Litchfield enquirer., 1878-11-28
WHOLE NO. 2739

ssYes-contrudicted me, that's what mean Once when you said those rocks were volcan- ic once when you said the flower you picked was poppy. Ididnt let on at the time, for it wasn't my say but all the while you were talking might have laid for you" 'I don't understand you, said Alice haugh- 'I might have entrapped your before folks But only want you to know that Pm right, and here are the books to show it, r
 He drew aside the dingy calico curtain, re- vealing a small shelf of bulky books, took down two large volumes-one of botany, enc of geology sought his text and put them in Alices out-stretched hands. .-.
 'I had no intention--" she began, half proudly, half embarrassedly.
 'Am I right, miss?" he interrupted.
 'I presume you are, if you say so."
 ''That's all, ma'am! Thank you" Before the glrl had time to reply he was gone When he again returned, it was with her horse, and Mrs. RightbOdy and Ryder were awaiting her. But. Miss Alice noticed that his own horse was missing.
 'Are you not going with us ?" she asked.
 "No, ma'am."
 t'Oh, indeed" !"
 Miss Alice felt her speech was a feeble con ventionalism, but it all she could say. She, however, dSd something. Hitherto it had been her habit systematically to reject his assist ance in mounting oher seat. Now she await ed him. As he approached, she smiled and put out her little foot. He instantly stopped; she placed it in his hand rose with a spring, and for one supreme moment Stanislaus Joe held her unresstingly in his arms. The next moment she was in the saddle, but in that in- terval of sixty seconds she had uttered vol tune in single sentence:
 'I hope you will forgive mel" He muttered reply, and turned his face aside quickly as if to hide it. Miss Alice cantered forward with smile, but pulled her hat down ever her eyes as she joined her mother. She was blushing. PART H. MT. Ryder was as good as his word A day or two later, he entered Mrs. Rightbody's par Tor at the Chrysepolis Hotel in Stockton with the information that he had seen the mysteri- ous senders of the dispatch and that they were now in the office of thehOtel waiting her pleas ure. Mir. Ryder further informed her that these gentlemen had only stipulated that they should not reveal their real names, and that they should be introduced to her simply as the respective Seventy Four" and Seven tY-Five" who had signed the dispatch sent to the late Mir Rightbody.
 Mrs. Rightbody at first demurred to this; but on the assurance from Mr. Ryder that was the only condition on which an interview would be granted, finally consented.
 ''You will find them square men, even if they are little rough, maaIn but if you'd like me to be present, I'll stop; though reck- on if ye'd calkilated on that, you'd have had me take care O your business by proxy, and not come yourself three thousand mile to do it."
 Mrs. Rightbody believed it better to sec them alone.
 '.All right, ma'am. I'll hang round out here, and eff ye should happen to hev tickin' in your throat and bad spell O coughin', I'll drop in, careless like. to see if you don't want them drops. SG5e"
 And with an exceedingly arch wink, and slight familiar tap on Mrs. RightbOdy's shoul- der which might have caused the late Mr. RightbOdy to burst his sepulcher, he with drew.
 A very timid, hesitating tap on the door was followed by the entrance of two men, both of whom, in general size, strength, and uncouthness, were ludicrously inconsistent with their diffident announcement. They pro ceeded in Indian file to the center of the room, faced Mrs; Rightbody, acknowledged her deep courtesy by strong shake of the hand, and drawing two chairs opposite to her, sat down side by side.
 'I presume have the pleasure of addressing -" began Mrs. RightbOdy.
 The man directly opposite Mrs. Rightbody turned to the other inquiringly.
 The other man nodded his head, and re- piled:
 Seventy Four"
 Seventy Five" promptly responded the other.
 Mrs. Rightbody paused, little confused.
 '1 have sent for you, she began again, 'tO learn something more of thecircumstances un- der which you gentlemen sent a dispatch to my late husband"
 1.-The circumstances" !" replied Seventy Four, quietly, with a side glance at his companion, ''panned out about in this year style. We hung a man named Josh Silsbee down at Deadwood for hoss stealin'. When 1 say Soe, speak for Seventy Five, yer, as is presents well as representa-, so to speak, seventy-two ether gents as is scattered. We hung Josh Silsbee on squar, pretty squar', evidence. Afore he was strung up Seventy-Five, yer, axed him, accOrdin' to custom, of ther' was enny thing he had to say, or enny request that he allowed to make of us,. He turns to Sev- enty- Five, yer, and"
 . Here he paused suddenly, looking at his companion.
 ''He sez, sez he," began Seventy-Five, talk ing up the narrative, 'he sea- Kin write a letter P sez he. Sez I, Not much, ole man; ye've got no time Says he, Kin send dispatch by telegraphY I sez, 'Heave ahead He sez-these is his dientikal words-'Send to Adams Rightbody, Boston. Tell him to re- member his sacred cempack with me thirty years ago."
 '' His sacred compack with me thirty years ago." echoed SeVenty-Four. His dienti kal words"
 '''What was the compact ?''asked Mrs. Right body, anxiously.
 Seventy Four looked at Seventy Five, and then both arose and retired to the corner of the parlor, where they engaged in slow but whispered deliberation. Presently they re- turned and sat down again.
 We allow" said Seventy -Four, qu1tly but decidedly, ''that yOu know what that sacred compack was"
 Mrs. Rightbody lost her temper and her truthfulness altogether ''Of course" she said, hurriedly, '1 know. but do you mean to say that you gave this poor man no further chance to, explain before you murdered him:" !, Seventy Four and Seventv-Five both rose again slowly and retired. When they return ed agaln and sat down, Seventy Five, who by this time, through some subtle magnetism, Mrs. Rightbody began to recognize as the su- perior power, said gravely:
 ''We wish to say, regarding this yer murder, that Seventy-FOur and me is ekally responsi- ble. That we recon also to represent, so to speak, seventy two other g0nCIemen as is scat tered That we are ready, Seventy-Four and me, to take anS nolt that responsibility now and at cay time, afore every man or men as hin be fetched ag'in us. We wish to say that this yer say of ours holds good yer in Califor- ny or in any part of these United States"
 ''Or in Canady," suggested Seventy-Four.
 "Or in Canady. We wouldn't agree to cross the water or go to turin parts, unless absolutely necessary. We leaves the clise of weppings to your principal, ma'am, or being a lady, ma'am, and interested, to any one you may fetch to act for him. An advertisement in any of the Sacramento papers, or . play card or hand bill stuck onto tree near Dead wood saying that Seventy or Seventy Five will communicate with this yer principal agent of yours, will fetch us-allers.
 Mrs. Rightbody, a little alarmed and desper- ate, saw her blunder. ''I meant nothing of the kind" she said hastily. ''I only expected II