clouds are gatherin'. I
supposed you've been cleaned by this
Sleepy Cat bunch and want me for a
pay-off.'
Harry" murmured SAVOY, lower
voiced and very sober, I'll admit
couldn't have said it better myself
Come this way. Talk low"
The three found a quiet spot back
Of the grandstand. The story of the
eowmen was soon told. 1t went into
sympathetic and unhesitating ears. AS
with all gamblers who play big, Ten
ison's mind was soon made up. 81 don't
bank much on sure things; but you two
seem to know what you're talkin'
about. How much do you boys want?"
"A thousand, Harry"
Tension thought a minute. as Jake
SPOTS in town."
Here on the grounds. If he's not up
at the saloon"
Hunt him up. He'll have q few hum
dred. I've got few in my pocket.
Where's the boy that pulls this stuff
for your"
Come over to the horses and meet
Bill Denison. We're keeping him dark.
They think he's hostler"
Tension, when introduced, looked
over Sawdy's hope in his usual cold
FLOODED fashion. Jake Spots, the pro-
fame barber-shop-and- magnate, ap-
peared meantime. Tension asked for
six hundred dollars. Jake counted his
roll. He showed four hundred odd.
Give me the four, Jake" said Tension
calmly.
II en- get all you want up at the bar,
Harry" suggested Spots, thin, tall,
bald-headed, hollow jawed, and hollow
eyed
There's no time to make the trip,
Jake" interposed SAVOY, nervous. 1.-The
races are pretty near over, and the
trick ridin' comes next"
"No matter" interposed Tension.
'I'n borrow a couple hundred from
Harry Boland"
why, Boland's backin' the Gunlock
outfit"
"All the better. I'd just like to dou-
ble-crOss the . :"
Within the next five minutes he was
talking to Boland. whats next on the
program" asked the Medicine Bend
gambler after the preliminaries.
'"Trick rdin'," said Boland.
"Chance to pick up any money on
IT."
Sure, If you can place any money.
Bet on McCrossen, ridin' for Gunlock."
"The rustler?"
Hell, he's foreman at Gunlock
now"
II suppose Van Tambel wouldn't feel
easy II he had an honest man stealin'
for him. All right. II you say it's Nc
Crossen, lend me couple of hundred,
Harry. I'd like to make my fare Nd
here, anyway"
Boland counted out two hundred dol
lars and handed IL over. Tension hand
ed half Of 1t back to Boland, Put this
on McCrossen for me-I'If see II can
place the rest on him myself. Who's
rldin' against him7"
1.-TWO or three buckaroos. The Circle
Dot outfit have entered young fellow
we'll clean 'em, same as we did yes
terday," predicted Boland.
II heard about that-suckers will
always fall for 1t, Harry. Well, I'll 20
over and talk to SAVOY and Lefever-
see II they got any money left-maybe
I can get a small bet"
Boland was fat and short. He never
breathed easily; but he would not have
been able to breathe at all II he had
heard the next talk between Tension
and SAVOY.
SLOW does 1t look to you, HarryT'
blurted out SAVOY.
Like many things have looked be-
fore takin'; they don't always look 20
good after. Here's Jake's four hun
dred. I'm addin' six hundred-thst