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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 1924)
Desert Dust By €dwiu L Sabin Author of “How Are You Feeling?” eta “No, sir. I never gamble.” “Wish 1 didn’t, but my name’s Jakey and I’m a good feller. Say, I’m supposed to be wise, too, but they trimmed me two hun dred dollars. Now I’m gettin’ out.” He groaned. “Take the train in a few minutes. Hasn’t risk myself on the street again. Sent my baggage down for fear I’d lose that. Say,” he aded, ^v.atehiug me, “looks like you was Sgoin' out yourself. One of them surveyor fellers, workin’ for the railroad ?” » “It cii^lit be so, sir, ’ I replied. He half sat up. “You’ll want to throw a leg, I bet. Lome tell you. It’s a hell of a town but it’s got some fine wimen; yes, and a few straight banks, too. You ’re no crabber or piker; l can see that. You go to the North Star. Tell Frank that Jakey sent you. They’ll treat you white. Yon be sure and say Jakey sent you. But for Gawd’s sake keep out of the Big Tent.” “The Big Tent!” I uttered. “Why so?” “They’ll sweat you there,” he groaned lugubriously. “Say, friend, could you lend me twenty dollars? You've still got your roll. I ain’t a stivver. I’m busted flat." “I’m sorry that I can’t ac comodate you, sir,” said I. “I have no more money than will see me through—and according to your storv perhaps not enough.” “I’ve tohl you of the North Star. You mention Jakey sent you. You’ll make more than Your twenty back, at the North Star,” he urged inconsistent. “If it hadn’t been for that damn ed Big Tent—” and he flopped with a dismal grunt. By this time, all the while con scious of his devouring eyes, I had changed my clothing and now stood equipped cap-a-pie, with my hat clapped at an angle, and my pantaloons in my boots, and my red silk handkerchief tastefully knotted nt my throat, and my six-shooter slung; and I could scarcely deny that in my own eyes, and in his, l trusted, I was a pretty figure of a West erner who would win the approv al, as seemed to me, of My Lady to Black or of any other lady. His reflection upon the Big Tent, however, was the fly in my ointment. Therefore, preening und adjusting with assumed care lessness I queried, in real con cern : “What about the Big Tent? Where is it? Isn’t it respect able?” “Respectable? Of course it’s respectable. You don’t ketch your Jakoy in no place that ain’t. I’ve a family to think of. You ain’t been there? Say! There’s where they all meet, in that Big Tent; all the best people, too, you bet you. But I tell you, friend--” He did not finish. - An upror sounded above the other street clamor: a pistol shot, and another -—a chorus of hoarse shouts and shrill frightened cries, the scurry ing rush of feet, all in the street; and in the hall of the hotel, and the lobby below, the rush of still more feet, booted, and the din of excited voices. My man on the bed popped with the agility of a jack-in-the box for the window. “A fight, a fight! Shootin’ esrape!” In a single motion grabbing coat and hat be was out through the door and peltiug down the ball. Overcome by the jest of the moment I pelted after and with several others plunged as madly upon the porch. We lhad left the lobby deserted. The shots had ceased. Now a fcay'mg mob ramped through the street, with jangle “Hang him! \Iang him! String him up! Borne on a histerical company 1 imw, first a figure bloody-chested and inert flat in the dust, with stooping figures trying to raise him; then, beyond, a man bare headed, whiskered, but as white as death, hustled to and fro from clutching hands and suddenly forced in firm grips up the street, uhile the mob trailed after, who oping, cursing, shrieking, flour There were women as well as men in it. All this turned me sick. From the outskirts of the throng I tramped back to my room and the bath. The hotel was quiet as if emptied; my room was vacant —and more than vacant, for of my clothing not a vestige remain ed! .My bag also was gone. Worse yet, prompted by an inner voice that stabbed me like an 10 icicle I was awakened to the knowledge that every cent I hadj possessed was in those vanished garments. For an instant I stood para lyzed, fronting the calamity. I could not believe. It was as if the floor had swallowed my be longings. I had been absent not more than five minutes. Surely this was the room. Yes, Number Six; and the beds were familiar, their tumbled covers unaltered. Now I held the bath-room re sponsible. The scoundrel in the bath had heard, had taken ad vantage, made a foray and hid den. Out I ran, exploring. Every room door was wide open, evjry apartment blank; but there was a splashing, from the bath—I listened at the threshold, gcniy tried the knob—and received such a cry of angry protest that it sent me to the rightabout, j tiptoe. The thief was not in the Datn. My heart sank as I bolted down for the office. The clerlj had re instated himself behind the coun ter. He composedly greeted e, with calm voice and with eyes that noted my costume. “You can have your bath as soon as the porter gets back from the hanging, sir,^’he said. ‘‘ That is, unless you prefer to hurry up by toting your own water. The party now in will be oua direct ly.” “Never mind the bath,” I ut tered, breathless, in a voice that I scarcely recognized, so piping and aghast it was. “I’ve been robbed—of money, clothes, bag gage, everything!” “Well, what at?” he queried, with a glimmer of a smile. “What at? In my room,I tell you. I had just changed to try on these things; the street fight sounded; I was gone not five minutes and nevertheless the room was sacked. Absolutely sacked.” “That,” he commented evenly, ‘ * is hard luck. ’ ’ “Hard luck!” Ihotly reoined. “It’s an outrage. But you seem remarkably cool about it, sir. What do you propose to do?” “I?” He lifted his brows. “Nothing. They’re not my val uables.” “But this is a respectable hotel, isn’t it?” “Perfectly; and no orphan asylum. We attend strictly to our business and expect our guest to attend to theirs.” “I was told that it was safe for me to leave my things in my room. ’ ’ “Not by me, sir. Read that.” And he called my attention to a placard that said, among other matters »•“ We are not respon sible for property of any nature left by guests in their rooms.” “ Where’s the chief of police?” I demanded. “You have officers here, I hope.” “Yes, sir. The marshal is the chief of police, and he’s the whole show. The provost guard the post helps out when neces sary. But you’ll find the marshal at the mayor’s office or else at the North Star gambling hall, three blocks up the street. I don’t think he’ll do you any good, though; He’s not likely to bother with small matters, especially when he’8 dealing faro bank. He has an interest in the North Star. You’ll never see your property again. Take my word for it.” “I won’t? Why not?” “You’ve played the gudeon for somebody; that’s all. Easiest thing in the world for a smart gentleman to slip into your room while you were absen, go through it, and make his getaway by the end of the hall, out over the kitchen roof. It’s been done inanv a time.” “A traveling salesman saw me dressing. He went out before me but he might have doubled,” I gasped. ‘ ‘ He had one of the bed— who is he 1 ” “1 don't know him, sir. “A round-bellied, fat-faced man—^old groceries and playing cards. ’ * “There is no such guest in your room, sir. You have bed Number One, bed Number Two is assigned to Mr. Bill Brady, who doubtless will be in soon. Number Three is temporarily vacant.” “The man said he was about to catch the train east,” I pursu ed desperately. “A round-bellied, fat-faced man in pink striped shirt—” “If he was to catch any train, that train has just pullied out.” “And who was in the bath, ten or fifteen minutes ago?” “My wife, sir; ana still there. She has to take her chances like everybody else. No, sir; you've been done. You may find your clothes, but I doubt it, You are are next upon the bath list.” And beenm dutyr. havebn cb he became all business. “The porter will carry up the water and notify you. You are allowed twenty minutes. That is satis factory t” A bath now! “no, certainly not,” I blurted. “I have no time nor inclination for a bath, at present. And,” I faltered, ashamed, “I’ll have to ask you to refund me the dollar and a half. I haven’t a cent.” “Under the circumstances I can do that, although it is against our rules,” he replied. “Here it is ,s ir. We wish to accommo date.” “And will you advance me twenty dollars, say, until I shall have procured funds from the EaRt?” I ventured. „ A mask fell over his face. He slightly smiled. “No, sir; I cannot. We never advance money.” But I ve got to have money, to tide me over, man,” I pleaded. “This‘dollar and a half will bare ly pay for a meal. I can give you references——” “From Colonel Sunderson, may I ask?” His face was poised tentatively. “No, I never saw the Colonel before. My references are East ern. My father-” “A? a gentleman, the Colonel is 0. K.,” he smoothly Interrupt ed. “I do not questionhisintegri ty, nor your father ”s. But we hever advance ffioliey" It is against the policy of the house.” “Has my trunk come up yet?” I queried. “Yes, sir. Tf you’d rathef have it in your room—■—” “ In my room !” said I. “No! else it might wa*k out the hall window, too. You have it safe?” “Perfectly, except in case of burglary or fire. It is out of the weather We are not responsible for theft or fire, you understand. Not in Beuton.” “Good Lord!’” I ejaculated, weak. ‘ ‘ You have my trunk, you say? Very good. Will you ad 'ance me twenty dollars and keep the trunk as security? That, I think, is a sporting propo sition.” He eyed me up and down. “Are you a surveyor? Con nected with the road?” *“*' “No.” 1 “What is your business, then?” “I’m a damned fool,” I confess ed. “I’m agudgeon—I’m a come-on. In fact, as I’ve said before, I'm out looking for my health, where it’s high and dry.” He smiled. “And high and dry I'm landed in short order. But the trunk’s not empty. Will you keep it and lend me twenty dol lars? I presume that trunk and contents are worth two hundred.” I’ll speak with the porter,” he answered. By the lapse of time between his departure and his return he and the gnome evidently had hefted Jthe trunk and viewed it at all angles. Now he came back with quick step. “Yes, sir. We’ll advance you twenty dollars on ^our trunk. Here is the money, sir.” He wrote and passed me a slip of paper also. “And your receipt. When you pay the twenty dollars, if within thirty doys, you can have your trunk.” tunately cmfw mfw fw wyp mfin “And if not?” I asked un comfortably. ‘ We shall be privileged to dis pose of it. We are not in the pawn business, but we have tninks piled to the ceiling in our storeroom, left by gentlemen in embarrassing circumstances like yours.” I never saw that trunk again, either. However, of this, more anon. At that juncture I was only too glad to get the twenty dollars, pending the time when I should be recouped from home; for I could see that to be strand ed “high and dry” in Benton City of Wyoming Territory would be a dire situation. And I could not hope for much from home. It was a bitter dose to have to ask for further help. Three years returned from the war my father had scarcely yet been enabled to gather the loose ends of his former affairs. “Now if you will direct me to the telegraph office-1” I sug gested. ‘ ‘ The telegrap£_Benton is the Union Pacific rauroad line,” he informed; and that is open to on ly Government and official busi ness. If you wish to Bend a pri vate dirpatch you should forward it by post \o Cheyenne, one hund red and seventy-five miles, where ; it will bo put on the Overland branch line for the East by way of Denver. The rate to New York is eight dollars, prepaid.” I knew that my face fell. Eight dollars would make a large hole in my slender funds—I had been foolish not to have borrow | ed fifty dollars on the trunk. So I decided to write instead of tele graph; and wit hihm watchin me I endeavored to speak lightly. “Thank you. Now where will I find the place known as the Big Tentf” He laughed with peculiar em phasis. “If you had mentioned the Big Tent sooner you’d have g-ot no twenty dollars from me, sir. Not that I’ve anything against it, understand. It'sail right, every body goes there; perfectly legiti mate. I go there myself. And you may redeem your trunk to morrow and be buying cham pagne.” “I am to meet a friend at the Big Tent,” I stiffly explained. “Further than that I have no business there. I know nothing whatever about it.” “I beg your pardon, sir. No offense intended. The Big Tent is highly regarded—a great place to spend a pleasant evening. All Benton indulges. I wish you the best of luck, sir. You are heeled, I see. No one will take you for a pilgrim.” Despite the assertion there was a twinkle in his eye. “You will find the Big Tent one* block and a half down this streetj You cannot miss it.” THE COMFORT OF COURAGE. He thanked God and took courage. —Acts, 28:16. Courage is a comfortable virtue. It Alls the soul with Inward peace and strength; In fact, this is Just what it Is—courage is simply strength of heart. Subjection to fear Is weakness, bondage, feverish unrest. To be afraid is to have no soul that we can call our own;It Is to be at ths beck and call of alien powers to be chained and driven and tormented; It is to lose the life Itself In the an xious care to keep It. Many people are so afraid to die that they have never begun to live. But courage emancipates us and gives us to ourselves, that we may give ourselves freely and without fear to God. How sweet and clear and steady Is the life Into which this virtue enters day by day, not merely In those great flashes of excitement which come In the moments of crisis, but In the pre sence of the hourly perils, the con tinual conflicts. Not to tremble at the shadows which surround us, not to shrink front the foes who threaten us, not to hesi tate and falter and stand despairing still among the perplexities and trials of our life, but to move steadily on ward without fear, if only we can keep ourselves without reproach—surely, that Is what the Psalmist meant by good courage and strength of heart, and It is a most comfortable, pleasant peaceful, and happy virtue. Strange ideas prevail with some people as to the functions of the League of Na tions. In more than one oountry It is regarded aa a tourist agency. A Scots* man wired from Glasgow asking ths League to reserve a room and bath In the best Geneva hotel and buy him a ticket to Rome. An American cabled ask ing for the names of good American dentlata in Milan and The Hague, "as ha would soon visit those cities.’’ of cases." Regimental Songs. From the Boston Transcript. The morale-inspiring power of music has been known to military leaders elnce ancient times. Not only in battle, but in peace also the stirr ing notes of the trumpets and the martial aire of bands have been of value in keeping the soldier of stout heart and of good cheer. What a spell there is in the strains of a Scotch bagpipe! During the World war "Tipperary,” "Over There," “Pack Up Your Troubles,” “Madelon” and the "Sambre et Meuse March” made a contribution to the cause of Allied victory whose magnitude perhaps has never been fully ap praised. A soldier’s life, whether in peace or in war, without music, is hardly conceivable. It Is a sovereign destroyer of hardships. There is nothing like the regimental band to make a hard march easier, - and rob the “last long mile” of much of its terrors. Appreciating ths power of music. Secretary Weeks, according to a Washington despatch to the World, has sought to encourage the composi tion and the adoption by every reg iment of the Army of a regimental song. Regimental commanders have I been asked to co-operate in this ob ject, and do everything in their pow er to encourage officers and men In their command to submit the words and the music that might be suita ble for the regimental song. It is rare to find a military organization that does not have in It men with musical talent, as well as talent of nearly every other kind. The army must have In its ranks many a com poser whose light need no longer be hid under a bushel. The composer of the regimental song, indeed, should be a man of distinction. For he will contribute, in an effective way to the esprit dc corps and pride In or ganization. which are so necessary for the efficiency of the army. The Dispute In Chits. From the New York Times. The recent dispatches of Ths Times correspondent at Sanitago, Chile have been interesting in show ing the exact basis of the controversy between the President of the repub lic and the Senate. It is at bottom a constitutional dispute. The Senate passed a vote of censure against the Dovernment, and thereupon the Cab inet resigned. This is said to be in aocord with the practice for the past thirty years, but President Alessan dri contends that there is no real warrant for It in the Chilean consti tution. The Ministry, he argues, is not required to resign in consequence "SMiss oAmerica” ‘Declares Tanlac Wonderful Health (jiving Tonic A MU* Campbell in “Miss Amer ica” crown which she has won on two occasions. —Photo by Atlantic Poto Service. Miss Mary Katherine Campbell, twice proclaimed “Miss America,” has taken TANLAC and endorses it in a statement recently given to the women of America. 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