Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-12-02

Wltu lneu ulInuenU announcement. lney
proceeded 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.
Il presume l have the pleasure of address
ing" began Mrs. Rightbody
The man directly opposite Mrs. Rightbody
turned to the other inquiringly.
The other man nodded his head, and re-
piled:
Seventy
Seventy five" promptly followed the
other.
Mrs. Rightbody paused, little confused
II have sent for you,' she began again,
"to learn something more of the circum-
stances under which you gentlemen sent a
dispatch to my late husband
"The circumstances, replied Seventy-four,
quietly, with side glance at his companion,
"panned out about in this yer style We
hung a man, named Josh Silsbie, down at
Dcadwood for boss stealin'. When l say ire,
| speak for Seventy-fve yer as is present,
as well as representa-, SO to speak, seventy
two other gents as is scattered. We hung
Josh Silsbie on squar', pretty squar', evidence
Afore he was strung up Seventy-five yer
axed him, accordin' to custom, eff Their was
emmy thing he had to say, or emmy request
that he allowed to make of u.s. He turns to
Seventy-five yer, and"
Here he paused suddenly, looking at his
companion.
"He sez, sez he, began Seventy-five, taking
up the narrative-"he seq, Kin / write a
letter? SEE he SEE l, Not much, ole man.
we've got no time SEE he, Kin 1 send dis
patch by telegraph | seq, 'Heave ahead
He sez-these is lis dientikal words-'Send to
Adam Rightbody, Boston. Tell him to re-
member his sacred compack with me thirty
years ago."
His sacred compack with me thirty years
ago." echoed Seventy-four-"hi dientikal
words"
"What was the compact!" asked Mrs Right
body anxiously.
Seventy-four looked at Seventy-iive and
then both arose and retired to the corner of
the parlor, where they engaged in a slow but
turned and sat down again.
1--WE allow" said Seventy-four, quietly but
decidedly, 'that you know what that sacred
compact was"
Mrs. Rightbody lost her temper and her
truthfulness together. "Of course" she said
hurriedly, II 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 Seventy-five both rose
again slowly and retired. When they re-
turned again and sat down, Seventy-five,
who by this time, through some subtle mag
netism, Mrs. Rightbody began to recognize as
the superior power, said gravely:
1--WE wish to say, regarding this yer muir
der, that Seventy four and me is equally re-
sponsible; that we reckon also to represent, so
to speak, seventy-two other gentlemen as is
scattered; that we are ready, Seventy-four
and me, to take and holt that responsibility,
now and at any time, afore every man or
men as kin be fetched agin us. We wish to
say that this yer say of ours holds good yer
in Californy, or in any part of these United
States
COR in Canady," suggested Seventy-four.
Cor in Canady We wouldn't agree to cross
the water, or so to furrin parts, unless abso-
lutely necessary. We leaves the chise of wep-
pings to your principal, maam, 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 handful stuck unto a tree near Dead
wood, saying that Seventy-four or Seventy
five win communicate with this yer princi-
pal or agent of yours, viii fetch us-allers"
Mrs Rishtbody, little alarmed and des-
perate, saw her blunder II mean nothing of
the kind" she said hastily. II only expected
that you might have some further details of
this interview with Silsbie; that perhaps you
could tell me'-a bold, bright thought crossed
Mrs. Rightbodys mind - something more
about her.
The two men looked at each other
II suppose your society has no oh ,ection
to giving me information about her'" said
Mrs Rightbody eagerly.
Another quiet conversation in the corner,
and the return of both men.
I'VE want to say that we've no objection. >
Mrs. Rightbody's heart beat high Her
holiness had made her penetration good. Yet
she felt She must not alarm the men heed
leSsly.
"Will you inform me TO what extent Mr..
Rightbody, my late husband, was interested
in hert"
This time it seemed an age to Mrs. Right
body before the men returned from their sol
emn consultation in the corner. She could
both hear and feel that their discussion wa.
more animated than their previous confer
ences. She was little mortified, however
when they sat down, to hear Seventy-foul
say slowly;
"We wish to say that we don't allow to say
hoe much.s