The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-09-10

nobleman travelling incognito; others
that he was an Eastern capitalist who
had come out West with the intention
of establishing a mandatory. Every
| citizen of Bushvillc was ready to advO-
cate the manufacturing qualities Of the
town. A Western town is good
point for manufacturing; buG some-
how Eastern capitalists can not be
made to see their advantages.
Dave Black, the merchant was sOn>
suited frequently, but he could only
advance his theory. Dave Black was
about forty years of age, and like all
village merchants was regarded as
walking newspaper, philosopher and
dissemination Of knowledge to all the
country round.
s.Do We know who he is. Davef"
asked Bill Martin, as he stood leaning
one elbow on the counter.
"What do yc mcan?" asked the mer-
chant
"Why, the stranger what's stoppin'
at Brewster's tavern!
"rvc got my theory"
swell, what's yer theory, Dave?"
1--WE can'tsay we know any thing fur
certain. We know"
20, yes, but who is hep"
81 don't know; he hasn't told any
one his name. We know"
SWELL, what's his business?"
'rve only got suspicion as to that "
'What is your suspicion?"
HE is one of two things"
"What are they?"
"He is either a rich millionaire. lots
O. money, who is prospectin' around
an goin' to do a big business here. or
he's detective after some poor cuss or
other"
Bill started as if a new idea, and one
not altogether pleasant, had struck
him.
"a detective" he said, recovering
himself Immediately. "What business
do you suppose detective can have
here? who's he after?''
"No one is suppose to know that.
Them chaps usually keep their secrets
to themselves. May be you could think
of some one in your own neighborhoOd
who comes in under suspicious circum-
stances" said Dave.
don't know any one" answered
Bill, somewhat puzzled. Then bright
ening up in moment, he added:
but thar is one Teller in our section
regarded as ruthcr suspicious"
"Who is hep"
"Walter BrOwnfield he calls HIM
self. an he works for Jim Miles.
where's he from?"
Queenstown, / hurd."
How long since?"
"About month ago"
'D'ye know what business he was in
there?"
''Clerking in Joe Brewster's store, 1
heerd."
..ln Joe Brewster's store! Well, 1
know Joe Brewster very well, an if
the teller is runaway he'll tell me all
about it."
eff ye'd write to him he might in
form We, said Bill.
"rn do it. I'll write this very day"
"But say, Dave?"
"Wcll. Bill. what is it?"
don't ever hint that sed word
bout it, We know. I'm poor workin'
Teller. We know. an don't want to do
any teller wrong, or make any cne-
mics"
II understand you. Bill, and I'll not
mention your name in the affair at all. "
| As Bill walked away the merchant
solilOquized with himself.
Jim Miles is an old customer of
mine. and if he is harbOring thief and
l find it out l shall make it my business
to tell him."
Bill Martin strolled about the streets
l 1,o
''Hcv ye heerd about the stranger.
Jack?" he asked.
1.-The old Teller what's . stopuin' at
Brcwstcr's?"
The same"
"Ycs"
"Well what hcv ye hcerd bout
him?"
..Some say he's a forty-nincr from
California, returned with a heap O.
money in gold coin and dust" said
Jack Hawkins.
"And some say he's detective sent
to hunt some one out" added Bill.
s.Who dye think he'd be after?''
asked Jack. Bill locked at his COM
panion with a knowing grin and said:
ut might be that he's come to make
us trouble. Jack"
"Nonsense. Bill. yer gittin' nervous. v
'But 1 tell We. Jack, one term at the
pen 'ud make anybody nervous"
'.Ive made up my mind" with an
air of braggadocio ''never to serve in
the pen; when the officers of the law
take me it Ill be when I'm dead"
| The two men were sitting on an up
turned wagon box that lay in an open
lot in the rear of the blacksmith shop.
There was no one within ear-shot and
they spoke in low tones, so as not to
be overheard.
1t was Saturday, and many of the
people from Preston Flat were in Bush
vile, either making purchases for the
coming week, or spending holiday.
The one theme of gossip by all was the
stranger. The two Unlocking mer
who were sitting on the wagon-box in
the open lot had fair view of the tav.
ern. They saw rather stout gentle
man. forty-five or fifty years Of age
vet with a robust frame, come from the
house and stand upon the low porch
He was smoOth-shaven, with high
forehead, gray eyes and benevolent
expression on his face.
.That's him." said Jack.
"Do you know him?" asked Bill
81 do"
"Who is he? What is hep"
i. "He's a returned Californian"
"With the .yeller boys?"
4 Eyes, by the thousands"
"DO ye know for sure?"
do"
"When did you learn all this,