6 THE CHINESE MANDARIN. He sits on the shelf by the little blue clock. And nods his head when tt says "tick, tock," For tho' not a word of English he knows, lti s polite from his queue to the tips of his toes. There's a far-away look in his slanting eyes. Is he dreaming, I wonder, of sunnier skies, Of cherry blooms and fragrant tea In a flowery land across the sea? Of tall bamboos asway In the wind, And a dark-eyed sweetheart left behind; Of a golden moon and fireflies' glow. And lanterns hung In branches low? Ah me! who knows or who can tell What sorrows In his bosom dwell? Hut a dear, brave-hearted little Chinee Is this mandarin quaint from the land of tea. For he says not a word as he sits and dreams Of the music of birds and silver streams, lint hiding his grief from the little blue clock. Gaily nods when it says "tick, tock." —Olo Smith, in Good Housekeeping. Li n GAMBLING [ WITH FATE By WILLIAM WALLACE COOK Author of "Th« Oold Oletnrr*: A Storj of the aolde 'i .. . , "Ui« Kri-ii i th«* Kncrmy," "ltogera mmmM of BulU'," Etc., Kto. V ✓ ( Copyright, lIHKi, t>y William Wallace Cook) CHAPTER II. — CONTINI'EI). Picking up the weapon, Darrel a spring and turned the barrel down, revealing the cylinder. Six cartridges nestled murderously under bis eyes. He listened intently. The scratch, scratch of the clerk's pen came to hint monotonously. One by one he extracted the car tridges and then, by means of a sharp pointed steel letter opener he embed ded deeply in each leaden slug the ini tial "M." To replace the cartridges and return the revolver to its original place by the inkwell took but a mo ment. Next, Darrel recovered the pen and continued his writing. "In the event that Mr. Nathan Dar rel, in whose pocketbook this message is placed, should be made a victim of foul play, he respectfully suggests the following for the coroner's considera tion: First —The fact that Lester Mur gatroyd lias sworn to shoot Nathan Darrel on sight. Second—The fact that a covert at tack has ever been preferred by Lester Murgatroyd to a meeting in the open. Third —The fact that the bullets in Lester Murgatroyd's revolver have been marked with the letter "M."—Note: The letter "M" might be mistaken for "W" and technicalities have more than once saved Murgatroyd. A word to the wise, etc." Folding the sheet Darrel placed it in a red Morocco purse taken from his breast pocket. Immediately after wards he got up and passed into the other room. "Get through?" asked the sallow laced young man. "Yes," said Darrel. With a pleasant "good afternoon" he left the office and turned his steps in the direction of one of the two hotels which the town boasted. CHAPTER IH. DARREL'S GAME AT HAWKBILL'S. Properly equipped with a stony dis regard for human greed and frailty, any observer could have loitered in Hawkbill's on and after ten p. m.and been certain of exciting entertainment. A philosopher of another school might have seen more than enough to point a moral and adorn a tale and perhaps have retreated with a discouraged sense of man's inhumanity toman. Darrel could be indifferent and hard, or sympathetic and yielding. Deep in his heart was ever a feeling that stirred at another's misfortune and his moods varied with the characters of the players as well as with the play. He stood close to a table, facing the door and dividing his attention be tween the fall of the cards and the men who entered. An old, old game familiarly known as "two pluck one" was in progress, wherein a pair of merciless campaigners were taking money from a beardless and rash youth who sat between them. Cheating, on the part of the gam blers, was constant and flagrant. But (lie boy had eyes for only his own cards and was playing with absorbed and tremulous intensity. "They'll have headlines on me in the eastern papers," he recklessly averred, "unless I make a big winning to-night." "There's no telling when the luck 'il turn,." answered one of the gam blers insinuatingly, "shifting a cut" with lightning quickness. "It's all chance, you know. Up to now I've won, but from this out it may be your turn." The youth clenched his teeth and whitened, for he had a loser's grudge against a winner's assumed superior ity. He wagered the last of his money a dozen crisp bills marked with a *'C" in one corner. He lost. Rising from the table with the quiet remark, "I'm done, gentle men," he walked steadily out into the darkness, far beyond the glare of the /red lamps. It was the old stofy of the moth and Ihe flame. Darrel knew it well, but j?«t so well that familiarity bred any- thing hut deeper and more consuming pity. He was at the youth's back in time to snatch a six-shooter from his con vulsive hand. "Come, come," he said, as the boy gave a startled cry and turned on him. "Where is your manhood, young fel low?" "Manhood!" was the bitter response, "ask the red, white and blue chips at Hawkbill's. Give me that, or by—" With a plunge he sought to catch the weapon and tear it from Barrel's grasp. "Softly!" warned the other, clutching his hand. "If I get your money back for you will you promise never to touch another card so long as you live?" "Who are you?" gasped the youth. "My money is gone and I am ruined. How can you get it back for meV" "Follow me and you will find out. As to who I am, that is beside the question. Have 1 your promise?" "Yes; but I should like —" "Here's your revolver. I'd throw it away, if 1 were yon." Darrel pushed the weapon into the young man's hand, turned sharply and retraced his steps to Hawkbill's. The two gamblers were still at. table. What Darrel purposed doing called for skill and courage. Both qualities were his and he sought the issue with that airy confidence to which others Ijad often attributed his success. It was by meddling in a somewhat similar way that he bad earned the hatred ot Murgatroyd. Yet that had not cured him of the dangerous habit. He had observed the gamblers care fully. One was past middle age and had iron gray hair and beard; the other was but little older than the man they had victimized. "Well, Sturgis," the younger man was saying as Darrel came up, "if we could find some one else with a roll this night's work would break the rec ord." "You're never satisfied, Cliff," re turned Sturgis, tossing off the contents of a glass just brought by a waiter. "May I sit in with you, gentlemen?" inquired Darrel, pleasantly. At that moment he looked the un sophisticated and ingenious eastern gentleman, caring nothing for a little "NOW THEN, MY BUCK," CRIED A VOICE WITH PASSION, "WE'LL SETTLE OUR DIFFERENCES MAN TO MAN." money and desirous only of whiling away the time. As he spoke, he dis played a large roll of bills. "I had thought of quitting," said Sturgis, shooting a glance at his con federate, "but still, if you want a round, I guess I could accommodate you. Do you want to take a hand?" he added, carelessly, to the other gam bler. "I might," returned Cliff, with ap parent reluctance. "I'm not having much luck to-niglit, though." "Three will make it more interest ing," observed Darrel, dropping into a chair that placed him so he could still watch the entrance. Thereupon the playing began, the youth whose battle Darrel was fight ing, approaching the table and watch ing eagerly. Darrel allowed the two harpies to win enough of his money to give them confidence, then careless ly proposed that they play for a stake consisting of all the money they had about them. Certain of winning, the other two agreed, and from that moment to the end of the game Darrel showed him self the veteran player he was. Stur gis purposely dealt him three aces and himself four queens, the younger man dropped out in feigned despair and Darrel plucked a diamond stud from his shirt and laid it on the heap of gold and silver. From various parts of the room a general movement of the idly curious had set in towards that particular table, which made it necessary for Darrel to request, in his politest tones, that those between the table and the door should draw aside in order that he might watch for the entrance of "a man he was waiting for." The request was complied with. Be hind his chair Darrel could hear the sharp, tense breathing of the boy. Sturgis asked hovr much the diamond stud was worth and, when informed, borrowed SSOO from Hawkbill Hen derson, S2OO to meet Darrel's bet and s.'loo to "raise" him. Darrel took a magnificent watch from his vest pock et, the gold case studded with gems. "I am a stranger here," said he, quietly, "and this is as far as I can go. What have you?" Sturgis exultantly spread out his four queens. Darrel laid down four kings and an ace. "Take your money," said he, turning to the boy. A growl f»f rage came from Sturgis. Catching up Ins opponent's discard, he turned the pasteboards over. "Tricked!" he shouted, springing erect. "lie Lad three acos and di - CAMKRON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1904 carded two! Hawkbill, I demand the stakes." Henderson, red-faced, bull-necked and corpulent, swaggered closer. "This place is on the square," he said wheezingly to Darrel, "and if you've juggled the cards the stakes go to Sturgis." Leaning forward with a quick move ment, Darrel swept his hand under the edge of the table in front of Stur gis. Sturgis tried to stop the hand, but was not quick enough. The hand reappeared with a small, nickel-plated contrivance known as a table "hold out." A murmur passed through the crowd. "Sturgis has been using that, all evening," remarked Darrel, coolly. "He cheated that boy out of his money and—" With an imprecation, Sturgis hurled himself towards Darrel, a gleaming object in his mind. Hawkbill threw himself in the way and ordered Sturgis to keep back. It was evident that the baffled gam bler had friends who would rally to his side and Darrel swept the stakes into his hat, clapped the hat on his head and caught the boy by the arm and hurried him out. At the hotel the young man's money was returned to him. Tears stood in his eyes as he thanked Darrel and the latter, gruffly bidding him remember his promise, went out into the dark street intent on returning to Hawk bill's and waiting for Murgatroyd. CHAPTER IV. DARREL'S ENCOUNTER WITH STURGIS. As time mellows the perspective of past events, so it blurs and modifies the characters of those who made them. Much of the glory of Anaconda has departed and Sandy Bar has gone the way of the "played out" mining camp, yet tradition deals generously with the exploits of Nate Darrel—often too generously. The strange features of his feud with Murgatroyd were sufficiently incred ible in cold truth; and when the out line of the facts faded with a lapse of years, imagination was drawn upon to sharpen the reminiscences. The added material was not always to Dar rel's credit. Yet 110 one who now remembers Dar rel will ever tell you that he tried to be anything but a gentleman. If the part was beyond him, it was solely the fault of his unfortunate vocation. In any other walk of life his sterling qualities of mind and heart would have claimed their tribute of respect and so cial position. A man who believed that his fate was of his own making could hardly have been ignorant of this; but passion for play was too deeply in grained in his nature. The notoriety he had courted and won, in any other profession would have been the mill stone that pulled him under. The recovery of the boy's money aptly illustrates Darrel's character. He could not see anything wrong in turning the tables on the blacklegs and it was a pleasure for him to be aide to do it. He played an "honorable" game; and he considered it honorable to worst a couple of sharpers at their own tac tics. As he made his way back along the straggling street toward Hawkbill Henderson's he was warily watchful. Recent events had taken his attention somewhat from his mafti purpose in coming to Sandy Bar and the murder ous Murgatroyd might be lurking any where in the shadows or dogging his steps. The wheezy tones of fiddles, guitars and a bass-viol, accompanied by hoarse shouts, laughter and a fall of dancing feet echoed from a building across the way. Other buildings along the street were aglare with light and rife with a clink of glasses, a rattle of poker chips and boisterous cries of drinkers and players. There were few 011 the street at that moment and Darrel passed rapidly on in the direction of the gambling place. Abruptly a form hurled itself across his path from a dark space between two shanties on his left. Instantly a revolver was in his hand. "Now then, my buck," cried a voice sharp with passion, "we'll settle our differences man toman." "We have no differences to settle, Sturgis," returned Dariel, relieved and not a little surprised. He was looking for Murgatroyd, not Sturgis. The gambler was in a blind, unrea soning fury. In the light of later events it was patent that Darrel had set a trap for him and beaten him and his confederate at their own game. When a man like Sturgis has such a grievance tliero is but one way in which the score can be settled. Stur gis was fiercely determined and Dar rel was quick to comprehend his peril. A flaring lamp in front of the dance hall opposite cast a dim light over the scene. The field was clear for the en counter, no one being abroad in the street apart from the two concerned. Rigidly erect the two men stood, re volvers ready and swinging at. their sides, their eyes alert and watching catlike each other's slightest move ment. "You're either the devil himself or else you're—Nate Darrel of 'Frisco," said Sturgis, between his teeth. "No man could play the game you did with out being one or the other. It was Darrel's discard you threw into the deadwood, and you sat between Cliff and me anil helped yourself to just what you wanted out of the pack." Darrel laughed a little at that. It wasn't the first time his phenomenal skill had led a gambler to confound him with the arch fiend. "You're a bungler, Sturgis," said he, "and have yet to learn the first rudi ments of your profession. I have taught you a lesson and if you want to live long enough to profit by it you'll put that gun in your pocket and take I yourself oIf." An exasperated cry foil from Stur gis' lips. Recklessly he threw himself forward, raising the six-shooter to a level with his eyes. There was no blood on Nate Darrel's hands. In his whole career he had never found it necessary to protect his life by taking another's. His ready wit and his wonderful strength—which his slight form in a manner belied —had times out of mind been his bulwarks of self-defense. He had a horror of bloodshed and carried a revolver in humble demonstration of the theory that leads great nations to build great navies—hoping to make the arbitrament of war still more remote. By coming to Sandy Bar in quest of Murgatroyd he had faced an issue at direct variance with his inclinations. He was well aware that fatalities were almost certain to result; if he were the victim, no aehing void would be left in the world, while if Murgatroyd 101 l the cause of humanity would be advanced. But he wanted no exchange of shots with Sturgis. He had threatened, but it was with the forlorn hope of avoid ing a clash. As the irate blackleg plunged for ward. Darrel threw himself to one side. At that precise moment a shot rang out from some point at Darrel's rear, a bullet fanned his cheek and Sturgis, with an agonized cry, tossed his hands in the air, reeled and fell face down ward on the sidewalk. Darrel was stunned by the sudden ness of the tragedy. In a second ho had whirled to look back up the street, but saw 110 one. Then he did the worst thing possible for himself by hastening to the prostrate form and making an examination. Sturgis was already dead. The bullet had penetrated his .heart and a stream of blood flowed from the wound and lormed a pool beneath him. The shot and the tortured cry of the dying man had aroused the people. From the dance hall they came on a run, and from Hawkbill's and other resorts a half-drunken mob charged for the scene. Darrel was found standing over Sturgis revolver in hand. Sturgis was dead and the habitues of Hawkbill's knew that Sturgis and Darrel had quarreled at cards. Only one inference was possible. Darrel drew it as quickly as those around him. "Where's the marshal?" he asked, his voice perfectly steady. His hand tightened a little on the revolver and he retreated slowly until his back was against the wall of the nearest building, the half circle of threatening faces in front. "We don't, need the marshal," said Cliff, savagely. "Jack Sturgis is dead and you're the one that killed him. Do we need the marshal, boys?" He appealed to the crowd. A snarl ing negative passed through the rank* of the crowd and the half circle be gan to contract. ITo He Continued.] RUFUS CHOATE'S ADVICE. ( liolorli* Client Concluded to Follow It it ml There Wan No Fur ther Troulile. It seems always to have lain within the power of the distinguished lawyer and humorist, Rufus Choate, to lead a choleric client from ways of anger into the paths of peace. Just before the war a southern gentleman was dining with a friend in one of the best hotels of Boston. He was of French creole extraction, and his name was Delacour, says a writer in Lippincott's Magazine. The waiter was a colored man, and the southerner gave his or ders in a very domineering fashion, finding fault freely with what was put before him and the way in which it was served. Finally the waiter be came incensed and told Mr. Delacour togo to a place warm and remote. The latter sprang furiously to his feet and would have shot the offender dead if he had not been restrained by his wiser friend, who said: "You can't do that sort of thing here. You will have to remember where you are." "Do you suppose that I am going to put up with such insolence and not be revenged?" said the enraged man. "Certainly not. But do it by pro cess of law." The landlord was first interviewed and the waiter discharged. That was not sufficient to satisfy the wounded feelings of Mr. Delacour. He asked who was the best lawyer in the city, and was told it was Rufus Choate. Making his way to his office, he said: "Mr. Choate, I want to engage you in a case. What will your retaining fee be?" "About $50." The check was made out and handed over. "Now," said the lawyer, "what are the facts of the case?" He was told. Said Mr. Choate, thoughtfully: "I know the United States law on the subject well, and I know the law of the commonwealth of Massachu setts, and I can assure you, sir, that there is no power 011 earth strong enough to force you togo to that place if you don't want to go. And if I were you I wouldn't." "Well," said the southerner, accept ing the situation, "I think I'll take jour advice," and they parted good friends. I'llfuvorn 1,1 e lmprefmlonft. Once upon a time a man, who was traversing the public highway, saw an automobile approaching him, and stood, intending to speak to the rider if he knew him; but when he saw that he was a stranger, he started on his way, though not quickly enough t<> get out. of the way of the machine, which struck him, bruising him quite severely. Moral —Strangers sometimes strika us unfavorably.—N. Y. Herald. A MICHIGAN MAYOR SAYS: " I Know Pe-ru-na is a Fine Tonic for a Worn Out System." Hon. 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With one per son the nerves are weak; another pers> >n, digestion poor; with others the blood is out of order; and still others have depressed spirits and tired feeling. All these things are especially true of those who have been suffering with GUARANTEED OT7RE for aJI bowel troubloi. appendicitis, biliousness, bad breath, bad blood, wind I on the stomach, foul mouth, headache. inditeHtion. pimples, palms after eating, liver trouble, N sallow complexion and dizziness. When/our bowels don't move regularly you are sick. . C«>n- ■ stipation kills moro people than all other diseases fcigethor. You will never get well and Rtay well ■ until you put your bowels right. Start with CASOARETB today under absolute guaranteo to cure H or money refunded. Sample and booklet free. Address Sterling Remedy Co., Chicago or Now York. I FREE to WOMEN A Large Trial Box and book of In structions absolutely Free and Post paid, enough to prove the value ot PaxtineToiiet Antiseptic § Pax tine is In powder form to dissolve In water non-poisonom an J fur superior to liquid antiseptics containing: alcohol which Irritates Inflamed surfaces, and have no cleansing; prop erties. The contentu of every bo* makes moro Antiseptic Solu gocß further—has more uses in tho family and doesrnor<-K°od than any antiseptic preparation The formula of a noted Boston physician, and used with great success as a Vagina! Wash, forLeucorrhcea, Pelvic Catarrh, Nasal Catarrh, Sore Throat, Sore Eyes, Cuts, and all soreness of mucus membrane. In local treatment of female ills Paxtine is invaluable. Used as a Vaginal Wash wo challenge the world to produce its equal for thoroughness. It is a revelation in cleansing and healing power; it kills all germs which cause inflammation and discharges. 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It docs not temporarily stimulate— it strengthens. It equalizes the circulation of the blood, tranquilizes the nervous system and regulates the bodily functions. Peruna, unlike so many spring medicines, is not simply a physic or stimulant or nervine. It is a natural tonic and invigorator. | If youdo not receive promptand satis factory results from the use of Peruna, i write at once to Dr. Hartinan, giving a full statement of your case, and he will be pleased to give you his valuable ad vice gratis. Address Dr. Hartman, President of The Ilartmuu Sanitarium, Columbus, i Ohio. jl I'p to date Cycling? t 1 j £2 j R MANUFACTtiSI Vc TWO-SPEED GEAR COASTER BRAKE B bicvcu^ t MOTHER CRAY'S SWEET POWDERS FOR CHILDREN, A OortaiaOur* for FevcriMhneaA* ('OIINI ipation, Hondache» Stomach Trouble*, Teetliiu* UiNordcrH, and I) ontror Mother Gray. Worm*. Theyllronk ui» C'olil* Nurse in Obiia- «n 34 houw. At-allil Wauls, Soct*. run> Home Samplo mailed FRBB. Address, aVow York Uity* A. S. OLMSTED. URoy. N Y. Saw mills The DoLoach Patent Variable Frlotlon Feed Saw MIV 9 with 4 h. p. ruts 2,000 feet per day. All sizes and prices to suit- Shingle Mills, I -leers. Trimmers, Planers. Corn and Buh* Mills, Water Wheels. Lath Mills, Wood Saws and Hay Presses. Our handsume new catalogue will interest you. DoLoach Mill Mfg. C«, Be* 837, Atlanta, Ce. 114 labtrtj bt., N«w York. W. I. XtoltA bi.. at. Leun, AX*. A. N. K.—C 2018
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers